I overthink so you don’t have to.

The Red Thread® Newsletter

Stories, examples, images, and data you can use to help bring your ideas and messages to life.

The best ideas aren’t found — they’re built. Get a weekly dose of strategies, studies, and stories — direct to your inbox from me — to help you make your ideas strong enough to build change on.

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FRESH THREADS

The Freenoter Podcast

There are lots of resources out there on how to become a paid speaker or keynoter, but what if you speak to build your business, as a FREEnoter? Each week, join me and Tom Webster as we cover all the angles of how to profit from speaking for free. If you are looking to grow your business from the stage--without "selling from the stage," this is the show for you. We will cover EVERY aspect of building your business through speaking, and even share a different craft cocktail recipe every week, just because. Subscribe now!

Message in a Minute: The Fool Wanders, the Wise Man Travels

Here’s the TL:DR (too long; didn’t read) version of both this post and my most recent “Message in a Minute” video. They’re both all about the steps you need to take to make sure your idea gets heard

How could you use it? The 7 stories of “This American Life”

I had this idea a while back that I’d use as writing prompts proverbs I include in my book. Then, a couple of weeks ago, you all seemed to LOVE the “How could you use it?” feature I was playing around with.

Message in a Minute: Great ideas aren’t found, they’re built

On my continued theme of experimenting with different forms of content, today I bring you “Message in a Minute,” which is—you guessed it!—a one-minute video about a single idea.

How could you use it? Creatures under the ice

I’m in the mood for something a bit lighter and fun this week, so I’ve invented a new feature (which may or may not exist beyond this week!): “How could you use it?”

3 places your message fails (and how to fix them)

This week I’m picking up on a concept I introduced in my last post: that as a communicator of ideas, your real job is to be a translator.

How to make your organization irresistible

You may have noticed that these little missives are often, erm, not so little. So, this week I’m going to try something I do in my forthcoming book: I’m going to give you the Red Thread of the post right up front as a wee summary.

How to tie two pieces of content together

A lot of times here I’m talking about how to make a message or a piece of content. And sometimes that’s the challenge. It’s a message. A piece. Just one. So how can you make the most of multiple pieces of content? How can you tie them together?

How are you using the three dimensions of expertise?

Have you ever had one of those moments when you had a realization about something as you were talking about it?

Curiosity is a curve. Where does your message fit?

You know your idea needs attention to survive. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, you just can’t seem to get the attention you need.

12 ways to make your website do more by saying less

You’ve probably figured out by now I’m a big proponent of “less is more.”

The Red Thread® Newsletter

Stories, examples, images, and data you can use to help bring your ideas and messages to life.
The best ideas aren’t found — they’re built. Get a weekly dose of strategies, studies, and stories — direct to your inbox from me — to help you make your ideas strong enough to build change on.