Big Sea

One of my very favorite jobs at Big Sea is serving as a marketing mentor to our clients. Many purpose-driven organizations rely on small marketing teams where talented people are asked to wear a lot of hats. A little outside guidance can help them clarify direction, positioning, and decision-making so their plans are more strategic and sustainable. In addition to the structured fractional CMO planning, I also get to be part of the quick-hit support — the calls, huddles, emails, and texts where we talk through the thinking behind the work in real time. Some topics I've tackled this week include: 👉 How to build a better narrative arc in an annual impact report 👉 How to sell necessary edits to an executive who doesn't love to be edited 👉 How to develop campaign creative concepts without photography of sensitive subjects 👉 How to format a workflow for better donor onboarding 👉 Whether to send an email now or wait until the new year 👉 How to spend the remaining budget for 2025 👉 Whether or not to invest in an another generative AI tool and how to roll it out to the team if so The real goal of this work is to make myself unnecessary. Helping these marketers grow into confident, strategic thinkers is the whole point (and honestly, the best part of the job is seeing them take the reigns). We call this service "Vision" and it includes both the Fractional CMO-style research, planning and strategy alongside the on-call thought-partnership for your marketing team. Want to work with me or the talented Laura Holloway in this way? We'd love to help you take your marketing to the next level in 2026 (so you don't need us in 2027). Message me, email me, comment here. (Pair Vision with our "Velocity" services and you've got both strategic guidance and a foot on the gas pedal of production.)

Imagine having access to $30,000 worth of expert marketing services designed specifically for organizations like yours that aim to make a positive difference. The Wavemaker Grant by Big Sea empowers nonprofits through strategic planning, digital marketing, and more. Together, let's create meaningful change while amplifying your message effectively.

Are you a purpose-driven organization seeking to amplify your impact? Big Sea's Wavemaker Grant offers $30,000 in professional marketing services tailored to your mission. From strategy and branding to website design and donor engagement tools, we provide the expertise you need to connect authentically with your audience and expand your reach. Don't miss this opportunity—apply now.

What could your organization do with $30k of strategic marketing support? The 2026 Big Sea Wavemaker Grant application is open. We’re seeking organizations advancing equity and improving outcomes for vulnerable communities. If that’s you, we want to hear your story.

There’s still time, but not much! The Wavemaker Grant deadline is Dec 15. If you know a nonprofit or social impact org with a game‑changing idea, now’s the time to nudge them to apply. This grant offers up to $30K of marketing services to help organizations make waves. Jonathan Goodman of Champions for Children, a past recipient, shared: "Big Sea really helped us pivot quickly to our new plan, which was to run all of our campaigns online only. Within two or three weeks, we had a whole social‑media driven campaign... and actually managed to raise more money than we had budgeted to raise!" Share this post. Tag a changemaker. Apply if it’s you: https://lnkd.in/en4RdVJn

Are you ready to take your nonprofit's outreach efforts to the next level? Big Sea specializes in creating compelling content and user-focused websites that drive engagement. Apply today for the Wavemaker Grant—a program crafted just for visionary leaders like you!