Prologue
Happy Monday!
As the summer melts away and the school year quickly approaches, I wanted to share a book and a tool I highly recommend to help get organized and get more done this school year.
The book is Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen, and it has literally changed my life.
I can't remember when I first read the book and implemented the Getting Things Done (GTD for short) methodology, but I know I have followed it for years. GTD is a time management system designed to help you achieve stress-free productivity. GTD involves five key steps: capturing all tasks and ideas, clarifying what each item means, organizing tasks into categories, reflecting on the system regularly, and engaging in appropriate actions. By following this approach, you can increase efficiency, reduce stress, and maintain focus on your most important objectives.
The other half of my system involves using the software tool Todoist.
Like the GTD system, I've been using Todoist for years. It was the first tool that was flexible enough to allow me to use the GTD system and make subtle tweaks for how I worked. Seriously, I can't recommend it enough. Oh, and did I mention that they have a free version for you to get started?? 😀
If you are looking for a new system to be more productive, I hope you'll check out this book and tool.
Thanks,
Brendan
Marketing
How To Improve Your Email Conversion Rate
Shopify’s blog article offers key strategies to improve email conversion rates, crucial for optimizing email marketing efforts. It provides a clear explanation of how to calculate these rates and outlines several actionable tips to enhance them. These include maintaining good email list hygiene, writing compelling subject lines, and using clear call-to-action buttons. These improvements aim to boost the effectiveness of email campaigns, increasing customer engagement and sales conversions.
5 Essential Elements Every Nonprofit Website Should Have
Design TLC’s blog emphasizes five critical elements that every nonprofit website should include to effectively communicate with and engage their audience. These elements are a clear mission statement, engaging storytelling with impact reports, a user-friendly donation process, opportunities for volunteer engagement, and a responsive, accessible design. Each component plays a vital role in building credibility, attracting donors, and mobilizing community support, ensuring that the nonprofit’s goals are clearly understood and easy to support.
Maximizing the Impact of Marketing and Fundraising Videos For Schools with Helen Saks
The episode from Mindful School Marketing features Helen Saks discussing effective video strategies for schools. With a wealth of experience in media, Saks shares invaluable insights on creating compelling video content that resonates with audiences, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and strategic planning. She offers practical advice on utilizing videos for marketing and fundraising, ensuring that schools can engage their community and communicate their unique stories effectively.
AI
ChatGPT's Advanced Voice Mode is starting to rollout
ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode is being rolled out gradually to ChatGPT Plus users, enhancing interactions with customizable character voices and real-time translation capabilities. Initially expected in June, the rollout faced delays due to safety concerns and improvements needed for scaling. The full accessibility for all Plus users is anticipated by the end of fall 2024, as OpenAI ensures the quality and functionality meet high standards. This phased rollout reflects OpenAI’s cautious approach to introducing advanced features while addressing potential safety issues.
Recommended Reading
Back-to-School Communications: Insights from Lake Hamilton
The article from Social School 4 EDU shares valuable insights from Brian Bridges, the Director of Communications and Public Relations for Lake Hamilton School District, on effective back-to-school communications. Bridges discusses the strategic use of a comprehensive “One-Stop-Shop” mailer, which includes essential information and QR codes linking to online resources, ensuring that families are well-prepared and informed before the school year begins. His approach highlights the importance of proactive planning and digital integration in school communication strategies.
SEO
How to Rank Your Website on ChatGPT
Neil Patel’s blog post on “How to Rank Your Website on ChatGPT” provides strategic insights into optimizing content for visibility in AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT. He explains how ChatGPT processes content and offers actionable advice on tailoring your site’s information to meet AI search criteria effectively. Key tips include focusing on authoritative content, enhancing data structure, and improving user engagement to increase the chances of ranking higher in AI-generated responses.
Using SearchGPT: What It’s Actually Like!
OpenAI's new search engine has just hit the scene, and we got our hands on real usage footage to share with you. We're leaving no stone unturned as we explore its potential to challenge Google and its implications for smaller content creators.
Plus, Reddit's latest move is shaking the foundations of the open web, while Bing's radical redesign might be a glimpse into the future of search results.
MarCom Job
Director of Marketing & Communications @ Sinai Akiba Academy
A member of the highly collaborative senior administrative team, the Director of Marketing & Communications works to strategically advance communications within and beyond the School community, focusing on the School’s mission and philosophy, developing and enhancing the School’s presence within the concentric circles of Sinai Akiba Academy – students, administrators, educators, donors, current and alumni families and friends, and in the larger educational and Jewish communities. The Director of Marketing & Communications works with every member of the School community and reports directly to the Head of School (HOS). A graceful writer and creative thinker with regard to messaging and relationships, the Director of Marketing & Communications anticipates opportunities for communications and proactively puts ideas and plans into motion (in consultation with the HOS). In collaboration with the Admission team, this role is also responsible for helping to envision and implement a strategic and comprehensive marketing plan to advance the SAA brand across Los Angeles.
SchneiderB Media
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