The world watches as Twitter falls

It's the Wild, Wild West out there in the world of social media, and Twitter seems to be constantly getting itself into hot water. From NPR's departure due to the state-affiliated media label, to Elon Musk's vendetta against the New York Times resulting in their verification removal, and the pay walling of long-standing Twitter features, it's no wonder that journalists, activists, and nonprofits are feeling torn about their use of the platform.

Twitter: it’s the digital town square where journalists can break news, collect intel, and control narratives. It's a powerful tool for nonprofits and advocacy groups to tap into those journalistic networks and control narratives. But with the platform's recent decline, from paywalls to misinformation to censorship, we can't ignore its shortcomings.

 So what should we do? Some organizations are considering leaving Twitter for alternative platforms like Mastodon, which has seen a surge in users after Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter. But ultimately, the decision should be based on where our audience is, and shouldn’t be a reactionary move.

 Adding and cutting a platform from your strategy should always be informed by where your audience is collecting, interacting and talking, followed by the tools you’re willing and able to use to reach them.  In Colorado, for example, the legislators, journalists, organizations, and advocates we want to reach are still heavily using Twitter. 

 The future of Twitter is uncertain, but one thing is for sure: change is the only constant in the digital world. Users, communities, and strategies are resilient, always finding a way to make the most of the tools available to them. Even platforms like Myspace, long considered "dead" in the public consciousness, have found new life through creative and innovative use by communities today.

 Whether Twitter “falls” tomorrow or in 10 years, we will adapt and find new ways to connect and organize. Digital spaces are merely tools in our arsenal, but our passion and purpose are what truly drive our movements forward. Our fight for justice will not be undone by the shifting tides of social media. 

 We're a persistent bunch, with a deep understanding that our movements are the key to lasting change. So for now, at Club Twitter we're here for the long haul, dancing until lights out.

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Hec Salas-Gallegos

Digital Engagement Manager

UX Design For Nonprofits

Nonprofit websites are the first line of communications for anyone interested in our work on the ground, the services we provide, and how to get involved. But did you know that there’s a science behind how you interact with different websites? Website developers work to optimize content and design to boost traffic and strengthen brand recognition. Enter: UX Design.  

UX – or “user experience''–  describes the experience people have when they visit your website. In other words, it’s everything that affects a user’s interaction with a digital product. That means we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone who visits your site can trust your brand. 

Flow

The first priority in UX design is understanding a user’s goals and needs to think about how users will move through your site. This is where flow comes in. Visitors are more likely to notice things at the top of the page, so put your most important information first. Also make sure that your main navigation has all of the important information that you want your audience to find. Your site should be consistent and easy-to-use: don’t make it impossible for users to find the information they’re looking for!

Color

Let's talk about color. Designers can spend hours experimenting with color, tweaking different palette combinations and adjusting hues to best represent various ideas. But what if all of that hard work was completely lost on the viewer?

(credit: vwo.com)

People with low vision have a much better experience when there is enough color contrast between color background and text, as well as foreground and background colors. When designing, an easy way to ensure contrast is to opt for complementary color combinations. 

Font

Choosing an easy to read font is important. Sticking with commonly used fonts – and avoiding decorative or cursive font styles problematic for readers with dyslexia – is your best bet. Common fonts you should consider including on your site:

• Sans-serif font families: Arial, Calibri, Century Gothic, Helvetica, Tahoma, and Verdana

• Serif font families: Times New Roman and Georgia

• Slab serif font families: Arvo, Museo Slab, and Rockwell

(credit: envato.com)

Flow, color and typography are only a few of the ways nonprofits can make their websites more accessible. While it may be impossible to have a design that is accessible to all at once, as nonprofits, we can work towards a UX and design experience that can help bring people together. 

Your Social Strategy is In Retrograde Too

Facebook, down? Instagram, down? WhatsApp, down? Three of the world's largest platforms took unexpected PTO recently, which seemingly turned into a communications nightmare for social media managers looking to keep their audiences in the know. On top of that, the universe is in the middle of yet another shift, enter: Mercury Retrograde. (And it’s Halloween season!!)  

What you might not know is that Mercury rules communications, so mental blocks on content production and social media rollouts are very much expected. But here are a few tips that can help your digital strategy get through this month of change: 

1. Triple check your copy. Writing is one of the first things that draws audiences in, so it’s important to get another set of eyes on messaging. Peak engagement on posts is based upon what you share, so remaining within character limits on each platform will help max your call to action. Generally, effective Twitter copy is short and no more than 280 characters, Instagram should be 125-130 characters (note: use hashtags wisely, so no more than 12 per post) and Facebook copy that stays under 80 characters tends to receive higher engagement. 

2. Schedule posts ... in advance. To avoid getting overwhelmed with production, save time (and peace of mind) by scheduling out your content on a calendar. This will also reveal any potential scheduling conflicts you may have across platforms. According to HootSuite, 1 to 2 posts everyday is optimal as daily posting will grow followers 4x faster than posting sporadically throughout the week. 

3. Are your links working? If you’re adding links to any post, ensure that your links are current and will direct audiences to the right page. Links can also help increase traffic and build trust for your brand. Some general best practices for link engagement include: shorten links to help with visibility, crosslink across social media channels to expand your reach and don’t be afraid to incorporate powerful images to drive link clicks. 

4. Have a clear call to action. You have your audience’s attention and they’re open to taking the next step. Clearly lay out actionable items they can take to feel part of the mission and illustrate  how these steps contribute to the long term solution. 

Like any turmoil, retrogrades come and go, we can get ahead by planning ahead. Proper planning, grace, and rest make for an effective social media plan and will let you continue to drive change. And remember: take your time, we’re in this together!

Calling Colorado creatives of color!

Are you looking for affordable videography/photography studio space? We hear your need – and want to help.

Progressive Promotions is a P.R. and digital marketing firm that helps nonprofit and campaign clients inspire political and social change. As part of our commitment to racial equity, we are making our small studio available to Black and Brown creatives at an affordable price.

What’s included?

• Studio backdrop

• Three-point lighting setup

• RGB lighting

• Tripod

• Camera slider

• Audio equipment

• A Progressive Promotions staff person to help with equipment

If this sounds like something that will help advance your work, let’s talk – just give Morgan a call at 512-660-9450 or send her an email at morgan@progressive-promotions.com.

Elections 2020

Aaaaack – what's going to happen?!?

We’re excruciatingly cautious about 2020 election prognostication after the searing experience of starting November 8, 2016 with a predicted 80%+ chance of Hillary winning, only to fall into bed after midnight grappling with the news that Trump captured 304 electoral votes. That was a painfully brutal wake-up call, that’s for sure.

This year it’s absolutely critical that we all understand we might not know the winner for days, even weeks – especially since Trump himself has repeatedly declared that he might not accept the election results and could oppose a peaceful transfer of power. There are a number of strategies he and his minions seem prepared to use to thwart a legitimate Joe Biden win – voter suppression, polling place intimidation, halting mail-in ballot counts, accusations of voting fraud and other delays that could lead to undermining states’ popular vote by handing over the certification of electors to GOP governors or state legislatures – but we cannot let any of that happen. 

While this is scary stuff, we must shift our anxiety into a laser-like focus on what we can do to protect our votes and our democracy. You've probably voted already, but if you haven't, fill out your ballot and get it into your county election office ASAP. Next, prepare for action, depending on what happens. This could include:

• Calling on public officials for full investigations and remedies for voter suppression, fraud or other irregularities. 

• Convincing your friends and family via in-person appeals, social media outreach and letters to the editor to step up with you – this is no time to freeze!

• Connecting with Protect the Results to participate in nonviolent actions, like rallies, vigils and civil disobedience 

As the Marian Wright Edelman once said, “Democracy is not a spectator sport” – so prepare yourself to jump in to defend our values and the integrity of our election.

Brutal newsroom layoffs, election news & more

Brutal newsroom layoffs

Navigating smaller newsrooms to get results

A recent Axios article predicted catastrophic news for the news industry this year. More than 11,000 newsroom jobs were eliminated in the first half of 2020 alone, roughly the same lost in the entire year of 2009. While news staffs have been shrinking over the years, COVID-19 has accelerated the loss; the pandemic threw gasoline on already burning fire.

Leading national and international outlets like Vox, McClatchy, BBC and The Guardian have made deep cuts to their newsrooms. In Colorado, virtually every outlet – with the exception of Colorado Public Radio – has furloughed or laid off reporters.

Aaaack! What should a progressive nonprofit or campaign making news do when there are fewer reporters to pitch and a slimmer “news hole”?

You could look to Progressive Promotions to help promote your work – Jenny and Katie not only have decades of media relations experience, we know Colorado’s reporters and what they need to cover your story. Maybe most importantly, we understand what makes a good news story and will pitch it for maximum effect.

While you might not have the media relationships we do, you can learn the six elements of a news story to increase your own chances of scoring media coverage. Check out this blog we wrote about it – it’s like auditing Journalism 101 for free!

Fewer reporters out on the street is bad for our democracy and our communities, there is no doubt. But if you use the six elements to frame your story, you’ll position yourself for coverage in this troubling time.

Progressive Promotions Clients in the News

The COVID-19 pandemic has been economically devastating for families – Hunger Free Colorado highlighted the need to increase SNAP nutrition benefits in news outlet online takeover ads and stories in The Denver Post, Newsline, Durango Herald, Grand Junction Sentinel and the Colorado Times Recorder and an AP story that appeared around the state.

CCHI weighed in on the need to end expensive out-of-network healthcare bills in a Kaiser Health News piece that aired on NPR, ABC News, The Hill, Colorado Sun, Physician’s Weekly and local ABC affiliates around the country.

The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado’s Rev. Amanda Henderson recommends bridging our political and cultural divides with grace and humor in her new book “Holy Chaos” – as highlighted in Colorado Politics, Westword and recent Sunday Denver Post features story. We made a video promoting the book, too!

To understand workplace and older workers’ needs in the pandemic, Changing the Narrative is collecting surveys around the state, including in Montrose, El Paso County and the San Luis Valley.

Resilient Restaurants – a project of Good Business Colorado – made its pitch for human and environmental sustainability in the Colorado Sun, Westword, Colorado Politics and Montrose Press. 

August Hero

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold – now being called “the Dr. Fauci of vote-by-mail” – has become America’s most trusted source of information about secure vote-by-mail elections. And she wasn’t afraid to call out Trump’s blatant attempts to undermine November’s election: “The President stated that he’s withholding U.S. Postal Service funding to prevent vote by mail...it’s voter suppression to undermine the safest method to vote during a pandemic, and force Americans to risk their lives to vote.” Kudos to Griswold for championing mail-in voting and speaking truth to power!

August Zero

Is anyone else infuriated by U.S. Senator Cory Gardner’s refusal to commit on key issues? Does he have a position on administration efforts to hobble the post office right before elections? Nah, we should just try to understand what the postmaster is trying to do (hint: f*ck with the election). What about his position on William Perry Pendley’s nomination as director of the Bureau of Land Management? No answer, even after word of the nomination withdrawal leaked. He says he wants to protect people with pre-existing conditions from losing health insurance but all his actual votes would cut or gut that federal requirement. We’re looking forward to saying “Bye Cory” in November!

Local news trusted for now

...but bogus local news sites likely on the way

The Knight Foundation’s Trust, Media and Democracy initiative paired up with Gallup to publish a new report: The State of Public Trust in Local News.

The good news is it shows Americans largely trust local news even as they’re more skeptical of national media outlets. But Colorado media observer Corey Hutchins reported some bad news in his latest Colorado Local News & Media newsletter – bogus online “news sites” are popping up in states across the country, revealing a new strategy to mislead readers and undermine trust in fact-based news.

The Knight-Gallup report reveals that local news bests national news in earning more trust of Americans for coverage that Americans can use in their daily life (79% to 19%) and in reporting without bias (66% to 31%). One of the ways local news maintains its trust advantage is by highlighting local stories outside of the national “spin machine.” In fact, 60% of Americans say their local news outlets do an “excellent” or “good” job of informing their communities.

Purveyors of deliberately deceptive information are taking advantage of the public’s trust of local media. In Michigan, there are 40 new locally-branded websites with names like the Lansing Sun, Ann Arbor Times and UP Gazette that fit the bill. For example, the Lansing Sun recently described Michigan’s road repair fund as well-padded, even though it’s obvious that the state’s infrastructure is crumbling. Hutchins’ newsletter outlines similar misleading digital outlets in Tennessee, Illinois and California.

So far we haven’t seen too much of this on either the right or the left in Colorado – most of our online sites are pretty upfront about what they publish (Colorado Peak Politics’ tagline is “Colorado’s conservative bully pulpit,” Colorado Citizen Press is “the voice of Colorado conservatives” and Colorado Times Recorder explains it “has a nonpartisan, progressive orientation”). Exceptions include the ultra right-wing, conspiracy-minded Epoch Times newspaper that has shown up in Denver news racks and Routt County mailboxes and the Colorado Business Daily, part of a national network of mysterious, conservative sites.

Given what’s happening across the country, we expect to see practitioners of political dark arts exploit trust in local news, so be forewarned – be sure to check out the credentials of the news sites you read. And, of course, not everything is rosy for legit local media outlets. With smaller newsrooms and unpredictable revenues, some local news outlets are struggling to keep their collective heads above water. Maintaining the existing level coverage – and therefore keeping readers/listeners/viewers engaged – will be an ongoing challenge.

If you’re committed to preserving a healthy media ecosystem, make sure you’re part of the solution – subscribe/support local outlets like the Colorado Sun, Denver Post, Colorado Independent, Colorado Politics, Denverite, Colorado Public Radio, CBS-4, Denver7, 9News, Fox 31 and the other folks delivering high quality journalism to Coloradans every day.

Who Loves Local News?

People of color, older folx and high school grads do!

We recently saw a revealing report from the Pew Research Center that shows that people of color, older adults and people with high school degrees or less are the most reliable consumers of local media. Black and Hispanic readers/viewers/listeners consume local news at much higher rates than whites, who make up only about a quarter of those following local news "very closely."

Looking at how these groups get their local news, TV broadcasts win among white, Black and Hispanic news consumers, while online sources outpace TV among folks under 50 and those with at least some college education. Most age groups that consume local news online are actually getting it from media outlet websites rather than on social media – those under 30 are about evenly split between media outlet sites and social media.

So what does this mean for you? If you're one of our clients seeking to reach communities of color and younger voters, we think there are some takeaways here. Earned media is a reliable way to reach a third of all adults, but especially the 46% Black and 34% Hispanic consumers of local media. Even in 2019, TV rules among most of our audiences, with Black viewers being particularly loyal. And even Millennial and Gen Z voters/activists will likely see mainstream media stories on their phones, linked via social media.

The key to successful communications these days is to have a multi-pronged approach – but it's always good to see what the data can tell us about audiences and targeting. So go forth and pitch local reporters!