6 Seconds to Sell the Story, Tighter Communications, and Using Video to Mark a Milestone: The Creative Company's Newsletter
Laura Gallagher
Creative Company President, 2022 Dane County Small Business of the Year Winner, 2021 Winner Governor's Business Plan Competiton, 2019 SBA's Women in Business Champion of the Year, Wisconsin Trailblazer, Author
Dear Friends of The Creative Company,
Creating a compelling narrative and communicating well and often, these are all things that brands must do in the age of speed. Research shows that you only have six seconds to capture someone's attention on a website. Too much noise and you'll lose them at "hello". Your messaging must be crystal clear.
We’ll show you a few examples in this month’s issue of the newsletter. One of the things I almost always say when I hand someone my card is “Everything communicates.” They then touch the card and feel the slightly raised tensegrity texture on the back and smile. In a moment, I have earned their trust. This is the magic of what we do and yet there’s a science to it as well.
Being a communicator in the digital age requires a lot of us. From issues management to public relations, SEO, design and more, being on message has never been more mission-critical. Writing a compelling narrative that speaks to your stakeholders is your highest calling. Once you’re on point, your team can run.
Earlier this summer I spent a week at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in a continuing ed class studying fiction writing. I wanted to understand what it takes to keep a reader from leaving the book on the table in an age of constant pings. How do you get them to turn the page, to click, to want to see more? A good story wins every time.
Being able to write a story that leaves the reader wanting more has never been more important. You must earn their attention and trust. Having the systems and processes in place to help those ideas to spread quickly is the next step and then you’re off and running because great ideas naturally spread.
In that same spirit, you’ll find a few examples of our work in this month’s newsletter. We hope they inspire to tell great stories and to make a difference right where you are.
Thank you for reading and being part of our creative community of community-minded, values-based leaders who are on a mission to make the world a better place!
With gratitude,
THE POWER OF VIDEO PRODUCTION
MIDWEST ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES HIRES CREATIVE COMPANY TO SHOW 20-YEAR LEGACY IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES
Midwest Environmental Advocates (MEA), a non-profit environmental law center in Madison, Wisconsin is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. MEA hired the Creative Company to produce a video celebrating this milestone. The goal of the video was to show the heart and soul of MEA and its mission, which is to protect water, air, land, and government for this generation and the next.
Do you want to learn more about having your story come to life through video?
TIGHTER COMMUNICATIONS:
IS BRAND MESSAGING AND SEO MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE?
All Hail the Brand Message?
Back in the day, brand messaging, public relations, and search engine optimization (SEO), were very separate marketing tactics. Almost “silos” in yesterday’s corporate speak.
Brand messaging and public relations are not recent inventions. Kings and queens wanted to extend their lineage through time (watch any episode of The Crown or Game of Thrones). Positive public messages and images are tactics that royalty has long used to keep the populace at the plow and new soldiers on the battlefield.
A mere babe, search engine optimization started 20 plus years ago when marketers realized that being on the first page of a Google result set is ten times better than being result #12 on page 2. But how prevalent has organic search become in brand perception?
- 93% of online experiences begin with a search engine. (Source: SEJ)
- 50% of all searches are four words or longer. (Source: Hubspot)
- 46% of all Google searches are local. (Source: TechJury)
- 16% of mobile users prefer voice search or a search engine app.
- 21% of users access more than one of the search results. (Source: MoZ)
How can looking at the intersection of SEO and brand messaging and public relations tighten your overall communications?
LEARN MORE ABOUT SEO AND BRAND MESSAGING
AMA MADISON'S 2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE: ELEVATE WITH AUTHENTICITY
Elevate with authenticity!
AMA Madison has built this year's conference around this theme, which empowers you to take your marketing to the next level by telling authentic, engaging stories, leveraging word of mouth, turning loyal customers into brand ambassadors, and much more!
Creative Company's President Laura Gallagher will be on the "Maintaining Authenticity in Times of Crisis" panel on crisis communications. Hope to see you there!
Date: Thursday, September 26th from 8 AM – 4 PM
Location: Best Western Premier Park Hotel
22 S Carroll St, Madison
Looking for a dynamic speaker for your next engagement?
Laura Gallagher, President of The Creative Company and the author of “#180in120® How to Recharge your Business and Change Your Life,” will speak candidly about the steps you need to take to get from here to there. Trust Laura to engage your audience. Your attendees will leave inspired to improve, day-to-day, week-to-week, and year-to-year. Start your journey now!
Get a copy of #180in120®, your road map for businesses in today's economy.
#180in120® is about focused results in the next quarter. By setting a time limit, getting honest about the things that are holding you back and creating a focused plan to improve everything from systems to culture, your company will change. You will change. Keeping in mind that you’re the linchpin to whatever happens next, the first step is to get out of your own head and remember you can take the time to think, plan and restore your company and your energy to normal.
