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!

Beat the Curse of Knowledge

The curse of knowledge is a cognitive bias that leads us to overestimate the knowledge of our audience. If you allow this curse to infect your writing, you may unwittingly leave supporters feeling confused an alienated. To...

2 minute read

The curse of knowledge is a cognitive bias that leads us to overestimate the knowledge of our audience. If you allow this curse...

Keep reading
Read this
Why ‘Busting Myths’ Often Backfires

How tempting is it to ‘bust myths’ and confront your opponent’s ridiculous claims head-on!? Hint: very. Proceed with caution—countering false claims can unintentionally reinforce them. However, if you can reframe the conversation, you get to own it...

Quick Quick read

How tempting is it to ‘bust myths’ and confront your opponent’s ridiculous claims head-on!? Hint: very. Proceed with caution—countering false claims can unintentionally...

Learn this
Learn this
A Beginner’s Guide to Digital Pipelines

Think of digital pipelines as pathways that lead your supporters down progressively deeper levels of engagement. Without designing your pipelines intentionally, your supporters may still engage, take action, and donate. However, with intentional design, pipelines will help...

5 minute read

Think of digital pipelines as pathways that lead your supporters down progressively deeper levels of engagement. Without designing your pipelines intentionally, your supporters...

Learn this
Read this
One Email. ONE ASK.

Sometimes, the purpose of an email can be simply to inform. But often, we’re trying to get someone somewhere. An action page. A donation form. A video... When your email has a destination, be protective of...

2 minute read

Sometimes, the purpose of an email can be simply to inform. But often, we’re trying to get someone somewhere. An action page. A...

Learn more
Learn this
Email Preview Text: What You Need to Know

Preview text appears in most email clients in the form of a few words after or below a subject line. While it doesn’t have the same pull as a subject line, it does give you a ‘second...

3 minute read

Preview text appears in most email clients in the form of a few words after or below a subject line. While it doesn’t...

Find out more
Learn more
Write Your Own Communications Guide

Your organization and its communication style is unique. Defining it will consolidate expertise, build confidence, and help you and your co-communicators hone an effective voice. Here are some things you might like to include in your own...

3 minute read

Your organization and its communication style is unique. Defining it will consolidate expertise, build confidence, and help you and your co-communicators hone an...

Learn more
Learn this

Get a free weekly digital strategy tip:

Name Email
privacy policy.

We respect your data. View the privacy policy.

Unsubscribe any time. We respect your data. View the privacy policy.