Lidia Varesco Design

08/31/2026

I’m excited to be part of Nonprofit ConnectionFest 2.0, an interactive virtual event designed for nonprofit professionals to learn, connect, and actually talk to people, not just sit through another webinar.

I’ll be moderating a panel discussion, Creating Digital Experiences That Convert with four fellow nonprofit marketers.

And make sure to stick around as Ill be presenting a 25-minute workshop, Nonprofit Branding That Connects & Converts, right after the panel.

Come for the ideas, stay for the connections!

Register at the link in the comments!

08/27/2026

Chicago Reader—or as we called it, just The Reader—was a big part of my early adulthood. It's been a while, but I picked up a copy of the weekly paper at my library recently and noticed they had rebranded and moved to a new format.

Any other Reader readers? What do you think of the new format?

'This is the start of something old.'

08/27/2026

Struggling with your first annual report? Join me September 9 for Design Your Story: Build Your Nonprofit Annual Report in Canva, an interactive workshop where we’ll take a finished annual report apart to see how content, visuals, and design work together. Then, you’ll use what you’ve learned to start planning and designing your own report in Canva.

Because a good annual report isn’t just information. It’s storytelling by design.

Hosted by CharityHowTo. Registration link is in the comments.

08/26/2026

Last weekend, I went to my first summer forest bathing session. I’ve attended during fall and winter, so it was a treat to see the forest filled with vibrant green leaves.

We always set an intention at the start of the session, and this time, I planned to take the peace of the forest with me into this first week of school for my kids.

But I quickly realized the sun had other plans.

Over the course of 2+ hours, it kept drawing my attention to different parts of the forest—from the way the hazy light shimmered on the Chicago River to how it moved and changed through the trees. In addition to peace, I left with a sense of awe and wonder.

Wonder often seems to be reserved for kids, but why?

The more we take the time to stop and notice the small things that make us say “wow,” the more creative, open and receptive we can be in our daily life. The key, of course, is taking the time.

Which is why I’m grateful my friend introduced me to our local forest bathing guide, Allison of Trees & Tranquility Forest Therapy. Without her guidance, I’m sure I wouldn’t slow down and notice nearly as much as I did this past weekend.

What made you stop in awe or wonder recently?

08/22/2026

This is why I completely unplug while on vacation: no email, no social media, no work. And my last vacation a week ago was no exception. No regrets! I always return rested and inspired.

08/20/2026

A two-hour online workshop is no joke, but we did it!

The last time I taught this CharityHowTo session on creating a nonprofit content calendar, I realized we needed more time so we extended it by 30 minutes. The extra time allowed me to present the material in two parts without rushing—plus we had more time for group brainstorming and conversations, which are always so valuable for everyone (especially me).

Thank you to everyone who spent their lunchtime with me!

08/16/2026

Planning your nonprofit’s content shouldn't be a guessing game. Join me THIS Wednesday for How to Build a Nonprofit Content Calendar That Drives Engagement and learn a simple, strategic process for planning content that supports your mission and connects with your audience.

In this hands-on workshop, you'll create a content calendar you can actually use, along with practical tools and templates to help keep your messaging organized, consistent, and on brand.

Hosted by CharityHowTo.com. Registration link is in the comments.

08/10/2026

Yesterday was National Book Lovers Day, a holiday close to my heart as I'm both an avid reader, as well as an aspiring author.

I recently spoke to Conspire Creative's author community about the importance of author branding and how to use a simple framework for building an author brand that actually works. HINT: Branding isn’t a logo, it’s a strategy.

See below to read more and use the framework.

Lidia Varesco Racoma's WHO, WHAT, WHY, and WHERE framework for building an author brand that actually works

08/07/2026

Today is Professional Speakers Day, a day I love to celebrate because my speaking career has taken me from COVID-era webinars to conference stages across the country.

Just this past spring, I spoke at the Bloomerang GiveCon fundraising conference in St. Louis. I was surprised by how much less nervous I felt compared with my last in-person conference appearance a few years earlier.

Like anything else, speaking is a skill you have to practice and develop. And just because I wasn’t as nervous doesn’t mean I stopped learning. Each talk—whether in person or virtual—gives me an opportunity to improve the next one.

Happy Professional Speakers Day to all my fellow speakers! Have you had a memorable speaking experience recently? Share the details below.

08/05/2026

Planning your nonprofit’s content shouldn't be a guessing game. Join me on August 19 for How to Build a Nonprofit Content Calendar That Drives Engagement and learn a simple, strategic process for planning content that supports your mission and connects with your audience.

In this hands-on workshop, you'll create a content calendar you can actually use, along with practical tools and templates to help keep your messaging organized, consistent, and on brand.

Hosted by CharityHowTo.com. Registration link is in the comments.