Posts in Brand/Materials Creation
How to get policymakers to actually hear you
How to get policymakers to actually hear you

We know your work – all of our work – is directly impacted by recent tragedies and crises. Dallas, Buffalo, Laguna Woods, Uvalde. The formula crisis, attacks on necessary equity efforts in our schools and child care shortages. These all signal the need for a major revolution.

So what do we want? Long-term, sustainable policy change to help our children and families thrive. When do we want it? NOW. (I mean, years ago, really.)

So that’s what we’re focused on today. We reviewed more than 10 peer-reviewed journal articles, book excerpts and research studies (in addition to years of experience working with policymakers!) to ensure that you have what you need to succeed in your advocacy.

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Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Communications CampaignsNiki Juhaszeducation, nonprofit
3 tips for communicating tough topics
3 tips for communicating tough topics

When talking about big issues that aren’t disappearing anytime soon, relying on sentimental language, grim details, or an instinctually emotional reaction from audiences can actually do more harm than good. Here are three things to think about when communicating about tough topics.

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Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Storytelling, Communications CampaignsKatie Test Daviscrisis communications, nonprofit
Your how-to guide on interviewing families for stories
Your how-to guide on interviewing families for stories

When it comes to storytelling, you’re already sold. You know stories about your work help demonstrate your organization’s impact in a personal, relatable way.

Now, it’s on to actually telling the stories. That starts with interviews. And this – this is the step when even seasoned communications professionals can get a little nervous. From how to ensure you’re getting consent to asking questions in a respectful way, it can be a little tricky!

Here’s Forthright’s true-blue formula for asking for initial consent and asking questions.

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School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Writing and Messaging, StorytellingNiki Juhaszeducation, nonprofit
Three questions to ask before chiming in — or logging out
Three questions to ask before chiming in — or logging out

When Jon Jon served as Forthright’s social media strategist, his wise counsel about how and when to use our voice on national issues was a guiding beacon for us. Today, Jon Jon joins us for special projects like this one – helping you decide if, when and how to chime in on Big Conversations.

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Brand/Materials Creation, Digital and Social Media, Most Popular, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, Hiring and PeopleKatie Test Daviseducation
How to write clearly.
How to write clearly.

The way we process information in a crisis – like, you know, an ongoing pandemic and wartime – is different. Right now, our attention spans are shorter, and we’re more forgetful, too.

This means that to best serve our audiences, we need to focus on delivering information as clearly as possible.

The key to this clarity? Breaking it up!

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School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Accessibility, Writing and Messaging, Most PopularNiki Juhaszeducation, nonprofit
Maybe you should quit Instagram.
Maybe you should quit Instagram.

You have 20 tabs open.

You’ve got your phone in one hand, scrolling through your feeds, while you’re checking your emails on your laptop.

You’re wondering what hashtag you should use.

Put down your phone. Close those tabs. Resist the trending hashtag.

We’re always being told more is better. More social media outlets, more messaging, more fries, more EVERYTHING. But here’s the thing: that’s a lie (with the exception of the fries part.)

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Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Digital and Social Media, Communications CampaignsKatie Test Davisnonprofit, education
Are you ready for Giving Tuesday and end of year fundraising?
Are you ready for Giving Tuesday and end of year fundraising?

I get it. Whenever I think about Giving Tuesday and the end of year giving season for our clients, I am hit with a mix of anticipation and excitement, topped with a thin layer of dread. As anyone who has ever worked at a nonprofit knows, while everyone else in the world is settling down with mistletoe and turkey, you’re sprinting full speed into one of the busiest times of year. Never fear— we’ve got your back.

Here are a few tips to make your end of year campaign the best one yet.

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Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Writing and Messaging, StorytellingKatie Test Davisnonprofit
Our #1 favorite messaging trick...
Our #1 favorite messaging trick...

In many communications initiatives, you just KNOW your target audience is going to find fault with your campaign. They are going to have questions, concerns or downright oppose your work.

Once you explain your vision, they’ll say “what I’m worried about is...” and launch into why they don’t support you. What comes after the “what I’m worried about...” is the concern—in other words, the challenge you need to overcome to gain your opposition’s support.

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School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Most Popular, Storytelling, Writing and MessagingNiki Juhaszeducation, nonprofit
Your Fail-Proof Guide to Nonprofit Communication Planning Part Three: Choose effective tactics and track your progress
Your Fail-Proof Guide to Nonprofit Communication Planning Part Three: Choose effective tactics and track your progress

Since it’s always our goal at Forthright to help make our nonprofit clients’ and partners’ lives easier, we decided to create an actionable guide to nonprofit communication planning. In this three-part series, we’re sharing all of our secrets. We promise you'll walk away eager to plan and ready for success!

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Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Writing and MessagingKatie Test Davisnonprofit
Your Fail-Proof Guide to Nonprofit Communication Planning Part Two: Create Powerful Core Messages
Your Fail-Proof Guide to Nonprofit Communication Planning Part Two: Create Powerful Core Messages

Since it’s always our goal at Forthright to help make our nonprofit clients’ and partners’ lives easier, we decided to create an actionable guide to nonprofit communication planning. In this three-part series, we’re sharing all of our secrets. We promise you'll walk away eager to plan and ready for success!

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Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Writing and MessagingKatie Test Davisnonprofit
Your Fail-Proof Guide to Nonprofit Communication Planning Part One: Jumpstart Your Strategy
Your Fail-Proof Guide to Nonprofit Communication Planning Part One: Jumpstart Your Strategy

Since it’s always our goal at Forthright to help make our nonprofit clients’ and partners’ lives easier, we decided to create an actionable guide to nonprofit communication planning. In this three-part series, we’re sharing all of our secrets. We promise you'll walk away eager to plan and ready for success!

Read More
Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Most Popular, Writing and Messaging, Communications CampaignsKatie Test Davisnonprofit