- Phone 250 769-3627
- Email [email protected]
Cool Resources
Engage with Jan directly on social media to share and learn more about communications in #LocalGov and public sector:
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Connecting Communicators
Sign up for my newsletter for local gov communications tips, case studies, resources, events, and more!
Let's talk about the stuff that helps our communities thrive.
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How to Use Social Media Proactively
Social Media Tips for Elected Officials
As an elected official, you can put the power of social media to work to communicate and build trust with your community. Here are some tips to help you be proactive on social media to engage your audience, show your personality, and address concerns before they arise.
How to Respond on Social Media
Social Media Tips for Elected Officials
Use these tips to hone your social media survival skills, which are especially important as an elected official constantly in the public eye. Be strategic about when and how you need to respond or not!
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Self-Care Checklist for Local Gov Communicators
Did you know fatigue and burnout are among the top concerns for communicators in 2023? In a professional where we always need to be "on" and are often dealing with difficult situations or giving our energy to others, it's not a total surprise. Here are some tips to add connection, mental wellness, and self-care to your life as a communications professional.
Boost Your Business Case for Investing in Communications
Free E-Book
Convince your Council or Board with these 7 research-backed reasons to invest in communications!
Why Communicate?
Need help building the business case to hire communications staff? Download this infographic of key points to consider that will save your organization time, money and reputation.
Award-winning Small Town PR Playbook
This is my ultimate fave! A collection of ‘how to’ articles, written by small town local government and First Nations PR professionals, and produced by the Northern Development Initiative Trust. This award-winning Playbook is packed with practical case studies, tools and checklists you can start using immediately.
Jan and Julie’s Top Ten Tips for Social Media
Julie Rogers, Communications Manager for the City of Prince George and I have had the pleasure and the honour of speaking about how to tone down the trash talk on your City’s social at a number of conferences. Here are our top 10 tips to help keep your social media social.
Non-Verbal Communications Cues
Free Tip Sheet
Your words matter—but so does how you say them!
Paying attention to your non-verbal cues is one of the keys to building trust with your audience. Get it right with these tips for elected officials and local gov communicators.
As a bonus, I'll also include my top 5 tips for building credibility with your audience.
Connect with your Communication Peers!
Okanagan Communicators Network
Are you a communicator in the Okanagan or looking for one? Sign up for our Okanagan Communicators Network. You’ll get emails about job postings, professional development opportunities and social events with your comms peeps! Simply email [email protected] to sign up!
CPRS Northern Lights Chapter
If you’re a member of CPRS – the Canadian Public Relations Society – check out our Northern Lights Chapter and join the lively and helpful conversation on our Facebook page. Join us! https://www.cprs.ca/join-us
BC Local Gov Communicators
Are you a communications professional working in local government in BC? Join our Facebook group - afe place to share our challenges and successes, and learn from each other. Click here to join!
Image source: CP Images
Fave Reads
Take a deeper dive with following books - some of my fave reads (or listens on Audible).
- Hug your Haters: How to Embrace Complaints and Keep you Customers, by Jay Baer. The best book on modern customer service I have ever come across. While written primarily for private sector, the information about how to handle complaints on social media and forums – often the source for reporters’ stories – can be easily adapted to suit our needs. Great tips, examples and info from his recent research project.
- Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, by Amy Cuddy. This is my favourite book about the power of our non-verbal communications. Start with her inspiring 20-minute Ted Talk.
- Youtility: Why Smart Marketing is about Help not Hype by Jay Baer. IMHO, while written mostly for the private sector, this book is full of creative ideas on how we can be more useful in our communications.
- The Naked Presenter, by Garr Reynolds. Great style, easy to read and solid points on how to create a powerful presentation.
- Slide:ology. The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations by Nancy Duarte. This oversize book provides great visuals and tips for what to do – and not to do!
- The Media Training Bible: 101 Things You Absolutely, Positively Need to Know Before Your Next Interview, by “Mr. Media” Brad Phillips. This is my absolute favourite of all media training books. An easy read, full of relevant tips. You can also sign up for his e-newsletter.
- Talk Triggers: The Complete Guide to Creating Customers with Word of Mouth by Jay Baer and Daniel Lemin. Whether we work in small towns where everyone knows your name or small circles in big cities, word of mouth matters for local government and the public sector. We need to define or be defined. Jay and Daniel share the keys to using word of mouth as a strategic operational decision to create conversations that build awareness and support. So #practical!
What’s your fave? Send me an email or connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Love to hear yours!