The National Association of Government Communicators is running it's comms school in Portland, OR April 18-20 and as official media partners for the event, we've had the great opportunity to hear from the speakers at the event. Find out more about them here.
What is your session for NAGC called?
Workshop: Turn Social Media Metrics Into Action, Session: The Power of Podcasting
Tell us a little about what you do and how you got there
In 1984 I tried to change my grades in my school's database through my dad's PC, like I saw Matthew Broderick do in WarGames. Except my school didn't have a mainframe, and no computers were connected to the internet. Now I teach digital marketing and communications to universities, brands, and governments.
What is it about communications, media or crisis comms that interests you so much?
Everything comes back to persuasion. Persuading people to act, think, or consider ideas through available means is a fascinating career. The digital aspect of media and communications just makes everything spicier.
What do you love about your job?
I get to provide the current and next generations of digital communicators with the mental and digital tools they need to succeed. It is the best of both worlds to be working and teaching in the industry. I've gone places, seen and done things that I never imagined in my wildest dreams.
What’s the hardest thing about your job?
Time away from family
What are some of the more memorable events you’ve had to deal with in your role and what lessons did you learn?
As an instructor, the most memorable event is teaching a Digital Communications and Crisis Comms workshop to delegations from United Arab Emirates and Serbia. Politeness, respect, and humility will take you far.
Can you give one piece of advice for those who want to start a career in Government communications?
Never stop learning. Every job, every manager, every event is a learning opportunity. Make the most of them.
What are your favorite tools you use to do your job more effectively?
Google Trends, Alerts, 60 minutes of reading - everyday, Keyword search tools, Excel
Are there any books, podcasts, websites or any other resources you would recommend for the comms pro?
Hey! I have a podcast - Endless Coffee Cup podcast. I also recommend to go back to some of the classics in communication. Don't always focus on tactical content.l
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about, recommend or promote?
I teach people how to communicate data persuasively. You can find my online courses in digital marketing, communications, & analytics at Learn.SiteLogic.com
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn and see him in our Comms Surgery Webinar here
See the NAGC schedule of events here and find out more about the lineup of speakers and events. Want to book some time with PIOToolkit at NAGC? You can do that here!
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