WORK Net/Net: Always Be Closing
From Work with Erika Ayers Badan by Erika Ayers Badan
February 8, 2026 · 9 min
About this episode
In this episode, Erika discusses the parallels between fundraising and sales, emphasizing the importance of listening, being solution-oriented, and persistent effort.
First of all, Go Patriots. In today’s episode, we respond to David Rubenstein’s comments on being a great fundraiser. IMHO the fundamentals of being a great fundraiser are the fundamentals of being a great seller (and a great partner). Listening. Being solution oriented. Knowing your customer (or your audience). Having a point of view. Following up. Being present. Being willing to do the work to get things done. Fundraising is not magic. It is effort, clarity, and persistence. This is WORK. Net/Net. Watch full episode on YouTube. Get full access to Mule Media at erikaayersbadan.substack.com/subscribe
People in this episode
Host: Erika Ayers Badan
Topics covered
- fundraising
- sales
- customer engagement
- persistence
- effort
Keywords
- fundraising
- sales
- customer
- effort
- persistence
- listening
- solution oriented
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Mule Media, Patriots
More episodes of Work with Erika Ayers Badan
- WORK Conversations: Emily Tisch Sussman · March 20, 2026 · 23 min
- WORK Unsolicited Advice: More Money More Problems · February 11, 2026 · 12 min
- WORK Conversations: Meet Danielle Fette · February 9, 2026 · 24 min
- WORK Underlined: Narrative and Numbers · February 5, 2026 · 14 min
- WORK Conversations: It's All A Mess - Meet Emily Kirkpatrick · February 2, 2026 · 20 min
- WORK Net/Net: Gen Z Says Take Your Work Emergency and Shove It · February 1, 2026 · 7 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Work with Erika Ayers Badan podcast page.