THE LATEST
Fresh strategies, resources, and real-world tactics for nonprofits and businesses facing tough challenges and high-stress days.
Story Isn't Your Marketing's Finishing Touch. It's the Foundation.
There's a version of marketing that looks completely professional. The colors are right. The copy is clean. The media buy is solid. And it lands like a thud.
I saw this up close in 2009. I was doing all the digital work -- web, social, YouTube, email -- for a nonprofit in the health and human services space. A large agency had the traditional side: print, radio, billboards, buses. They managed something like 60 clients like this one.
For them, this was another account. Another campaign. Another round of assets to produce and ship.
Why Most Marketing Fails Before It Starts
Most marketing doesn’t fail because it’s bad.
It fails before it ever starts.
Teams spend weeks planning campaigns. They create content, debate channels, adjust timelines, and ship work they’re proud of. Then results come in—or don’t—and everyone feels uneasy. The effort was real. The intentions were good. The outcome is still disappointing.
A Simple Test for Marketing Advice
If marketing advice has burned you before, you’re not cynical. You’re experienced.
Most advice sounds smart. That’s the problem. It’s easy to follow. It’s hard to evaluate. And by the time you realize it wasn’t right for you, you’ve already paid the opportunity cost.
Portnoy Media Lab Is Live
I’m launching a podcast.
Not because the world needs more noise.
Because too many smart people are stuck working hard inside systems that should be working better.
Portnoy Media Lab is a space to think out loud about clarity, storytelling, strategy, and execution—especially for people doing meaningful work with limited margin for error.
Turning 50, Fixing Funnels, and a Few Free Things for You
I’m turning 50 this weekend, which feels strange and great all at once. I don’t have a midlife crisis lined up (but you never know) no motorcycle, no questionable tattoo, just a lot of clarity about what I want to build next and how I want to help.
So here’s what’s new, what’s coming, and what you can use right now to make your work easier.
Your Brand Doesn’t Need a Glow Up. It Needs a Gut Check
Most brands don’t need a rebrand—they need to remember why they started. If your messaging looks good but doesn’t land, it’s time for a gut check, not a glow up.
Ep 27 - Strategic Messaging for Your Nonprofit
This week, I talk with Kristin Spiotto, the co-founder and CEO of Decoded Strategies. She shares insights on strategic messaging for nonprofits. She emphasizes the importance of clear and customer-focused messaging, avoiding confusion and making the audience the story's hero. Kristin also discusses the role of AI in messaging and the need for human decision-making.
