As leaders, it can be hard to know if we are communicating the right things, in the right way, and at the right time.
This quick self-assessment guides you through some self-reflection to see where you’re soaring, and where you may want to shore up your communication.
And here’s the good news: communication mastery can be learned!
Sometimes the smartest move isn’t another email subject line or boosted post—it’s showing up in someone’s actual mailbox. Direct mail has a kind of presence digital can’t replicated: it interrupts the scroll, cuts through the noise, and lingers on a counter or desk in a way a digital ad never will. When used with intention, it’s less about old-school tactics and more about tactile strategy.
An online catalog can either be a brand’s best sales engine—or its fastest way to overwhelm a visitor. The difference is in design and discipline. A great catalog doesn’t just “list products”; it curates them, guides discovery, and makes exploration effortless. If you’re loading dozens (or hundreds) of items, the key is thinking like a shopper, not just a seller as you build your website.
There once was a study of doctors and lawsuits, and what it found may surprise you. Those who showed up with their patients in a warm, professional way were less likely to be sued than their colleagues with better outcomes who didn’t exhibit those traits.
Let’s be honest: running a hospital or clinic is resource-intensive. Marketing dollars can feel scarce, and social media often gets squeezed. But here’s the good news—you don’t need a blockbuster budget to create a social media presence that feels professional, engaging, and trustworthy. What you do need is consistency, creativity, and a clear sense of what matters most to your community.
Words and images are powerful tools for building a company’s culture. And yet they are too often underused in business.
While mission and values are at the center of an organization’s culture-building language, a mantra can flesh those out. If, for example, excellence is one of your values, a mantra can focus attention on how excellence occurs.
With 87% of agencies having 25 or fewer employees, don't overlook what a small firm can do to produce creative work that gets you noticed, heard, and remembered—and do it fast and affordably.
Finding the right fit is vital when selecting a creative agency. Talent, track record, and creativity can be found in any size agency, but here are some things small firms can offer.
The new year is a good time to take a fresh look at your website—your front door to business—and ask “is it helping my business grow, or standing in the way of growth?”
If you’re not quite there yet, the right web development firm can help you take your website to the next level—and in the process, make it easy, painless, and affordable to give your website a true competitive advantage.
You already know the importance of telling your story.
But do you know how to make sure your story will lead to that “ah-ha” moment with your audience? Do you know how to make it rise above so-so storytelling and leave your audience touched, persuaded, or engaged?
At the heart of great storytelling are two things: identifying the right story, and telling it well.
Creative work by CMBell and their clients have garnered four Aster Awards: One gold award for a marketing video in Physician profile, one silver in executive message – internal communication video, two bronze awards in marketing videos for regional healthcare systems.
The Aster Awards competition is dedicated to recognizing the most talented healthcare marketing professionals for outstanding excellence in advertising, marketing and communications.
We know that stories are what move the human heart. This has been true since the dawn of time, and is true for individuals as well as businesses. As humans, we are especially drawn to stories that feel true, authentic, and well-told. And when delivered with the power of music, motion, and imagery via video, a story’s impact is multiplied.
Creative work by CMBell and our clients has garnered five awards from the international Hermes Creative Awards competition. Four platinum and one gold award was given for video productions—including the Walla Walla video released last fall. Winning client work represented Andrae’s Kitchen and Adventist Health.
If you’re in business, it’s likely that more prospective customers will visit your website than your actual storefront. In fact, your online presence is a vital determinant in whether visitors will buy from, support, work for, or donate to your cause.
Creators of great websites understand this and artfully use the tools that can convert your visitor into a customer. You can too.
Your annual report may be your most important communication tool—It offers a snapshot of company performance, shows how you're creating value for your stakeholders, and offers a glimpse into the purpose that drives your organization.
To get the most from your investment, design your annual report as both a marketing tool and a reporting tool that can reach shareholders, employees, and customers.
For most businesses, it’s very likely that customers will interact with your company more online than in-person. It's also the case that nearly everyone searching online for your type of business won't get past the first page of Google results; and once they visit your website, they won't stick around if they can't immediately find what they are looking for.
Are you in the midst of layoffs? Budget-cuts? A merger or acquisition?
If you are downsizing, then you know the anxiety it produces among employees and the way it impacts morale, productivity, and customers. Communication during these times is a powerful tool that can help keep your employees engaged during difficult times. Here are 14 internal communication tips we’ve seen work during difficult times:
There’s no better way to bring your mission and values off your walls and into your halls than by showing your leaders and employees walking the talk.
And there’s no better communication tool than video to build a values-driven culture. Video can capture symbolic moments in which people bring values to life in authentic ways—and spread the role-modeling throughout the organization.
While colors are trending towards bright, vivid hues, the hard-working neutrals—white, gray, black, and brown—have a staying power because of their flexibility. They might not be your favorite color, they don't tend to steal the show, they aren't usually even noticeable, but they are the bedrock of strong design.
In today’s market, video marketing is an essential—and nothing works like a riveting patient story.
But not all patient video stories are created equally. Some feel flat, boring, too promotional or too predictable, while others depict a relatable experience and compel the viewer to feel connected to the organization.
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