Blog
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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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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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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I knew I had something special when I launched Corporate Messaging for Communicators a few years ago. I wanted to advocate for communicators to embrace strategic communications as the de facto way they work and I wanted to provide a powerful tool for them to do that. As I developed the program, I interviewed PR and marketing…
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As communications professionals, we’re constantly working to serve our companies, our clients, and for many of us – our families, communities, and others around us. Your dedication to others is beautiful – but remember to make time for yourself! Just as I advocate for PR professionals to embrace communications planning, I also strongly encourage you…
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This year, my daughter Sophia is on the hunt to find the higher ed institution she will call home in less than two years. She has carefully curated our college visits and developed meticulous itineraries that ensure we not only maximize the campus tours but also spend time enjoying the city we’re visiting. I am…
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