Your New Year’s Resolutions: Communications Style

Another year, another list of resolutions. But don’t worry, this post won’t talk about eating healthy meals or hitting the gym. Rather, here is a list of resolutions to level up your communications strategy and skills in the new year. Which are you excited to take on?

Write more

Are you hoping to write more in the new year?

• Draft that op-ed you’ve always been meaning to write. Here is some of our top op-ed advice.
• Pitch the op-ed. Here’s everything you need to know.
• Promote your now-published op-ed. Here are some tips.

Make new friends

From journalists to advocates, here are some strategies to make new connections in the new year.

• Experiment with Twitter Spaces to reach new audiences.
• Follow 5 reporters who cover your issue. Here are some ways to find the right reporters, or reach out to us for ideas about the best ones for your issue.
• Build a Twitter list of top reporters who cover your issue(s)—or subscribe to ours. Learn how to use Twitter lists more effectively in your work.
• Introduce yourself to a new reporter on your beat. Here are some tips to build relationships with journalists.
• Remind yourself what it means to be on-the-record, off-the-record, on-background, and not-for-attribution. 
• Write a Twitter thread to respond to a story.
• Engage your elected officials. Here are some tips for the best ways to do that.

Plan ahead

2022 is sure to be a big year with many media opportunities.

• Work on your organization’s crisis communications plan *in advance*. Read more about that here and here.
• Organize your content to respond to upcoming events. Learn more about how we organize content before a crisis or big news event.
• Reach out to us to set up a tailored training for your organization about building your strategic communications plan.

Raise more money

• This post shares 12 strategies to use your communications successes to raise more money and build more power, from creating your own buzz to building a legacy fund. 

Learn to say no (and stop apologizing)

• From overcommitting to over-apologizing, our post about gender traps in communications (and how to dismantle them) will give you data-driven strategies to try this year.

Pass the mic

• Know someone in the progressive movement whose perspectives you want to amplify? Learn more about our Voiceshare Initiative and reach out to us for training, coaching, and support.

Get a facelift (no, not literally)

• Rewrite the staff bio on your website. Have recent media hits to add? New projects to describe? Learn more about what journalists are looking for in those bios.
• Update your Twitter bio. Here are some things reporters are looking for when they’re searching for experts.
• Refresh your avatar and/or cover photo. Here’s some inspiration.

Take to the streets

• Here are 9 ways to amplify your local vigil or protest, ensuring you get media coverage for your event.

Protect yourself and your team

• This post shares strategies to bolster your digital security and protect yourselves, your staff, and your loved ones from doxxing. Keep yourselves safe so you can continue to put your expertise out there.