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Most of us have a hard time keeping on top of emails from people we do know, to let alone give a second
Who are your supporters? And what do they need from you to reach their potential as star advocates or loyal donors? You might
Bolding the odd word or phrase can help skim readers catch key ideas you don’t want them to miss. It’s also great for
Imagine you’re at a party. There are plenty of new people you could meet and talk to. There’s a guy talking himself up.
Here’s how the internal dialog usually goes: “We’re torn. We see other organizations sending from individual people but how do we know if
If we want to get the most out of email, we need to make it personal. If every message we send sounds
Think of a radio tower. Broadcast signals beaming far and wide. Most people think about email broadcasts this way. Please don’t think
Every time you email your supporter, you’re doing much more than delivering a message. You’re cultivating a relationship. If
Is email dead? Here’s what the data says... Some people question the relevance of emails in 2025. They ask, “Can’t we just rely
Whatever you do—don’t just imagine your headline on your page itself. Consider how your headline performs without the rest of your page to
When it comes to targeting the best supporters for specific activities, many of us are using (or have used) the sub-list model.
SPOILER: it’s not good. Sure—you know you’re writing an email to 5,000 people. But your task is to make your reader feel like
Your organization and its communication style is unique. Defining it will consolidate expertise, build confidence, and help you and your co-communicators hone an
Great communication is not just about what you say but how you say it. Who says it also matters. You won’t always
What if you could say the right thing, to the right person, at the right time (while you sleep)? The future of communications
Take your time.
In the pursuit of saying more with less, I’ll admit—not every big idea can be reduced to a snappy soundbite. Sometimes there really is a lot to say. Still, there are better options than trying to say everything in one interaction. Readers will find it hard to retain dense information. And rarely do we need to place this much pressure on ourselves.
Pace yourself
Whether you’re communicating through your email list or your social media feed, remember that you’re in an ongoing relationship with your audience. You don’t just get one shot at this. When there’s a lot to say, try saying it over a series of linked emails, web pages, or social media posts. Break up your content into bite-sized ideas and deliver them over time to deepen impact. This will reach more people and give each idea its own time and space to resonate.
Think of digital communications like conversations, not lectures. Be the conversation partner that your supporter wants to come back to.
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Hi there! I’m Karen. I’m on a mission to reach my former self. Had I known 10 years ago what I know today, I could have achieved more good, made fewer mistakes, and had more weekends. Every time we share what works, we win faster. Let’s create digital experiences that move people — that grow our base and fuel our movements. Are you with me? Please share this with someone you know who wants to up their digital game!
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