I've always enjoyed writing and editing, developing communication skills across my career. As a volunteer, I've also created, edited and designed several community newspapers and websites.
In these roles, two things struck me. Firstly, the importance of being clear what you want to achieve. It's surprising how often people are not sure why they are doing something! Secondly, how content (written, graphic or audio-visual) is as important as the design itself.
I enjoy using my skills and experience to create, edit and advise on content and messaging, as well as provide eye catching design which communicates clearly and makes a positive difference.
Present your organisational news to enthuse your key audiences to engage, donate, volunteer, change their behaviour, or whatever your need them to do!
See the Big Poundbury Conversation newspaper for an example.
Promote your organisation, offer, mission, project or support needs in a nutshell, and encourage the reader to do something you want them to do!
Designed in different formats for digital or print, depending on your objectives.
Annual or impact reports, and business plans or proposals, should be engaging and easy to read, designed to build your case for support, not send readers to sleep!
Showcase your achievements and plans to attract new business, support and funding.
Like it or loathe it, social media is part of the way we communicate with each other today, and attention spans appear to be reducing.
Let me help you to actively engage more of your desired audience with eye catching graphics for the social platforms you use.
I can help you to develop an attractive website that supports your objectives, whether that's to keep stakeholders updated, raise public awareness, or actively engage new audiences. I'll support you to update it yourself in time, or do that for you.
See Dorchester Transport Action Group for an example.
However fabulous and up to date your website, most people won't remember to visit without a prompt.
That's where you need an integrated e-mail newsletter, highlighting key news and content, encouraging participation, and driving readers back to the website for more.
I've researched, written and delivered engagement programmes for commercial, public and non profit organisations, with a particular focus on schools, but also local communities.
I've helped organisations to engage with children, young people, parents, carers and communities through school programmes which engage, motivate and challenge, rather than simply transfer information.
I've worked with local community groups to help them understand their neighbourhoods, designing communications and engagement plans to help them realise their objectives.
I've led a regional charity, reviewing its mission, objectives and strategy, leading a stabilisation of finances, an increase in visitor numbers and income, reforming governance, building new partnerships and income streams, and recruiting, retaining and developing volunteers.
Get in touch for a chat about what you are hoping to achieve and how I might help.
Does telling someone something always change their behaviour?
Of course not. Sometimes, evidence suggests it could make things worse.
We all need to understand before we will even consider changing what we are doing. Then we need motivation, and the skills to make the change..
Yet many organisations act as though all they need to do is disseminate information, and audiences will act accordingly.
It doesn't usually work, so I take a different approach.
I've researched, written and implemented a interesting range of experiential educational programmes in safety, citizenship, sustainability and other 'skills for life'. Examples include: -
I've learnt that the most effective approach is: -
Get in touch if you'd like a quick chat about how this might be relevant for your organisation.
If you look at the evidence (and it is understandable when people avoid it), humanity is rapidly heading into multiple crises.
It's not only the crises themselves that worry me, it's the fact that we are frighteningly unprepared for what is already 'baked in', and are still heading in the wrong direction.
I want to feel that I am making a difference by using what I am good at. Two of the ways I can do this are: -
Ideally, I'll be supporting organisations wanting to develop in both of these areas, and are determined to address the huge challenges we all now face, whilst still meeting the bottom line.
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