That exciting first date. A job interview for the perfect position. Your key communications materials. Can you guess what all of these have in common? The answer: first impressions really, really matter for all of them. You’re on your own with the first part of this list – but at Forthright, what we CAN do is to help ensure your communications materials get that first impression rose. Below, we’re sharing our favorite questions to ask while conducting a communications audit.
Read MoreWhen we’re honest about the experiences that we share with our audiences, and how these differ from — and may inform — the lived experiences of others, we uplift the issues at hand and empower our audiences to be a part of the change we want to see.
As communicators, we’re often asked to help people with different lived experiences consider, even a little bit, the lives of others. But how do we communicate about issues that we, and our audiences, don’t have lived experiences of? We’re so happy you asked! Let’s break it down.
Public school enrollment continues declining, and the U.S. Department of Education has the data to prove it. We’re sharing more of the fresh stats – and of course tips for your next steps.
Your brand identity – from your name to tagline to logo – is your first introduction to your most important stakeholders. By approaching it with strategy and centering your audiences, you can ensure you’re building a strong brand that helps you accomplish your mission. We are including three tips here!
Read MoreEasy-to-read messaging is kind. It helps your audiences understand your work and what you want them to know. On the flip side, when a message uses big words, acronyms and jargon, it is – by definition – exclusionary. Today, we’re sharing more about how we recommend approaching your messaging.
Read MoreIs 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…
When your own colleagues don’t understand the communications department’s role and what your teammates do all day, you’re in trouble. So what’s a communications director to do? What we do best. A branding campaign. Except this time, it’s internal, and your colleagues are your target audience.
Read MoreOur old ways of brute force and hustle culture never served us. Why bring those attitudes into the new year? Here, we’re sharing three ways to ensure your communications goals for 2023 are smart and focused on your team — and set you up for success, too.
To us, consent means ensuring that every person we interview feels comfortable, confident and even empowered about sharing throughout the interview process. In other words, consent is so much more than asking for permission to share a story. Gathering consent during interviews is just one of many critical parts of ethical storytelling. We're sharing how we approach the process in this blog.
Read MoreAs a parent who is aware of the schooling options available – one who *wants* to send her kids to public schools – I’m sharing a few steps I wish my local school district had taken over the past few months.
Read MoreMillions across the US choose to swipe right on, or decidedly say no thank you to, potential partners on dating apps every month. And much like hopeful (or jaded) singles swiping through profiles, your potential supporters, partners and stakeholders often make the decision to learn more about you – or write you off – in mere seconds. I bring this up because thinking about your organization’s brand personality as a dating profile…can actually be a great exercise! We’re including an example here.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreThe lawn signs are out, the commercials are on, and the handshakes are happening. You know what that means: it’s election season! And for many of our partners, that means securing funding for your school district is on the ballot.
We recently reviewed successful and failed bond campaigns across the US, and here are some key takeaways!
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