Hello, Changemaker!

Karen Nilsen

Hi I’m Karen. I want to share with you the tactics I’ve used to build digital power and engage a supporter base of millions. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

Why We Need to Stop Thinking about Email as a ‘Broadcast’ Medium

Think of a radio tower. Broadcast signals beaming far and wide. Most people think about email broadcasts this way. Please don’t think about email broadcasts this way. Broadcast communication is, by default, impersonal. Because...

2 minute read

Think of a radio tower. Broadcast signals beaming far and wide. Most people think about email broadcasts this way. Please don’t think...

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What’s the Perfect Subject Line Length?

In 2026, more emails are being viewed on iPhones than any other device. The average iPhone affords us a measly 41 characters before subject lines are cropped. That’s roughly seven words. Anything beyond this and you...

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In 2026, more emails are being viewed on iPhones than any other device. The average iPhone affords us a measly 41 characters...

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Give Your Headline ‘Consequence’

Of all the ‘rules’ out there for writing page headlines, this is the most transformative. If your headline sits on a petition or advocacy page, use it to communicate the ‘pain or consequence’ that follows from...

2 minute read

Of all the ‘rules’ out there for writing page headlines, this is the most transformative. If your headline sits on a petition...

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Segmenting for ‘Behavior’ vs ‘Intention’

When it comes to targeting the best supporters for specific activities, many of us are using (or have used) the sub-list model. You know—the ‘list within the list’ approach. This involves recruiting supporters onto purpose-designed lists...

5 minute read

When it comes to targeting the best supporters for specific activities, many of us are using (or have used) the sub-list model...

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11 Tips That Will Help You Write Better Subject Lines

Don’t undercut a great email by hiding it behind a poor subject line. These few words have the power to make or break your broadcast. Inboxes are generally cluttered, un-fun places. You can either...

3 minute read

Don’t undercut a great email by hiding it behind a poor subject line. These few words have the power to make or...

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This Is What Happens When You Address Your Reader as a ‘Group’

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 you’re writing only to them. When ‘broadcasting’ language slips into our writing,...

4 minute read

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...

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