Goodbye, 2021. You had some stories. These were my favorite stories at SmartBrief last month, along with the most-clicked.
As is almost always the case, it usually isn’t the main point of a story that leads it to make my list. Rather, it’s some unexpected twist or a unique angle that makes me keep thinking about a story.
BoardSource
I have so much admiration for people whose primary job is fundraising for nonprofits. The way I see it, they are fearless! However, maybe along with that fearlessness, they have dedicated themselves to the small tweaks that have big results. As the summary of this article (note: paywall) describes, having “you” or one of its variants in a donation appeal increases engagement.
The part that really got my attention, though, was about “preference duels.” In a preference duel, people are asked to give by voting (cold weather vs. sunny weather, for example) rather than simply being asked to give. People who had a chance to choose gave 28% more on average! I can’t stop thinking about this every time I get an appeal these days.
Most-clicked December story: To beat imposter syndrome, you must understand it
Business Transformation
There was a concept in this article that stayed with me, even though it didn’t make the two-sentence summary. The eBay CEO talked about how the company has chosen to focus on its power users, rather than expending a lot of energy on trying to get the attention of a broader, general audience that is less likely to spend as much money.
CEO Jamie Iannone said, “We were too focused on acquiring buyers and getting them at any costs. We’re leaning in now on the enthusiasts.”
Most-clicked December story: Why a plane manufacturer is pinning hopes on huge sails
International City/County Management Association
A two-sentence summary is definitely not enough for this story. The day we used it, I had just been at a somewhat contentious Tallahassee City Commission meeting and was just coming off of a 10-week series of Neighborhood Leadership Academy sessions, so local government and all of its twists and turns were forefront in my mind. This story had its own intrigue.
Most-clicked December story: Kan. city manager to leave for N.C. county post
National Association of Social Workers
I suppose it would be easy to say that Brandon Mays’ story of overcoming obstacles is like many other stories. However, I’m sure each obstacle Mays faced took so much fortitude. I am sure his life experiences are going to make him a better social worker.
I can’t find a video or recording of his entire commencement speech at Wayne State University, but this brief teaser introduces us to him.
Most-clicked December story: Brene Brown changes her mind about emotions
National Emergency Number Association
First, I love the fact that these five dispatchers put together a cookbook (which also has dispatching stories). But I also love the passages about how dispatchers do everything they can, even if the outcome does not end up being survival of the patient.
Most-clicked December story: Accidental shooting at 9-1-1 center leaves dispatcher dead
Reserve Officers Association
Army National Guard nurse Maj. Melinda F. Moyer, D.N.P. seems to be a very tenacious person. She found out about a problem (the lack of COVID-19 testing in May 2020 for New Jersey National Guard service members), created a solution with very little support and ended up collecting blood samples that were eventually used in the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Initiative matters!
Most-clicked December story: Reid no longer in command of Ohio Reserve center
UN Wire
Delays in distributing COVID-19 vaccines throughout Africa and administering them are an example of vaccine inequity. Such delays are “development denied,” says UN Development Programme Achim Steiner. He’s right.
Most-clicked December story: Pandemic worsens inequality, drives many to poverty
About careers at SmartBrief/Future
Each month, I share the open positions at SmartBrief and Future for anyone who is interested in being a part of finding and sharing stories through newsletters and Future’s other enterprises.
All open positions at SmartBrief and Future plc can be found at this link. Here are the most recent:
Account Director US, B2B Tech Pro (Remote)
Art Director, The Week US (NYC)
Deputy Editor, The Week US, 12-month Contract (DC)
Senior Editor, Marie Claire (NYC)
Staff Writer, Laptop Mag (NYC)
Assistant Managing Editor, Laptop Mag (NYC)
Staff Writer, Online, Golf Monthly
Digital Sales Associate (Atlanta)
Media Coordinator – Client Success (Atlanta)
Custom Content Editor – Financial Services (Remote)
Partner Development Associate (Atlanta)
Ad Creative Product Designer (Atlanta)
Client Success Manager (Atlanta)
Sales Planning Manager (Atlanta)
Product Marketing Manager (Atlanta)
Sales Operations Associate (Atlanta)
Mobile Editor, TechRadar (Atlanta)
Editor, Government and Nonprofit (Atlanta) – Note — this is the job I am currently doing (I’m moving to a different set of responsibilities). I’m happy to answer questions!
If you are interested in applying and have questions, please email me so we can discuss further.
To subscribe to one (or more) SmartBrief newsletters, including While You Were Working, click here.
We also have podcasts about Health Care, Modern Money and Renewable Energy.
If you aren’t in a subscribing mood, you can still keep up with us at the site of our company via Future Twitter, SmartBrief Twitter; Leadership SmartBrief Twitter; Future LinkedIn, SmartBrief LinkedIn, SmartBrief Facebook and SmartBrief Instagram.
Finally, a tribute to our former office in Washington, D.C., which I got to visit three times. The SmartBrief D.C.-based crew is moving to a new location. I’ll never forget what a thrill it was to walk into these offices the first time, after I had been freelancing for about a year and a half and had recently been hired as a full-time editor. I got to meet all the people who had lived in my computer only, and it was a very good day.
*These opinions are my personal thoughts, not those of my employer.
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
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