Yes, I am a communications coach. I help people deliver great messages to all sorts of audiences. But sometimes silence is the most powerful form of communication. More often than not, the best way to position yourself in an email battle is not … [Read more...] about Silence is a strategy too
Bring a problem and a solution
If you’re the one who identifies a big problem for your company, don’t hide it. Tell everybody. Sounding the alarm gets the right team on board to help find the solution. However, you don’t want to be the messenger that gets shot. Bring a … [Read more...] about Bring a problem and a solution
It’s coming!
Start your engines, team! Fall conference season is around the corner. What are you responsible for? Creating messages? Delivering them? Generating interest in your company? Converting prospects into customers? Keeping customers happy once they are … [Read more...] about It’s coming!
Repeating: Yes and No!
Repetition is either a superpower or a disaster. For example: In a media interview? Lean hard into repeating your key soundbite. If you’ve got a great soundbite you’ve got a much better chance of it getting into the final story if you say it … [Read more...] about Repeating: Yes and No!
Don’t drown in the details
“Don't confuse me with the facts!” “The confused customer does not buy.” When you make your prospective customer feel stupid, when you drown them in details, they will find a way to make it YOUR fault that they don’t understand. And it IS your … [Read more...] about Don’t drown in the details
Where does it hurt?
Want to be a great communicator? You need to understand who you’re talking to. You need to know what your audiences need, hope for, and fear most. It’s a new year! It’s time to double down on building empathy for your customers, prospects, … [Read more...] about Where does it hurt?
Earned, Owned, Paid
We continue to debate and evolve our definitions of paid, earned, and owned media. For a marketing person, these distinctions may be vital, but my advice as a communications coach to clients is the same no matter which channel they’re … [Read more...] about Earned, Owned, Paid
Words. They matter.
Let’s talk about words. If I say “ruby” to someone at a jewelry store, I’m going to get something very different than if I say “Ruby” on GitHub. Shared vocabulary is a prerequisite for any successful conversation. It’s your responsibility both as … [Read more...] about Words. They matter.
Reality?
‘’Perception is reality.” Lee Atwater coined this phrase in political campaigning because he saw that what people think is more powerful than what’s true. Objectivity does not exist. This can be super frustrating, but it’s TRUE. People do not … [Read more...] about Reality?
Context matters!
Let me state the obvious: The three minute presentation you give at a university recruiting day should be radically different from your board meeting. The language you use at a biotech conference to a bunch of doctors is different from the language … [Read more...] about Context matters!
