Why the eyes have it in communications

We make decisions with our eyes. It’s how humans communicate. In fact, more than 90 percent of communication is done visually. What does this mean? It means that visually driven communication has more power. Visual communication is more effective. Visual communication is more engaging. I once met with a room full of journalists to persuade […]

How to spend your time in the attention economy

In this age of frenzied social media feeds and a struggling media industry, you might be asking yourself, do traditional news media stories still have relevance or impact? My answer is yes. Here’s why: Independent stories by trusted brands of truth validate your value. Media stories can break through the noise and clutter of mindless […]

The value of trusted brands of truth

Trusted brands of truth can raise us up and bring us down. They keep score. They enlighten and frighten us. The Fourth Estate of our democracy is the accountability delivered by the freedom of the press. But the rules of engagement have changed. A $787.5 million Fox News defamation settlement — one of the largest […]

A Media & Communications Checklist for Savvy Attorneys Sue Evans, Northwest Media Allies

person writing bucket list on book

Understand the fundamentals of communications: your goal drives strategy and tactics. Media, social media and marketing are tactics, not strategy. For most attorneys, the goal is to secure a strong result for their client. The second goal is to generate more referrals. Start planning your media strategy when you sign your client. Make sure you […]

Eat the meat of the feedback sandwich

My favorite thing I learned this week was this: When we deliver praise sandwiches, people only hear the bread, not the meat. It comes from an article in The New York Times by reporter Alina Tugend. She interviews Tim Harford, author of Adapt: Why Success Always Starts with Failure. He says this: “Most people offer […]

Have you picked up the tab lately?

Like most people, I have a favorite spot I like to hang out at and drink with friends. We share stories, debate politics, discuss community events, swap recipes and gossip about celebrities. It helps define my day, my outlook on life and what I care about. My friends are generous with their time, opinions and […]

Want to be more social? Talk to a six year old

It’s amazing how many adults suck at being social. We are typically terrified of intimate social conversations, anticipating that a judgmental and bloated egoist awaits us. Want to be better? Talk to a six year old. I was walking my dogs today when a school bus unloaded a pack of elementary school kids. They were […]

Social media – the free focus group

I’m a social-media binger. I jump on the merry-go-round of social media and then jump off to clear my head and stay focused on strategy and objectives. But my No. 1 objective when I jump on is to listen. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube all have different communities for eaves dropping and learning. They […]

Trusting great journalism begins with a commitment to a truthful narrative

I have been married to journalism professionally and personally for nearly two decades. My husband is a journalist. I used to be a journalist. I don’t always agree with journalists, but I know I cannot live without them. In February, I lost my college friend Anthony Shadid, a two-time Pulitzer winner for The New York […]

Anthony Shadid – Journalism Inspired

I lost a college friend. The world lost one of the best journalists on the planet. His family lost a son, a brother, a husband, and a father. His name was Anthony Shadid. The journalism world has been mourning his loss, but celebrating the ferocity of his talent and the humbleness of his human spirit. […]

Know what the shot is

“You want to learn the first rule you’d know if you’d ever spent a day in your life? You never open your mouth until you know what the shot is.” – Ricky Roma (played by Al Pacino), Glengarry Glen Ross Only three questions matter in marketing: Do you love me? Do you hate me? Why? […]

Facebook less. Book more face. Go have lunch!

Facebook less and book more face and your social media marketing will flourish Connecting with people on a personal level is direct marketing at its basic and best. And it makes your work life happier and more productive. If you have 500 connections on Linked-In, but only have lunch with targeted peers and clients twice […]