damselfly digital

“Before you disturb the system in any way, watch how it behaves. Follow a system wherever it leads. It will be sure to lead across traditional disciplinary lines.” Donella Meadows I'm a marketer, but marketing myself is some of my most challenging work. Clarifying my unique value proposition has been a rewarding exercise in understanding not only what I do, but how I think, what I value, and what makes my approach different. The truth is,I'm a skilled, knowledgeable, and expe

Nonprofit growth depends on more than a compelling mission or a well-executed fundraising campaign. It depends on TRUST. People want to know who they're supporting, what an organization stands for, where their money goes, and whether their contribution will make a meaningful difference. Before someone becomes a donor, they need a reason to believe. That's why communications isn't simply a promotional function that supports fundraising. It's the foundation that makes sustainab

“Creativity is the ultimate differentiator and force multiplier.” Liz Taylor I've spent my career watching online marketing evolve. I came into this field into 2013, as social media was expanding from personal networks to businesses and organizations. I watched website SEO blogging and digital PR become essential, email transform how brands communicate, and influencer marketing reshape how consumers discover products and services. Each shift changed how we worked, where we i

"The earlier communications has a seat at the table, the fewer surprises an organization faces later." Jason Queseda “Can you help us communicate this?”These words are all too common for Comms professionals to hear. When you're at this point, that means the decision has already been made. The rational established. The direction is set. The timeline is decided. The stakeholders have been aligned. This is one of the most common ways organizations misunderstand the role of Commu

“Marketing is not only much broader than selling, it is not a specialized activity at all. It encompasses the entire business.” Peter Drucker Marketing is so much more than publishing and promotion. It's a core business function. There is a full ecosystem that makes effective marketing possible: the foundation underneath the brand the alignment between the business and its audience the ways it grows and expands how it becomes visible how it learns and evolves. One way to thin

"Nearly every problem in nonprofits comes back to Communications. Can't fill your event? Donors aren't renewing? Staff feels out of the loop? Board doesn't understand the mission? Legislators won't move on your bill? It all goes back to Communications." Nick Friend After spending years in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, I've come to an unpopular conclusion: nonprofit communications is often harder than traditional marketing. The problem I've observed and experience

"Your brand is what other people say about you when you're not in the room." Jeff Bezos If you ask 100 people what brand strategy is, you'll get 100 different answers. Because branding is a very abstract concept. To non-marketers, it feels like a lot of hot air. But to marketers, they are the bricks that build your home. If you're feeling rushed or pressured to grow your business fast, it might be tempting to skip the foundational steps. But neglecting the basics of brand str

"My rule has always been simple: If it affects credibility, clarity, or trust, I speak up." Karen King Most marketers—especially early in their careers—know the pressure to be people pleasers. Say yes to the executive’s request. Say yes to the last-minute campaign. Say yes to the “quick” social post, the trending idea, the project that somehow became urgent overnight. Because if you say yes, maybe they’ll recognize your value. Maybe they’ll respect your role. Maybe you’ll pro

You can have a meaningful mission, a beautiful brand, and a genuinely useful service or product—and still struggle to get people to understand why they should care. The root of the problem? The message. Messaging is the bridge between what you know about your business and what your audience actually understands about it. When your messaging is strategic, al of your assets and materials work together cohesively. Your audience begins hearing the same core ideas over and over—a

"The job of the strategist is to understand and cope with competition.” Michael E. Porter In entrepreneurship, we’re often taught to think about business as one giant competition. Who has the biggest audience? Who ranks higher? Who charges more? Who is getting more press, followers, clients, or attention? But the goal isn’t to constantly draw comparisons in order to"beat" your competitors. It's simply to understand the landscape well enough to find your own place within it. F

"You are everywhere but you dont have to be. Strategy is a decision to take a path, to say no." Kristina Halvorson For two years in a row, over half of the more than 3,000 marketers responding to Marketing Week ‘s Career Survey identify STRATEGY as the most undervalued skill in marketing. Having a well-defined strategy is essential for the success of any small business or solopreneur. Your strategy serves as a roadmap, providing clarity, focus, and direction and guiding your

Understanding your Return on Investment (ROI) for different types of marketing is crucial for small businesses aiming to optimize their strategies and allocate resources effectively. In this blog, we'll look at REAL data and statistics to assess the effectiveness of various marketing tactics and explore how investing in these strategies can dramatically impact your bottom line longterm. Content Marketing The Stats: Content Marketing costs 62% less than traditional outbound ma

"Never bet against the person who just keeps showing up." Sahil Bloom Newsflash: The secret to a thriving business doesn't have to do with luck, fame or following all the latest marketing trends. The secret is CONSISTENCY. It is the #1 necessity to building a thriving biz, especially when it comes to marketing and messaging yourself. So many entrepreneurs say they want success but are held back by excuses... The market is saturated... The economy is struggling... They don't f