Resource Hub for Strategic Communication Professionals
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Election Safety From a Communications Pro Who Knows
Most Americans never see the work that happens behind an election. We cast our ballots, watch returns on election night, and move on. But when questions arise about election administration or election security, many of us are left trying to sort through competing claims without first understanding how the system actually works and how it is secured.
That's why we had this conversation with strategic communications pro Teresa Paulsen who works in the election systems field to ensure Americans have clear and accurate information.
Graphics Communicate, Too
Last week in Nebraska, another candidate threw his hat into the race for governor, joining Lynne Walz in trying to unseat Gov. Jim Pillen.
Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom is taking the independent route, which means before Nebraskans can even decide whether to vote for him, he first has to qualify for the ballot. Anyone entering a statewide race this late already has an enormous communications challenge.
Unfortunately, the campaign made it just a little harder.
The initial campaign graphic featured a stylized outline of Nebraska...except it accidentally lopped off southeast Nebraska.
Sadly, Scammers Must Also Be Good Communicators
Ugh. Your EO Report authors have been absolutely inundated with scams in our inboxes, texts, and voicemails this week.
How? Unclear. But however it happened, we're duly annoyed. Luckily, we've each sat through the University of Nebraska at Omaha's required employee cybersecurity training about a thousand times, so anyone with nefarious intentions is going to have to wake up earlier to catch us off guard.
But it got us thinking: scammers, perhaps more than anyone, have to be excellent communicators. After all, how else are they going to lure you into their trap without a convincing hook, voice, and call to action?
Out of Office. Still On Brand.
The Fourth of July is behind us, and vacation season is officially underway. Inboxes everywhere are filling with out-of-office replies.
They run the gamut from polished and professional to playful and personal. Some are concise. Others read like a vacation itinerary, complete with lake plans, limited Wi-Fi, promises to "check in occasionally," and even accidental old details left over from the last holiday break.
Most organizations never think much about them. But they should.
Crisis Scenarios You Should Be Ready For
First responders train for all kinds of emergencies. They practice until their response becomes muscle memory. They hope many of those skills never need to be used, but if the moment comes, they want their actions to be second nature.
Communicators should approach crisis situations the same way: pre-plan, practice, and perform when the moment arrives.
I Like It. What Is It?
I love a good nutritional hack.
A few weeks ago, while browsing through my favorite news aggregator, the Drudge Report, I came across an advertisement for an iodine supplement. I haven’t seen that type of ad before.
It was an ad for J. Crow's Lugol's Solution.
The ad did exactly what it was supposed to do. It caught my attention. I clicked. And immediately, I was intrigued. It lured me in…But after spending several minutes exploring the website, I found myself asking a simple question:
What is it?
Calm in a Crisis: You Set the Tone
When an organizational crisis hits, tensions run high. You may be feeling stressed and overwhelmed yourself. But here's the most important thing to remember: As the communicator, your job is to set the tone.
Look at Your Leader’s LinkedIn
Whether they realize it or not, your organization's leader, and ultimately the entire leadership team, acts as an extension of the organization itself. For some companies and nonprofits, the CEO (or executive director, president, or whatever title they hold) is inextricably linked to the brand. Whether they have a big personality or operate behind the scenes, they're highly visible, influential in shaping perceptions, and serve as a public face for the organization.
As a strategic communicator, your job is to identify the channels you can influence and optimize. Your website and organizational social media accounts are obvious places to start, but there's one area that's often overlooked: your leader's personal social media presence.
Meet the Messenger: Dr. Gail F. Baker, Former SVP & Provost, University of San Diego
We’re excited to feature Gail F. Baker, former senior vice president and provost at the University of San Diego. A respected communications leader, educator, and scholar, Dr. Baker has built a career that spans higher education leadership, journalism, public relations, and academia. During her time at USD, she served as the university’s chief academic officer, working closely with academic leadership to guide strategy and institutional priorities. Before joining USD in 2017, she was the founding dean of the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media at the University of Nebraska Omaha and held additional leadership roles at universities across the country.
Dr. Baker’s career reflects a deep commitment to communication, leadership, and storytelling. Before transitioning into higher education administration, she worked in journalism and corporate communications, including positions with IBM and International Harvester, and as a reporter and editor for the Chicago Daily Defender Newspaper. An accomplished author and educator, she has written books, articles, and book chapters and has earned recognition for both her teaching and documentary writing, including multiple Emmy Awards for Excellence in Documentary Writing and Producing. We spoke with her about the experiences that shaped her leadership style, the evolving role of communication in higher education, and the lessons she’s carried across journalism, academia, and executive leadership.
L.T.A.A. (Let’s Talk About Acronyms)
Let’s talk about a common writing issue: acronyms.
In the communications world, they can save you some serious keystrokes, but they also give some important unspoken signals about who the writing is for.
So when should you use them, and when should you hold back? Just like an acronym, here’s some short guidance.
Do You Have a Defined Brand Voice?
You know when you hear an ad and can immediately tell who it’s from based on the language, tone, and music?
Or when you come across a social post that’s captivating less because of what it’s saying and more because of how it’s said and how it makes you feel?
Brands that have this figured out are clear on what their brand voice is.
The Power of “No, But…” in Communications Teams
How do you maintain a partnership mindset when your team is stretched thin?
One simple philosophy:
“No, but…”
Those two words, paired with clear processes and thoughtful alternatives, create flexibility. They allow communications teams to protect priorities and brand standards while still being helpful and collaborative.
Here’s what a “No, but…” philosophy can look like in practice.
How Does Your Customer Experience Every Touchpoint?
We often think of communications as messaging: campaigns, content, media. But the truth is that communication encompasses your customer’s entire experience and every touchpoint they have with you.
Even when those touchpoints don’t sit within your job description or the communications department, they shape perception. Which means they’re your business.
If you want to close the gap between what you say and what people experience, here are a few areas to look at.
Meet the Messenger: Robert Fogarty, Founder of Dear World
Fifteen years ago, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Robert Fogarty started asking people in New Orleans who were rebuilding their lives to write a message. In one sentence, they wrote their stories on their bodies, which Robert then photographed.
Over the years, he has continued his project: Dear World. Robert gives people around the globe a mechanism and the permission to express themselves and share their most powerful and vulnerable moments.
Now, he also takes his project to the stage, creating an interactive experience that brings people together, builds trust, and fosters belonging.
An incredible storyteller, we were honored to get his perspective for The EO Report.
The Case for a Writing Style Guide
A writing style guide brings clarity and consistency to how your organization communicates. It defines tone, standardizes language, and eliminates the small (but frequent) decisions that slow teams down and dilute your message.
Equipping Your Team to Tell Your Story
As communicators, we love stories. It’s in our bones. We’re wired to share information that shifts perspectives, sparks ideas, and helps people see the world a little differently.
But in our drive to reach new audiences, we often overlook one of the most important ones: our internal audience. Our team.
These are the people who should be the most informed in order to effectively champion the organization. But often, they’re operating with different versions of the same story or incomplete information.
Meet the Messenger: Ericka Miller, President & CEO of Isaacson, Miller
We’re excited to feature Ericka Miller, President and CEO of Isaacson, Miller, a leading national executive search firm. A strategic leader with deep roots in education, nonprofit leadership, and public service, Ericka brings a wide-ranging perspective shaped by roles across government, academia, and consulting. We spoke with her about the early debate-driven roots of her communication style, how she leads with clarity and purpose, and the lessons she’s learned that continue to shape her decisions and impact.
What My Toddler Taught Me About Language
Last weekend, we took our two-year-old out to dinner. If you’re a parent, you know all too well that taking a toddler to a new restaurant is always a gamble, and this was no exception. Here’s what we learned about language over a battle surrounding cheese pizza.
Use What You’ve Got
The other day, I received a new skincare product in the mail. It all felt standard until I opened the box.
The product box had a pull tab. As I followed it, the packaging unfolded (literally), revealing additional brand messaging tucked inside. What’s typically blank space became part of the experience.
It was unexpected, and, frankly, a fun experience. A boring, standard product box became a storytelling piece. It gave me a deeper understanding of the brand than I would have gotten otherwise. And it did it using space they already had.
100 15-Minute Communications Wins (With Free Download)
This week, as we wrap up our spring cleaning series, we’re focusing on something manageable:
15-minute fixes.
Here’s a list of 100 wins you can quickly score for your communications work, complete with a free downloadable checklist.