Description

From Radio DJ to Nonprofit “Whisperer”: Rick Harris on Building Loyalty, Scaling Membership, and Driving Revenue With Intention

In this episode of Uncomplicate It!, I sit down with Rick Harris, CEO of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) and a 30+ year nonprofit veteran known for transforming organizations from struggling to thriving.

Rick’s career started behind the mic as a radio DJ where ratings were instant, competition was constant, and audience connection wasn’t optional. That foundation became his edge: listening like it matters, building loyalty on purpose, and creating the “next thing” before everyone else catches up.

At APMP, Rick scaled global membership from 3,000 to 14,000+ and grew profits from $800K to $4.5M while also pioneering early equal pay strategies and long-term inclusion work rooted in fairness and retention.

We cover:

• Why “word of mouth” is a byproduct not a growth plan
• The real secret of audience loyalty: listening back (not just broadcasting)
• How Rick engineered “bits,” competitions, and community moments that monetized without feeling salesy
• Scaling an association by widening the “slice” (and bringing in industries who didn’t know they were doing proposals)
• The power of a clear value proposition: don’t talk about you talk about what changes for them
• Email copy that converts: topical, measurable, and never copy/paste boring
• Revenue targets that work: strategic plan + action items + monthly measurement
• Equal pay as a retention strategy: remove negotiation games, pay the role, keep talent
• How to keep doing inclusion work even when the landscape gets loud

Key Takeaways:

• The work outside the “studio” (relationships + community) is what builds real growth
• If you say it, demonstrate it, prove it, and promote it people follow
• Competition isn’t just fun it’s a revenue engine when designed intentionally
• The best leaders don’t chase tactics they build plans they can execute and measure
• Fair pay and inclusive leadership aren’t “nice to have” they’re strategic

This is a practical, no-fluff episode for leaders who want to grow membership, revenue, and influence by listening better, leading smarter, and building communities that actually stick. 

Connect with Rick Harris:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-harris-9310392/

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