Posts in Media Relations
3 tips to write the perfect graduation speech
3 tips to write the perfect graduation speech

Should I throw my cap? I don’t want to lose it, so maybe a gentle toss. Which hand do I accept my diploma with? I wonder where we’re going out to dinner after the ceremony?

These were all questions I had during my high school graduation. And with all of this running through my brain, I couldn’t, for the life of me, tell you who my graduation speaker was or what they said. 

So how can you, as a superintendent (or the PIO writing this speech!), use your time at the podium to cut through the noise and make a difference as these graduates embark on the next phase of life? I’m sharing my top 3 tips to help you write a graduation speech that resonates with teens.

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Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Storytelling, Writing and Messaging, Accessibility, Media Relations, School District MarketingLauren Empsonspeech, graduation speech, superintendent speech, speechwriting, audience values, youth, graduation, teens
Decline a media interview request with confidence
Decline a media interview request with confidence

A reporter reaches out to request an interview, and it’s…just not the right fit. You have to say no to the reporter’s request, and that could be for a million different reasons, such as: You don’t have the expertise. You don’t have the bandwidth. Your team can’t agree on what to say. The reporter hasn’t been friendly to your work in the past. So…how do you handle this delicate situation without burning bridges? Well, here’s what our team has learned from working with the media for many years.

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Nonprofit Communications, School District Marketing, Writing and Messaging, Media RelationsKatie Test DavisDecline media interview request, say no to reporter, decline interview, no to media, media relations, reporter relationships, interview requests, media training, spokesperson
Our top tip for pitching reporters
Our top tip for pitching reporters

Smart communicators are moving away from press releases and using pitches — short emails tailored to specific reporters about specific topics. But we know writing the perfect pitch — and building personal relationships with journalists — can be tricky, so we’ve created a pitching checklist just for you! Download this free resource today and pitch with confidence, knowing that you’re following the best media relations practices possible.

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Nonprofit Communications, Communications Campaigns, Media Relations, School District MarketingNiki Juhaszmedia relations, pitching, pitching reporters, journalists, public relations, pitching checklist
Spring training opportunities with Forthright
Spring training opportunities with Forthright

Pumpkin spice lattes may be taking over our world, but we're already thinking about the spring and making 2024 the best year yet. That's why – by popular demand – we're opening our training opportunities for 2024! Our trainings have been called “an excellent investment." Also: “polished and downright perfect." Here’s a (sampling of) what we’re offering starting in January.

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Nonprofit Communications, Media Relations, School District Marketing, About ForthrightKatie Test Daviscommunications training, communications for nonprofits, storytelling training, media relations training, writing for your community
2 steps to take *before* you talk to a reporter
2 steps to take *before* you talk to a reporter

Reaching out to the media can be a solid public relations tactic. But, a little tough love here: this approach is not for everyone. Just because you’re doing amazing, life-changing work doesn’t automatically mean that it will gain you a media hit. Before you hit “send” on your email to a journalist, we have two steps you should take in order to get ready to pitch.

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Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, Media Relations, StorytellingForthright Advisingnonprofit campaigns, media relations best practices, how to pitch a reporter, how to get media coverage, best practices for talking to reporters
A look back at how PR has changed
A look back at how PR has changed

A couple of weeks ago, my colleagues and I were reminiscing about “how PR used to be.” In addition to making us feel – well, like seriously seasoned comms professionals who have seen it all – it made us realize just how different things are.

So then I asked the rest of our teammates how PR has changed over their careers. Here are their answers, just for fun.

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Writing and Messaging, Digital and Social Media, Media Relations, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, School District Marketing, About ForthrightNiki Juhaszsocial media trends, media relations trends, press releases, media relations best practices, communications strategies, changing nonprofit tactics
The best ways to share your news this summer
The best ways to share your news this summer

We’re sharing the freshest data about how people are consuming news in 2023, so you can ensure your information gets in front of your target audiences, even while they’re sunning themselves at the beach.


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Nonprofit Communications, Media Relations, School District Marketing, Digital and Social Media, Communications CampaignsKatie Test Davisdata, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Radio, Broadcast, newspaper, breaking news over the summer, announcements
Upcoming training opportunities with Forthright
Upcoming training opportunities with Forthright

Is your team stuck in a rut? Need some skills-building? Looking for a laughter-filled get-together centered around learning? Our marketing and communications workshops are jam-packed with helpful how-tos. You and your team will walk away with confidence and the knowledge you need to take (successful) action. Plus, we’ll have fun while we’re doing it! Here’s a (sampling of) what we’re offering this spring and summer… 


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Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Storytelling, Nonprofit Communications, School District Marketing, Hiring and PeopleNiki Juhaszstrategic communications, nonprofit
Prepare your after-election messaging
Prepare your after-election messaging

As I think about tomorrow’s election, I’m listening to The Final Countdown on repeat. Our campaigns are on their final stretches – and our country’s future is in our voters’ hands now.

No matter what the results are, I know many of us will be making the tough decision of whether to issue statements or responses about the election results. Or not.

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Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsNiki Juhaszeducation, campaigns, strategic communications, nonprofit
How to handle hard questions from reporters
How to handle hard questions from reporters

I’ve had clients tell me that they’re nervous to do live television appearances or even speak with a reporter. “What if they ask me something I don’t know the answer to?” they ask us, dread in their voices. “What if they ask me about something I don’t want to talk about?”

Well, friends, you don’t need to be nervous, you just need to pivot.

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School District Marketing, Media Relations, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Daviseducation
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
Our Favorite Rule for Successful Media Relations
Our Favorite Rule for Successful Media Relations

If you’ve ever been a Forthright client, you’ve probably heard us say this a million times: “You don’t talk TO the media, you talk THROUGH the media!” While we value journalists for all they do, a simple conversation with an individual reporter rarely accomplishes an organization's end goal. That’s why we’re sharing our favorite rule for successful media relations!

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School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Media RelationsNiki Juhaszcommunication, communications tips, media relations
How You Can Combat Fake News and Rumors in a Crisis
How You Can Combat Fake News and Rumors in a Crisis

We don’t have to tell you that families and school staff have a lot going on right now. Searching for information—and wondering what they can trust—just adds to their stress. That's why we’re sharing tips to ensure your audience sees and trusts your messaging.

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School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Digital and Social Media, Media Relations, Writing and Messaging, Communications CampaignsNiki Juhaszcrisis communication, marketing, tips
What Do Evergreens Have to do with Marketing?
What Do Evergreens Have to do with Marketing?

Evergreen content is a message you can post any time. Its lifespan isn’t tied to an event (or season). If your organization writes stories or articles, this is a great time to re-share those.

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School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Digital and Social Media, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, StorytellingKatie Test Davismarketing, content marketing, evergreen content, facebook, twitter, tips, nonprofit, best practices, holidays