messaging — Nonprofit Communications & PR Firm | Nonprofit Marketing Agency | Forthright Advising

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

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

Most Popular, Writing and Messaging, Storytelling, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, About ForthrightEmily SwartzlanderAugust 15, 2024logic, logic chain, audiences, messaging, systems, complex issue, build understand, reach audiences, simple messaging

Eliminating early childhood suspensions: lessons in real-world change

If you asked me a year ago what came to mind when thinking about early care and education, I would have conjured some pretty traditional images. Toddlers adorned with finger paint. Play-Doh of various colors, sculpted into comically unrecognizable shapes. The joyful sounds of children, with their infectious laughs and with their futures brimming with promise. You can, then, imagine what it felt to learn more about a startling truth in early care and education in America: the widespread suspensions and expulsions of young children, many barely old enough to walk. The desire to upend what has become an unfortunate status quo recently led me to Charlotte, North Carolina for the National Black Child Institute’s (NBCDI) national conference.

Nonprofit Communications, Writing and Messaging, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, StorytellingForthright AdvisingDecember 1, 2023elections, equity, Early care and education, branding, messaging, preschool suspension, preschool expulsion, suspensions and expulsions, logo, collaboration, communications campaign

Instantly Improve Your Outreach Through Empathy

As communicators and leaders, we’re constantly having to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. At the heart of good communication is empathy—anticipating how our audience will receive information, and then customizing our approach based on that. I’m sharing my advice for how to do this here!

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Writing and Messaging, Storytelling, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisFebruary 3, 2021messaging

Your Crisis Communications Guide

Our country is in a reckoning. As leaders and communicators, it’s our responsibility to communicate—and, well, lead—during this time, all while processing our own emotions. That’s why here, we’re sharing resources, tips and strategies to help you communicate during this tumultuous time.

Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Writing and MessagingKatie Test DavisJanuary 15, 2021crisis communications, messaging

Why No One is Listening

We’ve heard from many of you that you’re struggling to break through the noise and that your audiences “just aren’t getting it.” You’re not alone. Right now, our brains are busy juggling uncertainty, stress and anxiety. That’s why we’re sharing two tips to help you reach your audiences.

Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Storytelling, Writing and Messaging, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisOctober 15, 2020core messaging, messaging, crisis communications

How to Simplify Complex Messaging for Your Community

As communicators, it’s our job to simplify our messaging so ALL our audiences understand what we’re sharing and why. That’s why we’re sharing why readability is important, what readability score writers should aim for, how to simplify complex messaging and how to use Microsoft Word to test readability through our blog and free PDF download.

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Accessibility, Brand/Materials Creation, Most Popular, Writing and MessagingKatie Test DavisJune 17, 2020readability, messaging, writing tips

Easy as Pie: Why You Should Use Comparisons in Your Messaging

Our brains are wired to look for things we recognize and find patterns. So when you’re trying to make a complicated concept easy to explain, comparisons are your friend! We’re including tips on how to use them in your messaging here.

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Writing and MessagingKatie Test DavisMay 29, 2020messaging

3 Things First Graders Taught Me About PR

Most Fridays, my husband and I take half an hour to read to first graders. Not only does the activity keep me grounded in Forthright’s mission and in a school setting each week, but it’s also a great place to be reminded of some communications lessons. Here are three things I’ve learned about communications from spending time reading with first graders.

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Writing and Messaging, StorytellingKatie Test DavisMay 8, 2020branding, messaging, crisis communication

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