Workshops:

Affordable, tried-and-true, and tailored to your needs, for five people or 150. On nearly all subjects having to do with communications, such as:

• 10 Key Ways to Get Close to Your Donors (for community foundations)
• Making Friends with the People Who Matter (Strategic Communications Planning)
• How to Conduct Your Own Communications Audit
• Yes, You Must Have an Annual Report. Here's How.
• The 5 Communications Tools You Can't Live Without
• Using the Media (and more)
• Publication Design for the Rest of Us
• Websites that Work
• How Bequests Will Save You
• (Your workshop topic here)

For the big picture:

• Strategic planning for a single department or your whole nonprofit. We’ll look together for that clear mission you’ve always wanted. I can be your facilitator, analyst, interviewer, and/or synthesizer. The secret? Clarify your vision and define the steps to get there.
• Board retreats. The Board and senior staff need an opportunity every year or two to tackle big issues, revisit the mission, and/or recharge your enthusiasm. We'll develop a process and agenda that engages every Board member in meaningful, direct discussion. You'll have a skilled facilitator whose only goal is a stronger organization.
• Development review and planning. Starting a new campaign or just need a fresh look at operations? Let's take a close look at your operation, your community, and your capacity and consider next steps.

For your essential communications:

• A full-fledged Communications Audit that assesses your nonprofit’s capacity to identify and talk to your essential audiences. We’ll look at everything from your website and newsletter to how often you call your funders and who answers the telephone. An exhaustive written report reviews six areas in detail (publications, electronics, media, advertising/direct mail, word of mouth, and institutional commitment) and offers advice and resources. 
• Take stock of your regular publications. We’re talking about your newsletter and annual report. Do you start out with a clear idea who you’re talking to and what they want to hear? We’ll transform the work from intimidating to fun.
• Build a successful website and get the right people to go there. Don’t you wish websites were like books, with a beginning, middle, and end? But they aren’t, so let’s capture the special energy of great websites and other electronic tools. We’ll use the excellent "Don’t Make Me Think" by Steve Krug as our road map.
• Media campaigns. I can help you understand the basics or execute a press strategy. One hint? Never do press conferences; have parties instead.
• Advertising, direct mail, and other tried-and-true methods to get new donors. Yes, there are proven rules and research about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to marketing. Sometimes it's well-placed (and repetitive) advertising. Sometimes it's the perfectly-written letter sent to the millionaire next door. Sometimes it's the readable case statement that accompanies a personal visit. The secret? The communication is always one-to-one.