Case studies
Learn about my approach and how my clients benefit from working with me.
Branding through messaging
AlphaPlus
Your nonprofit’s brand should be shaped by your strategic focus and direction, but can it work the other way around? In this case study, I talk about the brand messaging platform I developed for AlphaPlus and the first two steps we took to roll it out.
In addition, I include Executive Director Alan Cherwinski’s perspective on how brand messaging guides communications — and business strategy — today.
Website content strategy and copywriting
Threads of Life
Can you get by with tackling specific sections, or do you need a new website? The website content strategy I developed with Susan Haldane at Threads of Life to guide updates to their programs and services section ultimately led to a new site build. This Q&A with Susan looks at the shift in scope, lessons learned along the way, and how she felt about working with me.
Website content strategy - revisited
Maytree
How often should you revisit your nonprofit’s website content strategy?
Markus Stadelmann-Elder at Maytree revisited his strategy after just five years. In this Q&A, you can learn about Markus’s decision to start over with strategy, what changed the second time, and his thoughts on working with me.
Website content strategy and copywriting
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
Where do you start when redesigning a site comprised of thousands of pages built upon the wishes and preferences of dozens of internal stakeholders? As you should for a site of any size, start with content strategy.
This case study explores a multi-year website content strategy and copywriting project with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services and how prioritizing content gave them a framework for redesigning a vast and complex website.
Communications audit
AlphaPlus
How do you go about optimizing your nonprofit’s extremely limited communications resources? You need to start by understanding your current picture. This case study explores the communications audit I conducted for AlphaPlus and the recommendations I made to reduce frustration and create alignment.
Story writing
TechSoup Canada
What does it take to get the greatest possible value when you’re outsourcing content creation? It’s about being organized, knowing what you need your content to achieve and setting up a few simple conditions for success. This case study describes how I worked with TechSoup Canada to set up and implement a story writing system.
Website (microsite) content strategy
Ontario Nonprofit Network
If you’re going to invest in building a website, are you willing to invest in a plan for what that site will communicate and the content it will contain? This case study explores how I worked with the Ontario Nonprofit Network to create a content strategy for their Decent Work for Women microsite.
Story writing
Oakville Community Foundation
Sometimes my clients have everything they need – strategy, story leads, a plan for using the stories – with just one piece missing: the internal resources to interview subjects and get their stories written. This case study is a behind-the-scenes look at my work with the Oakville Community Foundation, including insights into the benefits and challenges of telling stories about an organization’s financial supporters.
Story writing
Imagine Canada
Rather than “another thing to do”, story writing can and should boost the impact of your existing communications tactics. This case study showcases my work with Imagine Canada, using stories to bring the work described in their annual report to life.