In this episode of the 7 Figure Fundraising Podcast, Trevor Bragdon breaks down a proven strategy nonprofit leaders are using to attract new donors: persuasive public speaking. Drawing from both personal experience and recent fundraising trends, Trevor explains why getting in front of the right audience can lead directly to meaningful donor relationships — but only when the message is structured to inspire action.

He introduces the Hand Framework, a five-part model designed to help leaders craft speeches that resonate. From defining the audience’s desired action to opening with a powerful hook, maintaining attention with clear structure, addressing objections, and delivering a frictionless next step, Trevor walks through the exact elements that turn presentations into fundraising opportunities.

Whether preparing for a conference talk or a donor pitch, this episode provides a practical blueprint for building persuasive content that motivates giving and deepens engagement.

Here's the link to the article talk about in the episode:

How to Create a Persuasive Speech: The Hand Framework

Here's a link to our handout:

Handout: 5-Part Persuasive Speech Template

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

What do you do when you're hit with a tough question—one you didn’t expect and don’t have a polished answer ready for?

Whether it’s a curveball in a donor meeting, a media interview, or a town hall Q&A, today's episode of the 7-Figure Fundraising Podcast breaks down three clear strategies you can use to stay composed and persuasive—even under pressure.

Trevor shares a memorable story from the Miss Teen USA pageant that became one of the first viral “word salad” moments on YouTube—and how most of us would probably stumble in similar high-stakes situations. From there, he walks through three tactics you can practice and deploy to answer confidently, clearly, and concisely.

What You’ll Learn

• The 3 go-to frameworks for answering tough questions:
  1. Two Points – A simple, structured response to organize your thinking.
  2. Story + Insight – A technique to connect emotionally and drive home a takeaway.
  3. Thinking Then and Now – A method for gracefully correcting misinformation.
• Why pausing for just a few seconds before responding can help you sound more thoughtful and credible.

Download the One-Page Cheat Sheet
Click here to download a quick reference guide to the three tactics you can print or keep at your desk. https://7figurefundraising.kit.com/f7370c2df6

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com

How many of you know a good story? One you've never forgotten—one that moved you, inspired you, or stuck with you long after you heard it. What made it so compelling?

In this clip, we dive into why stories are the lifeblood of an effective pitch and how you can find and frame great stories to persuade donors. Learn about:

• The Story Safe—a simple habit for collecting powerful stories
• The Story Buckets method for organizing and retrieving compelling narratives
• How to frame your story to maximize its impact

Want to get the full formula for crafting unforgettable fundraising stories? Get the book:

Paperback & Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/7-Figure-Fundraising-guide-millions-change/dp/B0DC8K1MRD/

Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/B0DJRSBL79?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006

To see all the show notes visit: https://www.7figurefundraising.com/podcast/

To learn more about fundraising and our training visit: 7FigureFundraising.com