Onboard your new hire with ease
Onboard your new hire with ease

So you just hired your new communications director (or other communications teammate, we aren’t picky about titles here at Forthright). First, congratulations! I’m so excited you found a great person for your organization.


Now, let’s set them up for success. Onboarding is just as critical as selecting the right human. 

Studies show that solid onboarding is worth its weight in gold. Research shows that effective onboarding can improve employee retention and productivity by 52 percent and 60 percent, respectively. 

Here are the ingredients of an effective onboarding. 

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School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Hiring and PeopleNiki JuhaszEffective onboarding strategies, Onboarding new communications director, Employee onboarding for nonprofits, 30/60/90 day goals for new hires, Strategic communications planning, Nonprofit leadership tips, Building relationships during onboarding, Feedback culture in nonprofits, Onboarding best practices for nonprofits, Nonprofit employee retention strategies
Keep your momentum
Keep your momentum

Are you finding yourself more easily distracted since the election? Feeling a tad foggier? Not retaining much information? Perhaps a tad more irritable? 

Check, check, check and check on my end. 

If you’re distracted, and we’re distracted, then your audiences are ALSO distracted. 

Yet, if you’re like a few of our clients, the work can’t stop now. If you have urgent information to release, or outreach to do, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. 

Here are three communications best practices from our teammates that are more important than EVER as we communicate during times of upheaval, uncertainty and crisis. 

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Nonprofit Communications, School District Marketing, Writing and MessagingNiki Juhaszhow to write simply, how to advocate after Trump's win, nonprofit advocacy during times of uncertainty, communications during elections
What to do now after the election results
What to do now after the election results

At Forthright, we condemn white supremacy, xenophobia, and all forms of hate and oppression. Alongside our clients and partners, we stand firmly committed to the fights for justice, equality and a sustainable future. 

While it may be tempting to succumb to panic and emotional language given the very real challenges we’re up against, we want to invite you to take a deep breath and remember what you know – and be honest about what you don’t. 

After these election results, it’s up to us to advocate even smarter and harder for and with those we serve. We’re not giving up. And I know you’re not giving up, either. 

Here’s where to start. 

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Nonprofit Communications, Communications CampaignsKatie Test Davisnonprofit communications, nonprofit advocacy during times of uncertainty, communications during elections, crisis communications for nonprofits, how to communicate after Trump's win
Reach *all* parents in your community
Reach *all* parents in your community

Just Google it. I’ll send you the link. Sign up online. 

These days, we assume everyone has internet access at home. But here’s the thing. That’s still not the case. 2024 Pew Research Center data tells us about a fifth of homes in America still don’t have broadband access. 

We’re including tips to reach these families – while celebrating your district – below. 

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School District Marketing, Communications Campaigns, AccessibilityNiki JuhaszReaching families without internet access, Inclusive school communication strategies, How to connect with all families in the district, Marketing school nutrition programs, Direct mail outreach for schools, Inclusive campaigns for school districts, Building brand awareness in school districts
Behind the scenes of one of my favorite projects this year
Behind the scenes of one of my favorite projects this year

“Close your eyes, and imagine an America where we have gotten childcare right.

The Reimagine Childcare Project has spent the last two years co-creating and building a radical new Vision of childcare. 

It imagines a future where childcare looks and feels abundant. 

One where we make sure every child, parent, guardian, and provider is whole and happy. One where everyone has exactly what they need to become who they are meant to be.”

GAH, doesn’t it just give you goosebumps? 

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Brand/Materials Creation, Digital and Social Media, Storytelling, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisInnovative Childcare Solutions, Early Childhood Advocacy, Supporting Families and Caregivers, Childcare Resources and Tools, Building Childcare Equity, Childcare Policy and Change, Holistic Child Development, Community-Based Childcare
Hire for comms roles with ease
Hire for comms roles with ease

“What are the best interview questions to ask a candidate for your open communications director position?” 

“How do you manage a communications workload when you’ve got someone out on parental leave?” 

“Who do you tell once a communications teammate gives you notice that she’s leaving your organization for a new job?” 

We answer all these questions and more in our new FREE guide to hiring communicators. 


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Nonprofit Communications, School District Marketing, Hiring and People, About ForthrightKatie Test Davisnonprofit communications, education leadership and history, fractional communications director services, interim communications director, hiring communicators, nonprofit hiring, nonprofit marketing roles, interview questions for communicators
How to give "an exclusive" to a reporter
How to give "an exclusive" to a reporter

Today, we’re tackling one of the most elusive and confusing parts of media relations: the exclusive. 

Simply put, an exclusive is when you offer a story to one single reporter, and promise that you won’t share the story with anyone else until after your chosen reporter shares the news first.

Let’s break that down. 

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School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Communications Campaigns, Media RelationsNiki Juhasznonprofit media coverage, news pitching tactics, offering exclusives, reporter relationships, exclusive news tips, pitching journalists, exclusives in pr, media relations, nonprofit storytelling
Your easy button for new parent communication
Your easy button for new parent communication

Schools have opened their doors for another school year. As a communications professional, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the information sent from our new elementary school. I know exactly when school starts. We’ve gotten our school supplies list and know our teacher assignments and class schedules. 

Yet, as a parent of a kindergartner and a first grader in a new school district, I still have so many questions! For example: What types of opportunities for free play are built into the day? How much screen time are kids actually getting each day? What if my kid falls asleep on the floor because she’s 5 and sometimes just needs a nap?

As a school leader, it’s important to realize that kindergarten parents and new parents are a rare breed. This audience doesn’t have the experience or insights that your returning families bring to a new school year. Everything is new for them, and your communications efforts must reflect that – not just during this back-to-school season, but throughout the year. 

By helping families understand what their child’s day looks like during school, they become more confident and comfortable with their decision to share their children with you and your staff. 

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School District Marketing, Communications CampaignsLauren Empsonback-to-school, students, parents, parent communications, school communications, new families, kindergarten
Connect with your community by knowing your history
Connect with your community by knowing your history

As communicators, it’s our job to deeply understand what came before us. For example, knowing about child care’s roots in chattel slavery can help you communicate effectively about workforce challenges. Knowing the history of de- (and recent re-) segregation can help public school communicators better connect around school closures and redistricting. 

Great communicators are history experts and are constantly absorbing news and context. We're sharing tips about when and how to think about history here.

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Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Communications Campaigns, School District MarketingKatie Test Davisnonprofit communications, education leadership and history, cultural competence in education, inclusive messaging for nonprofits, historical context in advocacy, youth engagement in public spaces, community focused public relations, nonprofit branding and history, youth centered nonprofit partnerships, policy campaign communication tactics
Ensure people understand your work
Ensure people understand your work

A logic chain is a tool your team can use to align around: 

  1. what you want your audiences to understand about your work;

  2. what you want your audiences to believe as a result of what they understand; and

  3. the specific, concrete action you want your audiences to take. 

Starting with a logic chain when creating a strategic communications plan or before conducting a communications audit ensures your messaging and strategies are laser focused on your end goal. 

Here’s a full visual (and examples!) for how the logic chain works.

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Most Popular, Writing and Messaging, Storytelling, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, About ForthrightEmily Swartzlanderlogic, logic chain, audiences, messaging, systems, complex issue, build understand, reach audiences, simple messaging
Create a tactics plan that actually delivers 📦
Create a tactics plan that actually delivers 📦

Getting to the tactics phase of your communications campaign is exciting – you’ve selected your audiences, your messaging is on point and you're ready to put all that hard work out into the world and make change happen. *It's showtime!* 

Of course, you need to make sure that those tactics go to work for you, and that means narrowing in on the biggest bang-for-your-buck activities that you can truly deliver.

And, as very busy leaders and advocates, you’re looking for reliable, simple, valuable, tried and true, foolproof options… you want the "easy button" plan. 

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Nonprofit Communications, Communications CampaignsZoe Alexis WhitehornNonprofit communications, communications campaign, audience targeting, tactics planning, marketing strategy, easy tactics, social media strategy, website optimization, community outreach, offline marketing, thought leadership
How big should your comms team be?
How big should your comms team be?

Here’s a conversation I’ve had many times throughout my career: 

🙋Executive director: How big should my communications team be?

🤔Me: Well… that depends. How much of your mission relies on convincing people to take action?

We’ve seen it all: 10+ person communications teams, and one part-time person communications teams. A one-person shop could be perfect for some organizations, while others need the full comms squad. Here are the key points to consider as you decide how to invest in YOUR headcount.

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About Forthright, Hiring and People, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisnonprofit communications, nonprofit marketing, communications team size, nonprofit staffing, marketing consultants for nonprofits, nonprofit public relations, nonprofit media relations, nonprofit campaigns, outsourcing communications, nonprofit organizational goals, building a communications team
How to have happy district parents
How to have happy district parents

Working parents are burned out. 

They are can’t concentrate, take it one day at a time, can barely make butter pasta for dinner kind of tired.

You know the feeling. 

That means it’s up to us as communicators to ensure we’re meeting burnt out parents where they are. We’re including three tips for how to do so as you return back to school! 

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Writing and Messaging, School District MarketingNiki Juhaszwrite a strong call to action, calls to action for nonprofits, back to school communications, school district communications, reaching school parents, how to communicate with parents
Get people to do what you want them to do
Get people to do what you want them to do

 In 2017, Stanford Social Innovation Review begged nonprofit leaders to “stop raising awareness already.” 

They wanted action. They wanted change. They wanted advocates to take their work to the next level. 

I think we can all agree that right now – in this chaotic year of 2024 – moving our audiences to take action is more critical than ever. No matter what your campaign, your call to action (CTA) needs to be powerful, or it won’t work.  

That’s why we’re sharing quick tips (backed by data from Harvard and Stanford experts) on how to craft a strong CTA.

Bonus: we’re including do’s, don’ts and examples for every recommendation! 

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Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, School District MarketingNiki Juhaszwrite a strong call to action, calls to action for nonprofits, calls to action for school district, how to move people to action, win my nonprofit campaign
How I prevent burnout at Forthright
How I prevent burnout at Forthright

I really like being a company founder and CEO. But my CEO position isn’t the most important thing about me. Instead, my most important roles are friend, daughter, wife, volunteer, potter and neighbor. 

I love what I do all day for work – but the person I am outside of work is much more important to me. And that’s exactly the way it should be. 

In fact, the time I spend outside of work caring for myself, my communities and my family makes me a BETTER CEO and a more effective communicator. 

So when I started Forthright five years ago, I made a commitment to myself that my roles outside of work would be honored as important, if not more important, than my roles AT work. That’s what sparked our policy of charging more for work we perform outside of our business hours. 

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About ForthrightKatie Test DavisPR firm tips, after hours policy, employee wellbeing, women in PR, sustainable business practices, work life balance, business boundaries, healthy work environment, effective client communication, healthy workplace culture
Tears & cheers! A peek at our 5th anniversary team dinner.
Tears & cheers! A peek at our 5th anniversary team dinner.

I can think of a handful of my birthdays (or my wedding with Dan) when I looked around the room and all of the most meaningful people in my life were in one place.

Last Friday night, in New York City, I was honored to have the professional version of that experience when SO MANY Forthright teammates, both past and present, gathered together to celebrate our agency’s 5th anniversary. 

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About ForthrightKatie Test Davisnonprofit hiring, interim communications director, business growth, agency evolution, team appreciation, agency milestones, company culture
🎧Listen up! 3 podcasts that’ll teach you a comms lesson
🎧Listen up! 3 podcasts that’ll teach you a comms lesson

Confession: I love podcasts. I’m currently following *34* different podcasts, and I’m always looking for more to add to the list. 

To me, the best podcasts take lots of research and data, add thorough reporting and beautifully crafted storytelling, and deliver episodes that make you think long after you’ve stopped listening. 

Lately, I’ve come across several episodes that showcase communications best practices “in the wild.” They have me thinking about how we can better do the work we all do to support children and families. Today, I’m highlighting those episodes and the comms best practices they feature. 

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Nonprofit Communications, Communications Campaigns, Writing and Messaging, StorytellingEmily Swartzlanderstorytelling, values and barriers, podcasts, communications best practices, Radiolab, Search Engine, A Slight Change of Plans, Zoozve
Recharge today to reimagine tomorrow
Recharge today to reimagine tomorrow

We care for ourselves not only to reap the individual benefits (when I get eight hours of sleep, my skin looks amazing!) but also to show up maximally for the people and causes we care about. Our team can help you communicate your message to anyone – it’s true – but if you don’t listen to you when you need a break, friend, we’re all at a disadvantage. 

To get us ready for a less-stress, greater-good summer, Jon Jon is sharing tips to clock out of the overwhelm, tune in to your body, and maybe even…feel good about it?

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Most Popular, Storytelling, Communications CampaignsKatie Test Davisself-care, rest, Recharge so we can reimagine the world, Doomscrolling, Burnout prevention
Feel confident as you manage staff transitions
Feel confident as you manage staff transitions

So, your communications director is leaving. And you’re happy for them – really, you are. (Or not so much. We don’t judge.) But that makes your life just a little harder for the coming weeks, because your most important audiences still need to hear from you while you replace your director. 

This is a common challenge we’re seeing with so many of our nonprofit, foundation and school district partners. (You’re not alone! There’s significant turnover in communications this year.) That’s why we’re sharing our step-by-step recommendations for what to do next. 

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Nonprofit Communications, Hiring and People, School District MarketingNiki Juhasznonprofit hiring, how to hire a communications director, what to do when your communications director quits, interim communications director, hiring for communications jobs, communications interview best practices
Fresh polling data for you to use in your work
Fresh polling data for you to use in your work

We know election years are a great time to recalibrate your communications strategy. Why? Because election years mean lots of research and media organizations are gathering extra juicy data about how people are thinking and feeling. 

You can use all this fresh polling data to guide your work!

We’ve pulled the latest and greatest data about how Americans are feeling and what they care about, and today, we’re going to share three of our key findings and takeaways with you. 

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Nonprofit Communications, Communications Campaigns, Writing and MessagingEmily Swartzlanderelections, audience analysis, storytelling, voter data, values and barriers, research, communications plans, simplify your writing, paid leave, child care