Twenty-five years ago I was a happy PR girl engaged to a spectacular man. He was killed in a helicopter crash four months before our wedding. For months afterwards I was the worst communicator in the world. I was so broken and preoccupied I could … [Read more...] about How you feel emotionally impacts how you communicate
How you feel about yourself impacts how you communicate
My Dad always used to say, “Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right.” My Dad (and Henry Ford, who coined the phrase) were right. It drove me crazy when he said this, because I knew he was right. I’d go off in a huff to tackle whatever … [Read more...] about How you feel about yourself impacts how you communicate
How you see yourself impacts how you communicate
You’re an authentic, open, relatable person. You love to listen. Being a good person is important to you. You’ve seen so many a**holes in Silicon Valley. The last thing you ever want to do is look in the mirror and feel like one of them. These … [Read more...] about How you see yourself impacts how you communicate
Here’s a great PR tip: avoid committing fraud
Hey great communicators! Don’t lie. Don’t defraud your investors, your customers, the press, federal regulators. Don’t lie so egregiously over so many years that the SEC comes after you. I’ve been in Silicon Valley for more than twenty years. Have … [Read more...] about Here’s a great PR tip: avoid committing fraud
Getting started: Getting help
OK future great communicators! You’ve done a ton of work on creating and testing your message, really learning your audiences and building out a great communications plan. Now you’re ready to execute. Who will help you?? There are a ton of PR … [Read more...] about Getting started: Getting help
Getting started: Identify your audiences
You know that great communicators deliver amazing messages that their audiences love. To do that, you have to know who your audiences are and what they care about! Who are your audiences? Think about every aspect of your business. Your … [Read more...] about Getting started: Identify your audiences
Where and how to start
OK, so I’m always saying you must become a great communicator. Yes, you say, I get it! I know I have to tell the world about my great idea/new company/new product in the best way that I can! But where do I start? First of all, let’s talk about … [Read more...] about Where and how to start
Love your partners
Every business is an ecosystem. You may have a supply chain, resellers, joint marketing agreements, affiliates in global markets, creative agencies. You have a Board and shareholders. At the very least, you have customers! A successful business … [Read more...] about Love your partners
The Law of Incrementalism
Whenever I start learning or doing something new, I feel ferociously impatient. The beginning of anything, especially when I see how long it will take to get to my goal, can be torture. So I remind myself that what matters is being on the path. That … [Read more...] about The Law of Incrementalism
The Steep End of the Learning Curve
This January I’m all about encouraging you to dive into the sometimes scary and always time-consuming work of becoming a great communicator. Why? Because I want you and your business to succeed, and nothing will serve you and your vision better than … [Read more...] about The Steep End of the Learning Curve
