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Rod Laird Library
Communications and marketing
How community and residents’ groups can write a winning fundraising letter when there isn’t much spare cash around (01 Dec 2018)
Try to sound like a dedicated bunch of ordinary people who care deeply. Because unless that comes across, you’ve got no hope
8 home truths to remember when you write to someone to give you money (18 Nov 2018)
“Pockets are the most sensitive part of a human being: that’s why we need to touch hearts and minds first”. President Lula da Silva of Brazil
These 10 top tips for proof-reading may be simple – but they will make a difference (10 Sep 2018)
Have you noticed how even tiny things can make big differences when it comes to communications?
If you ask questions, you get ideas (05 Jul 2018)
A step by step guide to overcoming the panic those blank pages produce
Writing that works - for blogs, websites, newsletters, leaflets and reports (08 May 2018)
How to write so clearly and persuasively that other people read, understand – and do what you want.
15 ways to improve your reports and presentations (23 Apr 2018)
No matter how good your efforts, they count for nothing unless you explain what is happening and “sell” what you are doing to all concerned.
Secrets of headlines that make people want to read your social media posts (04 Mar 2018)
- and other tricks that help you get your message across
13 tricky situations an experienced trainer should know how to handle (06 Feb 2018)
Training can be one of the toughest jobs you will ever do. But it can be hugely rewarding. And the trick is to make it fun - for everyone, including you.
What to do and what NOT to do - when you (or anyone else) writes to get funds or help (17 Nov 2017)
This simple check-list will give you a far better chance of success in these dire times
Where do older people go for ideas about services? (05 Nov 2017)
Is this a problem for your organisation?
When marketing to older people is a matter of life and death (24 Oct 2017)
Many older people simply don’t know what products and services are available to help them. This means you have a tough marketing job on your hands. Here are 10 things to think about
"How these simple tricks get your writing read" (01 Aug 2017)
Whether you think you’re a natural writer or not you can always improve. And it’s quite easy.
10 marketing tips for consulting with the community (20 Jul 2017)
Genuine community involvement starts with effective communication - and that starts with good marketing
Is this the funniest complaint letter ever? After you stop laughing, why there’s a lesson here for you (28 Jun 2016)
Complaints on the Internet aren’t a laughing matter. How do you handle them?
How to write a letter to get a job – even if they have already turned you down once (22 Jun 2016)
Whatever the business, the principles are the same
What goes through the mind of a master fundraiser – in his own words (14 Jun 2016)
Albert Einstein said “Examples are not just a way to teach; they are the only way to teach.”
How to write a letter to get a job (02 Jun 2016)
Most people never write a more important letter than this
How a simple letter doubled the membership of the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (15 May 2016)
What goes through the mind of a master letter-writer – in his own words
10 tips for selling care and support services to older people (17 Dec 2015)
If you provide any sort of services or activities to older people, you know very well why this topic is so acutely relevant
How to pitch for a project (09 Sep 2015)
How attention to detail, being enthusiastic and paying attention to your audience can make your bid a rip roaring success
10 things to help you make a winning pitch (02 Sep 2015)
What works – and why
How not to make a successful pitch for a new project (25 Aug 2015)
Pitching - an essential skill for anyone selling a new idea
How to keep people reading what you have written (12 Aug 2015)
Forget what your teacher told you: "And" is often used to start sentences in The Bible.
Would you like an in house course like this? (01 Jul 2015)
Many of our courses can be run in house, in a venue of your choice, at the time which suits you
Make sure your communications don’t exclude those older people who most need your help (27 Jun 2015)
How to use public relations to connect with older people who don't know about you
Ten tips for marketing music and dance classes to older people (25 Jun 2015)
Music and dance works when more traditional methods don’t – in unexpected ways - with people you might not otherwise motivate
Marketing – an essential new skill for supported housing (23 Jun 2015)
How to sort out what works from what doesn’t – and understand why
10 things people communicating with older people should never do (18 Jun 2015)
Don’t let design waste your time, pots of money, and, most importantly, a golden opportunity to communicate a valuable message
Here is a surprising new place to get your message across to older people (12 Jun 2015)
Try your local cinema foyer – the results might surprise you
How do you prove your claims are true? (08 Jun 2015)
That’s where review sites, independent figures and testimonials come in
How to sell care services to older people – what your colleagues think (03 Jun 2015)
Is there any greater, more taxing challenge than this? Yet surprisingly few social landlords know enough about it. Here’s a workshop that helps
How to grow the number of appointments booked on your website (01 Jun 2015)
An essential skill for anyone marketing care and support services
Empowering older residents to be self-supporting - what's worrying your colleagues? (27 May 2015)
One of your trickiest marketing problems
5 ways of making your surveys more mobile friendly (20 Jan 2015)
Mobile phones are not the same as other survey channels, so there are some things you are going to have to think about
115 policy and research staff from social landlords on Twitter (A - L) (19 Nov 2014)
It's back - new and improved
150 social landlord CEO's on Twitter (A-F) (10 Nov 2014)
Want to keep up to date with what's going on in the housing sector? Start here
150 social landlord CEO's on Twitter (G-Z) (10 Nov 2014)
Want to keep up to date with what's going on in the housing sector? Start here
200 of your colleagues with new ideas (A - F) (03 Nov 2014)
You praised it to the skies! So it’s back again – “new and improved”
200 of your colleagues with new ideas (G - L) (03 Nov 2014)
You praised it to the skies! So it’s back again – “new and improved”
200 of your colleagues with new ideas (M - Z) (03 Nov 2014)
You praised it to the skies! So it’s back again – “new and improved”
A step by step guide on how to insult your readers (14 Oct 2014)
You know how every now and then you read something and say “That really hit the mark”?
Four steps to the complete communication (03 Sep 2014)
This simple check-list will give you a far better chance of success with your written work
15 things to think about when writing online copy (22 Aug 2014)
These top tips could save you a lot of time and trouble
Why you need to be careful when using humour (05 Aug 2014)
Use of puns and jokes..
When marketing anything spelling things out in detail usually works best (03 Aug 2014)
Why you need to spell things out
A checklist for jargon (18 Jun 2014)
Words and phrases we should all be careful of
What people like to read (03 Apr 2014)
Secrets of headlines that make people want to read
15 MORE things to think about when writing online copy (20 Mar 2014)
Online writing that gets read
15 things to think about when writing online copy (17 Mar 2014)
Here are some simple points to consider when you next write something online.
What your colleagues would like to use their customer’s stories for and what some of their concerns are (17 Feb 2014)
Your colleagues probably know better than anyone - so I am sure you can relate to what they had to say when I recently asked for their thoughts on using stories in their work
What your colleagues would like to use their customer’s stories for and what some of their concerns are (17 Feb 2014)
Your colleagues probably know better than anyone - so I am sure you can relate to what they had to say when I recently asked for their thoughts on using stories in their work
How to get people to stay until the end of an event (05 Feb 2014)
7 ways to avoid a trickle becoming a flood
It’s tough to get even at the best of times but you’ll be amazed by what funds and help you can get even now - if you know how to go about it (09 Jan 2014)
How to get sponsorship and support for your events – even in these tough times
How to develop and make a winning business case for your training programmes (02 Dec 2013)
It’s never been more important to know how to demonstrate the benefits of training. Get it right and you win support (and money) – get it wrong and you struggle to get backers
15 things about writing you may have wondered about (24 Oct 2013)
I have been trying to lure this speaker for 5 years to do in house training - and now I’ve finally managed to twist his arm and he’s agreed.
At last, the essential step-by-step guide - How to plan, organise and run a successful event (23 Oct 2013)
How attention to detail, being aware of the blindingly obvious and thinking ahead can make your event a rip roaring success
Ten simple reasons why you should consider using social media when you recruit staff (22 Oct 2013)
LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter – everyone’s using them, so it makes sense that you use them to find the best staff - but where do you start?
101 Chief Executives from social landlords on Twitter - (by region) (10 Oct 2013)
Want to keep up to date with what's going on in the housing sector? Start here
Fed up asking people to contribute an article? (23 Sep 2013)
Here’s what to do
A step by step guide to overcoming the panic those blank pages produce (11 Sep 2013)
Where on earth do you start if you’ve never written a report or article before?
100 communications officers from social landlords on Twitter (05 Sep 2013)
It’s back – “new and improved” – a list of as many communications and marketing officers from social landlords as I could find.
120 social landlord staff who work in the community (19 Aug 2013)
It’s back – “new and improved” – a list of as many officers from social landlords who work in the community as I could find.
10 icebreakers for training sessions that really do work (17 Aug 2013)
You may know what you want to achieve – and how. But your staff and how they react to training sessions are the determining factor
11 Communications staff from Fire Services on Twitter (16 Aug 2013)
Want to keep up with the public sector? Start here.
Want to be sure what you write is read, understood - and gets action? (15 Aug 2013)
Obey these Ten Commandments
40 Chief Constables on Twitter (12 Aug 2013)
Have I got my facts right?
Ten things to think about when making eye contact at presentations (10 Aug 2013)
Priceless advice from a top expert
If you work in public relations these 8 questions might help you (09 Aug 2013)
You know, I am sure, that public relations work is far from easy, and often downright frustrating.
What London Borough of Newham has learnt from providing interpreting services to over 110 different languages and dialects (08 Aug 2013)
Is this a problem for your organisation?
Handling complaints on social media – how to get the right “tone of voice” (29 Jul 2013)
It’s better to train good customer service people in social media, than good social media people in customer service...
60 Police and Crime Commissioners on Twitter (25 Jul 2013)
Want to keep up with the public sector? Start here.
8 ways to overcome the panic those blank pages produce (18 Jul 2013)
If you are new to writing promotional material you probably know that getting going is one of the most difficult things to do.
42 Police forces on Twitter (16 Jul 2013)
Want to keep up with the public sector? Start here.
“A picture tells a thousand words.” And it can sometimes tell more than words, as this article reveals (15 Jul 2013)
How to use photography in research and evaluation
Want to be sure your writing gets read? Obey these 10 commandments (13 Jul 2013)
Writing that gets people to do what you want
Six steps to successful fundraising for social landlords (Part 2) (27 Jun 2013)
You have some great ideas for new community initiatives. But where will you get the money to carry them out? This article tells you how
Six steps to successful fundraising for social landlords (Part 1) (26 Jun 2013)
You have some great ideas for new community initiatives. But where will you get the money to carry them out? This guide tells you how
9 things that put donors off from giving you money (22 Jun 2013)
Here is the one thing you should never do. Don’t try to make the reader feel guilty. It kills interest immediately. Nobody likes feeling bad
50 council leaders on Twitter (20 Jun 2013)
Want to keep up with the public sector? Start here.
What’s the key to producing a good newsletter? A tight schedule that everybody sticks to (17 Jun 2013)
This tested programme of deadlines ensures you get it right every time
How to make your messages easy to read and understand: surprising research (14 Jun 2013)
"Surprising and useful …indispensable to anyone involved in communicating ideas through typographic means" - Milton Glaser
10 ideas for cost effective communications with non English speakers (13 Jun 2013)
You’ve probably come across many communications experts - and many researchers. But what makes Andrew Sills highly unusual is that he combines both skills.
9 things to think about when communicating changes in welfare benefits to non English speakers (05 Jun 2013)
Is this a problem for your organisation?
100 officers from social landlords on Twitter who work in the community (04 Jun 2013)
It’s back – “new and improved” – a list of as many officers from social landlords who work in the community as I could find.
Why you should be careful when using humour in a newsletter (04 Jun 2013)
Subtle plays on words make us feel good - however in writing a newsletter they should be avoided at all costs
30 Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers on Twitter - Why not follow yours? (03 Jun 2013)
Want to keep up with the public sector? Start here.
Words and phrases we should all be careful of (03 Jun 2013)
How to write so clearly and persuasively that other people read, understand – and do what you want
7 tips for communicating effectively with non - English speakers (01 Jun 2013)
You’ve probably come across many communications experts - and many researchers. But what makes Andrew Sills highly unusual is that he combines both skills.
16 Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers on Twitter - Why not follow yours? (30 May 2013)
Here's another "daft" list.
10 top tips: a final checklist after you have written an article for a newsletter (11 May 2013)
Have you got it right?
52 Fire Services on Twitter - Why not follow yours? (10 May 2013)
Do it now while it's fresh in your mind
20 things you should never, ever do with a newsletter (13 Apr 2013)
Rather than tell you what to do let me tell you 20 things not to do based on some newsletters I saw some time ago.
101 Chief Executives from social landlords on Twitter - who have I missed? (10 Apr 2013)
Want to keep up to date with what's going on in the housing sector? Start here
Five guidelines for using translated material (04 Apr 2013)
If you must use translated materials these points may help
80 chief executives of social landlords worth keeping an eye on (01 Apr 2013)
Want to keep up to date with what's going on in the housing sector? Start here
70 housing managers in social landlords worth keeping an eye on (07 Mar 2013)
Want to keep up to date with what's going on in the housing sector? Start here
60 communications and marketing staff from social landlords on Twitter (22 Feb 2013)
Twitter – the perfect way to stay in touch with your peers. You control who you connect with - and you can turn it off when you want
60 or so policy, performance management and research staff from social landlords on Twitter (19 Feb 2013)
Twitter – the perfect way to stay in touch with your peers. You control who you connect with - and you can turn it off when you want
70 tenant involvement and community development staff from social landlords on Twitter (18 Feb 2013)
It’s back – “new and improved” – a list of as many tenant involvement and community development officers from RSL’s as I could find
Here’s two ingenious but wonderfully simple new ways to protect your vulnerable residents from nuisance phone calls (15 Jan 2013)
Door step, mail and telephone scams - and how they prey on vulnerable tenants
Two simple but important questions about managing a complaint on social media (14 Jan 2013)
What’s worrying your colleagues about complaints made on social media?
Social housing providers in Australia on Twitter (10 Jan 2013)
Twitter – the perfect way to stay in touch. You control who you connect with - and you can turn it off when you want
What to do when people make abusive comments on Facebook about your staff (08 Jan 2013)
Social media : a double edged sword. Make sure the risk doesn’t kill the opportunity
Don’t worry if your copy is long – make it interesting and your audience will read it (04 Jan 2013)
Why long fundraising letters work better than shorter ones
Away days – the perfect way to improve service delivery (03 Jan 2013)
Actually one of THE most useful things we do is not a course at all
Some useful tips from our colleagues Down under on writing newsletters (02 Jan 2013)
Secrets of designing newsletters that will get read
5 types of mail scams and what you should tell your residents to look out for (01 Jan 2013)
Why you should be especially wary of “dazzling mail”
The nightmare of nuisance phone calls for your vulnerable tenants (31 Dec 2012)
Are your residents being targeted by the usual culprits? At last help is at hand.
50 tenant involvement and community development staff from social landlords on Twitter (19 Dec 2012)
It’s back – “new and improved” – a list of as many tenant involvement and community development officers from RSL’s as I could find
What do different ethnic groups think about smoke detectors? (17 Dec 2012)
Are your ethnic minority residents as safe as they should be? Here’s some research findings to help you.
30 more CEO's from social landlords on Twitter (09 Dec 2012)
Want to keep up with what's going on in the housing sector - start here
What the research found about ethnic minority groups and fire safety issues (06 Dec 2012)
Are your ethnic minority residents as safe as they should be? Here’s some research findings to help you.
12 things IT staff have to think about when organizations begin to use social media (04 Dec 2012)
A few people take the trouble to write to me and comment or suggest things, which I do appreciate
After poisonous snakes, the thing people fear most is speaking to an audience - no matter how large or small (29 Nov 2012)
15 things you need to do so that you turn a nerve wracking duty into a positive triumph.
Can you help a colleague? (27 Nov 2012)
They really would appreciate it
Ten ways to support your staff’s use of social media (14 Nov 2012)
Quite frankly, this is more than an article about a particular problem or subject. It is about how society is changing – and how organisations must change as well
Social media campaigns: A force for good or cowards on keyboards? (11 Oct 2012)
A reminder from Down Under on how social media has changed the world
50 local government Chief Executives on Twitter (10 Oct 2012)
Twitter – the perfect way to stay in touch with your peers. You control who you connect with - and you can turn it off when you want
What worries you about social media? (04 Oct 2012)
23 things that concern your colleagues
25 tenant involvement and community development staff on Twitter (24 Sep 2012)
It’s back – “new and improved” – a list of as many tenant involvement and community development officers from RSL’s as I could find
23 chief executives of local authorities on Twitter worth following (18 Sep 2012)
Twitter – the perfect way to stay in touch with your peers. You control who you connect with - and you can turn it off when you want
How good marketing kills apathy, gets bums on seats and makes sure community groups get off to a flying start (17 Sep 2012)
Get it wrong and no one shows up, heads lower and people moan about no one wanting to get involved. It can be terribly dispiriting
10 dopey things people working in the community should never, ever do (12 Sep 2012)
If no one turned up at your last event maybe it’s because you didn’t interest them
50 chief executives of social landlords worth keeping an eye on (12 Sep 2012)
Twitter – the perfect way to stay in touch with your peers. You control who you receive information from - and you can turn it off when you want.
Can you give me a hand? (12 Sep 2012)
I really would appreciate your help with this
What did our “daft” list of CEO’s and others from social landlords on Twitter do for you – practically? (12 Sep 2012)
Can you spare one minute to tell me?
6 problems that anyone who’s responsible for social media should be prepared for (11 Sep 2012)
Social media: a double edged sword. Make sure the risk doesn’t kill the opportunity
10 things a CEO shouldn’t do on social media (30 Aug 2012)
Read them now: they will save you a lot of time and bother later
After poisonous snakes the thing researchers fear most is writing research reports and than presenting the results (29 Aug 2012)
12 simple rules for clear writing in research reports
10 things a Chief Executive should do on social media and an update on that “daft” list (22 Aug 2012)
Priceless tips for all CEO's using social media
Ten things to make your research presentations more effective (22 Aug 2012)
Some simple rules to follow that will help get your message across
40 social media workshops to guide you to success in challenging times (21 Aug 2012)
Before we ran our first social media course I said that if it didn’t attract more people than anything I have ever run, that I would eat my hat. Well, I was right and my hat has been pretty safe ever since.
Tweeting – an entirely new way for tenant involvement officers to communicate with residents – Plus 19 of your colleagues worth looking out for (21 Aug 2012)
Twitter - Life moves pretty fast - and so does Twitter - so you need to keep up
What should and shouldn’t the police use social media for? (16 Aug 2012)
By a sad coincidence disasters invariably throw up rich learning experiences we can all benefit from
Why one of your learning and development colleagues would appreciate some company (16 Aug 2012)
Twitter is great but not when you are doing it on your own
23 Chief Executives who might interest you (15 Aug 2012)
If you’ve attended any of our events you’ll have learned one thing
The 60 most popular people from social landlords on Twitter (10 Aug 2012)
It’s back – “new and improved” – Just about everything you need to know about who from social landlords are on Twitter
Should CEO's tweet? (07 Aug 2012)
Twitter - Life moves pretty fast - and so does Twitter - so you need to keep up
Five different options for managing your social media activities (03 Aug 2012)
New staff can cost the earth – are you sure you need them?
"Tweeting" a useful service for anyone working in the community (02 Aug 2012)
Twitter - Life moves pretty fast - and so does Twitter - so you need to keep up
If you are wondering how on earth to make Twitter work for you here’s some sound advice (01 Aug 2012)
Start by getting your Chief Executive on board and Twitter will catch on like wildfire
The 35 most popular people from social landlords on Twitter (26 Jul 2012)
Life moves pretty fast – and so does Twitter - so you need to keep up
If you have ever panicked or lost sleep because you have a research report to write - and you’ve been putting it off - this is for you (25 Jul 2012)
Not the world’s most riveting subject, but that doesn’t affect the fact that it is immensely important
How social media was used to promote safe sex messages (21 Jul 2012)
Do you provide health information? This might interest you.
Here'e some research about social media that might help you get your message across (14 Jul 2012)
Leading UK social relations public relations firm reveals how to manage complaints and make social media work for you
MORE tips from your colleagues about Facebook (04 Jul 2012)
These priceless tips will guide you through the maze of what to do and what not to do with Facebook
MORE thoughts on accessibility and social media (29 Jun 2012)
Can your service users and staff with disabilities easily access your Facebook, Twitter and Youtube sites?
"Are Twitter and Facebook changing the way we complain?" (26 Jun 2012)
When people complain now, where do they go? Social media. Why? Because it’s easier than phoning a call centre. And stories travel lightning fast. It has never been so easy for so many people to criticise you or your organisation.
14 questions to ask yourself when someone uses the Internet to attack your organisation (26 Jun 2012)
It has never been so easy for so many people to criticise you or your organisation.
Ever wondered how blind people access iPhones and iPads? (26 Jun 2012)
Some useful resources to help you make social media more accessible to everyone
Social media is a marvel – but are you making it easy for everyone to use it? (15 Jun 2012)
What makes Facebook and Twitter difficult for people with disabilities to use. Some problems for you to be aware of
Something important for you: Customers with a grievance are now using social media to humiliate organisations (07 Jun 2012)
The way the public communicate is changing so fast it’s almost incredible. It also means that the way they air their grievances about you is changing Tweet
Tips from your colleagues to help attract people to your Facebook site (06 Jun 2012)
Here are some practical suggestions that won’t fail you
7 habits to keep you safe online (30 May 2012)
Useful advice for anyone starting out with social media
11 things you should do BEFORE your research project (22 May 2012)
Why it pays to "set the stage" for your research projects and evaluations
How people with disabilities can best use social media (15 May 2012)
Social media: a double edged sword. Make sure the technology doesn’t kill the benefits
Thoughts on how to use social media to get more people to attend your events (04 Mar 2012)
Priceless advice from an expert
Slides from How to handle a complaint on social media (28 Jan 2012)
Download the slides now by logging in on the right hand side panel where it says Log in. If you don't yet have a password to log in which is the most likely case you will need to first register. You can do this either in the right hand panel where it says New? or you can do it at the bottom of this page where it says "Like to have access to this and hundreds of other articles like it. Register now!" Once you have registered return here by using the back button on the toolbar and if necessary refresh the page. Any problems please email enquiries@rodlaird.co.uk
Want to be sure what you write is read, understood - and gets action? (06 Oct 2011)
Obey these Ten Commandments Tweet
“Kids” are not all the same. Why you need to realise how children and young people use Social Networking Sites (SNSs) and Web 2.0. quite differently (16 Jul 2011)
Younger ones like to consume content while older ones prefer to make their own – so you need to tailor your Internet projects with them accordingly
What worries you about social networking? (22 Jun 2011)
Social networking sites won't go away but sometimes it's comforting to know that others are just as confused as you are
10 tips for building social media into your learning and development (16 Jun 2011)
Ten simple suggestions for introducing some inspiration into your learning and development
21 ways to use social media to inspire your volunteers (15 Jun 2011)
One of the USA’s top volunteering experts reveals all
Thoughts on how to get more Facebook friends (09 Jun 2011)
Priceless advice from an expert
Want to get more people at your residents' meetings? First ask yourself a few simple, but essential questions. They will give you a far clearer idea of what to say (18 Apr 2011)
A checklist of 19 questions to ask before you write your promotional material. Answer them well and you have a good chance of ending up with a full house. Tweet
Ten reasons why you should pay attention to what this communications team did with social media (28 Feb 2011)
Who knows what you're up against better than your colleagues?
More thoughts on what makes a good research report (09 Feb 2011)
Priceless advice from an expert
What worries you about social networking? (06 Feb 2011)
Social networking sites won't go away but sometimes it's comforting to know that others are just as confused as you are
Ten reasons why social landlords should consider using webinars to train their staff (22 Jan 2011)
Here’s what a top webinar trainer advises – and I know from experience how good his suggestions are
7 top tips – What to do before you set up an online community for a residents’ or community group (06 Jan 2011)
Success is much more likely if you think about these 7 things before you go near the Internet
Delegates' questions and some answers from our Webinar on How to use Facebook to engage and consult with your communities (19 Dec 2010)
Practise makes perfect which is probably why it was such a success
Delegates' questions, answers and the slides from our first Webinar on How to use Facebook to engage and consult with your communities (19 Dec 2010)
Practise makes perfect which is probably why it was such a success
The slides from How to write powerful copy for newsletters, posters and leaflets (16 Dec 2010)
Download the slides now by logging in on the right hand side panel where it says Log in. If you don't yet have a password to log in which is the most likely case you will need to first register. You can do this either in the right hand panel where it says New? or you can do it at the bottom of this page where it says "Like to have access to this and hundreds of other articles like it. Register now!" Once you have registered you will be able to log on in the right hand panel and access the slides. You may need to use the address that was emailed to you to find the slides on the website. Any problems email enquiries@rodlaird.co.uk
Ten ways to support your staff’s use of social media (14 Nov 2010)
Quite frankly, this is more than an article about a particular problem or subject. It is about how society is changing – and how organisations must change as well
Some facts and figures about how children and young people use social networking sites (01 Nov 2010)
Some surprising, some not – in any case you can’t leave out SNS from how you communicate with them any longer
A step by step guide for organisations on how to set up and use Facebook (31 Oct 2010)
Facebook is great – its even overtaken Google - but there are some do's and don'ts that organisations simply must be aware of
Can Facebook be set up in Welsh? Yes of course it can, but… (27 Oct 2010)
….there is something else to think about
How webinars are being used to support staff through some tough times (26 Oct 2010)
A remarkably simple way to deliver cost effective training and support for your staff when it’s necessary
How do you post a video on YouTube that doesn’t bore the pants off residents? Follow these simple rules – starting with WIIFM (22 Oct 2010)
YouTube will soon overtake Google as the place to go and find things out - so you really should find out what works
Are you Ninging yet? Here's something definitely worth a look if you want to communicate more effectively (10 Oct 2010)
Social networking is a lot more than Facebook and YouTube
What your colleagues would like to use Facebook for and what some of their concerns are (04 Jul 2010)
Your colleagues probably know better than anyone - so I am sure you can relate to what they had to say when I recently asked for their thoughts on Facebook
What your colleagues think about social networking sites (01 Jun 2010)
Where do you stand with parents who want you to be your friend?
Goodness! Even MORE thoughts from your colleagues about Facebook. So many of you must think it’s important – and we agree (22 May 2010)
Facebook is great – it’s even overtaken Google - but there are some do’s and don’ts about how to use it
“Tweeting” an entirely new service (15 May 2010)
Twitter – Life moves pretty fast – and so does Twitter - so you need to keep up
7 things to do to prevent tackling Staff Internet misuse (26 Feb 2010)
What to do to prevent misuse of the Internet
Staff misuse of the Internet can occur in the most unexpected ways. After you stop laughing, why there’s a lesson here for you. (18 Feb 2010)
Gaffes on the Internet aren’t always a laughing matter. How do you handle them?
Why mobile phones and Twitter go hand in hand (14 Oct 2009)
3 times as many people own a mobile phone as a personal computer and they are a lot quicker to use - so any half decent communications strategy should allow for them
Twitter, Twitter – What’s it all about – and can it help your organization? (04 Oct 2009)
A mountain of useless trivia – or a useful weapon? Life moves pretty fast – and so does Twitter - so you need to keep up
What to do when terror strikes... because your projector fails to fire up (15 Sep 2009)
Whatever you do don’t panic. Take these 12 essential tips with you. If things don’t go to plan, read them calmly - and relax
ISSUE 1: How to write a letter that keeps residents’ spirits up (13 Sep 2009)
A short, step-by-step guide to writing in a way that means something - and gets results
How to write a letter to get a job (19 Aug 2009)
Most of us never write a more important letter - and now it’s even more vital
The right words are far more likely to be read if they are linked to the right pictures (10 Aug 2009)
Some simple advice on how to make the two work together
How to write a letter to get a job (19 Jul 2009)
Most of us never write a more important letter - and now it’s even more vital
Series 2 - Non-English speakers: The seven stages of effective communication to English and non-English speakers (09 Jul 2009)
How does your organisation rate? Spend a few minutes finding out.
Rods Reflections – MORE thoughts (and solutions) from delegates on social networking (27 Jun 2009)
Not the most straightforward subject – but very important and there’s an awful lot of food for thought here
Secrets of designing a newsletter that will get read (27 Jun 2009)
17 layout principles to bear in mind when designing or improving a newsletter
Three more helpful examples of organisations who are using social networking sites… maybe they will help you (19 Jun 2009)
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night saying, “Am I wasting my time? Does my work ever achieve anything?”
Facebook and how it can help your residents (17 Jun 2009)
YouTube, Wikis, social networking sites, photo-sharing sites, forums and bulletin boards, pod casts and videos, blogs, Twitter – they’re just some of the new media your residents are using
Rods Reflections – 13 social network marketing problems that desperately need your attention (14 Jun 2009)
Can you help? Your colleagues (and I) would deeply appreciate it
How seven organisations are using Social Networking sites to communicate and consult more effectively (12 Jun 2009)
If you don't know your Twitter from your YouTube you are missing out on a big trick
10 easy ways to make sure children read what you write – and, maybe, just maybe do what you want! (25 Apr 2009)
Some remarkably simple rules to help you grab their attention and keep their interest
What one organisation is doing to prevent too much consultation (08 Mar 2009)
Who’s surveying who? Do you know? Is time and money being squandered on needless duplication? When you want to keep a handle on it all, this simple but effective use of the Internet may be one answer
What a difference a day makes! See what Caroline did after spending a day with us – before and after (01 Mar 2009)
Are we just full of hot air – or do our courses really make a difference? You may wonder – if so this will interest you
How to write headlines that grab – and make people start reading (13 Feb 2009)
If the headline fails, so does the rest of the article. Yet most headlines are weak “label” headlines. What can you do?
Ten tips for raising sponsorship and exhibition monies for your event (03 Feb 2009)
There’s still tons of money out there, even with the recession. You just have to think through how someone else might be able to benefit from your event
Here are some surprising new places to get your message across to residents (29 Nov 2008)
Try bookmakers and nail bars – the results could delight you
Here’s one of the toughest marketing challenges you’ll ever face – promoting community involvement. What can you do? (20 Nov 2008)
How do you promote an environmental event to young people without boring the pants off them - and when you don’t even have their names?
MORE thoughts from delegates on what makes a good research report (23 Oct 2008)
Not the world’s most exciting subject – but very important and there’s a ton of good advice here
When you commission research, what should you look for in the reports you get? (08 Oct 2008)
What consultants should do with all the information you have paid them to collect – and how to measure how good a job they have done
How to write a report on your focus group findings (02 Oct 2008)
You can’t go wrong if you follow this advice and use these guidelines
43 ideas on how to write and communicate better (22 Sep 2008)
… that delegates got from us. Maybe some will help you too…
The success (or failure) of your event will be determined by what you do before delegates arrive (12 Sep 2008)
Your aim is to give your undivided attention to delegates. You can only do this if you are fully prepared. So here’s a check-list for you
Where on earth do you start if you’ve never written a newsletter before? (11 Sep 2008)
13 ways to overcome the panic those blank pages produce
11 questions to ask to make sure people send in the perfect photograph (one you can actually use!) for your newsletter (11 Aug 2008)
If you are clear about what you want you’ll avoid ending up with those painful mug shots of bored looking people in excruciatingly dull situations
14 essential steps to a successful conference (03 Aug 2008)
Here’s what a top conference organiser advises – and I know from experience how good his suggestions are
8 ways you can segment your audience - and why you should (08 Jul 2008)
If you want more people to attend your meetings and event, try acting like an old fashioned corner shopkeeper. They knew their customers and treated each one differently. It always pays.
33 things to think about when you check your newsletters and leaflets (10 May 2008)
Read them now: they will save you a lot of time and bother later
How to give your newsletter (or leaflet) a winning personal touch - and why it needs it (22 Mar 2008)
If you send out any message to individuals without making it as personal as possible you are making a big mistake
ISSUE 2 - How to write a letter that keeps residents’ spirits up (02 Mar 2008)
A short step-by-step guide to writing in a way that means something – and gets results
Fed up asking people to contribute to your newsletter? Here’s what to do (21 Feb 2008)
Try interviewing them – it’s quicker and far less stressful for everyone, provided you follow a few simple rules
A few silly questions to ask about your newsletter – with a few answers you might like to think about (10 Jan 2008)
I have no figures to prove it, but I bet the newsletter is the most common form of communication in the public sector
10 ways to save money and provide a better service to your Non English speaking customers (30 Nov 2007)
Including how a £2 phone socket saved one organisation thousands of pounds and hours and hours of valuable interpreting budget
How one organisation uses the Internet to communicate better with non English speakers (03 Nov 2007)
When you want everyone to understand, this simple concept may be the answer
How to get your local press to love you and help you (And it’s much easier than you think) (29 Oct 2007)
The secret is this: they need you as much as you need them
What’s the key to good copy that gets results? A good brief (11 Oct 2007)
This tested 5 x W formula ensures you get it right every time
Where print goes wrong – and how to get it right: some practical guidelines – including ways to save money (30 Sep 2007)
Start by specifying exactly what you want, with no room for doubt, and you’re half way there
10 top tips for producing a poster (11 Sep 2007)
The perfect poster is 5 words long!
10 top tips for writing a leaflet (21 Aug 2007)
You can plan for a leaflet as you would a newsletter, but the big difference is how much space you have.
How to write a successful newsletter - invaluable tips from delegates (21 Feb 2007)
Who knows what you're up against better than your colleagues?
Series 1 - Writing that works - for newsletters, leaflets and reports (03 Dec 2006)
How to write so clearly and persuasively that other people read, understand – and do what you want.
Issue 2: Tips to help your tenants produce newsletters people not only read - but look forward to (05 Nov 2006)
Desperately seeking ideas?
Series 1 - Non-English speakers: Good interpreting is essential – but how on earth can you afford it? (30 Oct 2006)
Do a better, less costly job with an effective in-house interpreting service
19 golden rules for writing copy for newsletters and leaflets that involves and persuades people (27 Sep 2006)
One of the UK’s top experts reveals all
Monthly Award Winning Story: Ingenious (and money-saving) way to talk to non-English speakers (25 Aug 2006)
Congratulations to Bernadette Speakman, PALS Manager, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals
Issue 1: Tips to help your tenants produce newsletters people not only read - but look forward to (13 May 2006)
It's the stories that count
What research found about what different ethnic groups think about smoke detectors (17 Dec 2002)
Are your ethnic minority residents as safe as they should be? Here’s some research findings to help you.
