729. The 4-Step Formula to Get Your Mission Seen by Media, Partners, and Donors - Jenn DeBarge Goonan

Jenn DeBarge Goonan has sent thousands of pitch emails to editors, producers, and partners. She's distilled what works into four steps — and they work whether you're chasing press coverage, a corporate partner, or a major donor meeting.Jenn launched Lululemon into the U.S. market, built campaigns for Ben & Jerry's, and now runs JAG Communications, where she's spent 20 years making mission-driven work visible. 🩵In this episode, you'll hear:Step 1: Why every note has to be a one-of-one, and the 10 minutes of research that makes it landStep 2: Lead with connection, not credentials — including what to cut (the attachments, the links, the three paragraphs about your org)Step 3: Make one specific, realistic ask instead of three, and why "a 20-minute conversation" outperforms everything elseStep 4: Silence is not rejection — the "10% more value" follow-up that turned two dead pitches into TV coverageThe one-page message guide that has to exist before any of the four steps work — and how to build it this weekYou'll walk away with a repeatable formula for outreach that actually gets answered, plus the foundation that makes it credible. 🩵Episode Highlights:(2:44) From high school cheerleader to social impact cheerleader(4:48) Why passionate leaders end up sounding like word soup(5:30) The one-page message guide north star(7:22) How to build it: your ED first, then five anonymous interviews(9:43) Partnerships: find the overlap before you pitch(12:29) The 4-step formula, steps 1–3(15:33) Step 4: don't assume silence is rejection(16:41) The formula in action: two follow-ups, two placements(18:33) Social math, Substack, and the 57 million(20:23) Operation Warm: "This is my first coat ever"(22:58) One good thing: make it easy for people to help youEpisode Show Notes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/729Join us at The Spread!Givebutter's biggest innovation event of the year is here — The Spread, built entirely around co-creating with nonprofits like yours. 💛We Are For Good is joining forces with GB to host in-person hackathon meetups on Friday, Oct. 2, in New York, Seattle, LA, Denver, and Indianapolis, so you can build alongside other nonprofits in the community.Learn more and save your free spot today. //Join the We Are For Good Community—completely free.Join fellow changemakers, share takeaways from this working session, and keep collaborating in a space built for connection, inspiration, and real impact: www.weareforgoodcommunity.comSay hi 👋LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Twitter