Blog
This is the time of year when predictions and trends began to surface. What will the coming year look like for communications professionals? What issues will most impact our industry? They’re entertaining, but rarely mind-blowing.😏 I decided to focus instead on what is actually more meaningful to me: My hope for you — and for…
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In October, I attended the Spark with Luly B conference and was inspired by both the energy in the room and her intentional efforts to give women a voice. When a conference attendee shared her story, she said she was constantly asking herself “How dare I think that I could do XYZ”? Luly challenged her…
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There’s nothing I love more than a table full of family and friends discussing interesting topics around delicious food or drinks, so Thanksgiving has always been particularly meaningful for me. I’m not gonna lie – when my eyes were opened to the sadness the holiday represents for many Native Americans, it left a hole. I…
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If you’re like me, you’re already imagining the upcoming holidays. It’s been a crazy autumn and I’m ready for a serious slowdown. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about where I want to focus for the new year and have already put plans in place and hired support to help me get there. I’m…
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It’s the “spooky season,” but that doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of pushing back when senior leaders ask you to develop external communications about an issue or topic you know is not aligned with the reality of what’s happening inside the organization. 😅 If you want to be the trusted advisor your company…
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When I talk to organizations about living out core values in every area of the business, it’s really because I care deeply about internal staff and I want them to know that the company they work for stands for something bigger. Whether it was great customer service or quality products, knowing that my past employers stood for…
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Communications is a critical, capacity-building function for nonprofits. And not just for fundraising, but for the entire organization. Or at least it should be. In this interview with Jarrett Ransom of The Nonprofit Show, I share this little nugget about communications as capacity-building. It was a surprise to Jarrett, but this belief has always driven…
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When communications pros talk about messaging, I think they really mean “talking points.” They are not the same. 👏 Talking points are tactical and created for very specific purposes, like a media interview. They serve a purpose, but they can also stifle big-picture thinking. And if you never break free of them, you’ll miss the…
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If you’re like me, you love a great story of triumph. We find them in books, movies, and even songs. We want the underdog in these stories to win, and we celebrate when they finally do. There’s usually a situation or someone who guides them or facilitates their journey- and we’re especially moved if they…
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Last year around this time, I shared a few favorite quotes that inspire and motivate me. I’ve got another to add to the list: “Listening is a radical act of social justice.” I heard this quote in the context of nonprofit work, but I think it’s applicable to the work we do as communicators in any organization.…
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