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Reposted by Mark Stencel

Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · 1d

Enjoy today's inspiring perspective from Words Work Lab communicator contributor, Jennifer Mino-Mirowitz. She writes about the beauty and uniqueness of imperfect, human prose and we couldn't agree more.

wordsworklab.com/trend-spotti...

#comms #communication #commswithpurpose #writing

In Praise of Imperfect, Human Prose

I recently celebrated a milestone birthday and decided to throw a Y2K-themed party because theme parties have no age limits. After the party, I perused the articles and was struck by how different mag...

wordsworklab.com

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Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · 2d

📺 So you’re watching behind-the-scenes of your fav movie and the director says, “It took us a while to find our MacGuffin.” And you say, “What who now?”

“MacGuffin” was once an #entertainment in-industry term but is used more widely now...Get the story on MacGuffin wordsworklab.com/unpacking-hi...

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · 10d

Also, there are more terrific podcasts on Words Work Lab here: wordsworklab.com/events/

Events

Interviews, appearances, and podcast conversations featuring today's communication leaders

wordsworklab.com

Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · 10d

Science, communication, and the power of Play-Doh... Enjoy this fun conversation with Caroline Schor-MacDicken and Katie Konans on the @wordsworklab.bsky.social podcast. wordsworklab.com/events/the-w...

Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · 10d

We’re excited to share the latest podcast episode, featuring Katie Konans! Caroline and Katie talk about connecting with people through curiosity, tapping into your inner child, #storytelling that gets everyday people excited about science and discovery, and more. wordsworklab.com/events/the-w...

Words Work Lab podcast episode featuring guest, Katie Konans, Creative Director, media strategist, and storytelling that expands public imagination

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Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · 22d

Cliffhanger (aka cliff-hanger). We’re all familiar with the term from books, movies, etc. How did this “to be continued” plot device originate? Visit our Speak Your Highest Comms for the whole story and for other words that have intriguing evolutions: wordsworklab.com/resources/sp... #communication

Image graphic of a toy car hanging off a rock, depicting the term cliffhanger.

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Reposted by Mark Stencel

Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · 25d

On today’s show with @gigi-thibodeau.bsky.social, we talk about using all five senses to inspire creativity, #writing, and the creative process. Hear Caroline and Gigi chat about how to nurture your writing throughout life, plus time travel through memories!
wordsworklab.com/events/podca... #comms

Image graphic of the Words Work Lab podcast, featuring episode with Gigi Thibodeau, writer, editor, educator, and poet.

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Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · Sep 16

Enjoy A Cup Full O’Laughter on us! Check out Words Work Lab for “phunny photos”, quotes of note, and Tell Me More trivia. Because a little humor goes a long way. wordsworklab.com/community/a-... #humor #funny #communication

Graphic collage that shows a yellow sticky note on a corkboard with a drawing of a dinosaur that's labeled Thesaurus Lex, and a funny caption.

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Sep 17

A significant trend: "Communicators are spending more time on sharing the How’s and Why’s of their topics, not just the What..."

Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · Sep 17

There’s a trend in #content creation that's gaining traction. Communicators are spending more time on sharing the How’s and Why’s of their topics, not just the What. Create a richer connection in your writing: wordsworklab.com/trend-spotti...

#communication #marketing #creators #commswithpurpose

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Sep 9

These Words Work Lab podcasts and other events are as inspiring as promised! Make time to listen. You'll enjoy it and learn a lot at the same time. #communication #podcasts #storytelling

Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · Sep 9

Have you checked out the Words Work Lab podcast yet? Be inspired by writers, poets, authors, content creators, musicians, and other storytellers who share their personal stories with us. It’s lively, thought-provoking, and often surprising. wordsworklab.com/events/ #communication #podcasts

Events

Interviews, appearances, and podcast conversations featuring today's communication leaders

wordsworklab.com

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Aug 21

“You want to be trusted for what you know — don’t be the person who helps dumb things down.” Words Work Lab contributor @lisamtp.bsky.social shares lessons from her career as a reporter, writer, editor, comms director, and publicist — collected here in these “Five Comms Commandments”

Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · Aug 18

Check out this hilarious read from @lisampt.bsky.social and Words Work Lab contributor. In her "Five Comms Commandments" she shares her hard-earned wisdom and more than a few wisecracks about what she's learned from a career spanning editing, writing, editorial, PR. wordsworklab.com/lab-works/fi...

Five Comms Commandments: Lessons from Working in Corporate Comms, Academia, and News

No matter what comms work you're doing, in a newsroom, classroom, or corporate office, succeed with our Five Comms Commandments.

wordsworklab.com

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Aug 9

"Shared by all [communicators] is the challenge of compelling storytelling and communicating with intention...."

Join us at wordsworklab.bsky.social and wordsworklab.com/join/

Words Work Lab @wordsworklab.bsky.social · Aug 6

Strategic Communicators. Marketers. Media Makers. Writers. Authors. Content Creators.

We believe all communicators have more in common than ever before. All care about compelling storytelling and communicating with intention. Be inspired with Words Work Lab. wordsworklab.com/join/

#communication

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Reposted by Mark Stencel

Lex Roman @lexroman.com · Apr 20

I wrote about why you need a tip jar in my personal newsletter this week. I made maybe $2k from tips in the last 6 months. Not that reliable but also...it's $2k!

I use Buy Me a Coffee for my tip jar. Let me explain why.

preview.mailerlite.io/emails/webvi...

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Mar 5

"Influencer is a marketing term," says @lizkellynelson.com, founder of the "Project C" newsletter. "Why are we, as journalists, promulgating that to describe the kind of work we do?" More from Liz in this article from Editor & Publisher...

The new ‘army’ of journalists: Creators and influencers impact our industry - Editor and Publisher

As creator and influencer journalism reshapes news, traditional media is learning from social-first journalists who connect deeply with audiences. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Substack are now k...

www.editorandpublisher.com

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Feb 21

An insightful model from @lizkellynelson.com....

Liz Kelly Nelson @lizkellynelson.com · Feb 17

The news ecosystem is evolving. The lines between journalism, content creation and AI-generated news are blurring. A new framework is needed to better define these shifts. This piece maps the spectrum – from “Trad News” to emerging creator models. Take a look:
🔗 projectc.beehiiv.com/p/from-trad-...

From 'Trad News' to AI: The evolving journalism landscape

A visual breakdown of how and where news is produced in 2025

projectc.beehiiv.com

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Reposted by Mark Stencel

Knight Foundation @knightfoundation.org · Feb 19

Are content creators the new bloggers of the 2020s? As influencers gain trust as news sources, KMF25 brought together a panel of social media experts to discuss how creators are gaining news audiences by building trust & engagement ⬇️

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Reposted by Mark Stencel

Jill Geisler @jillgeisler.bsky.social · Jan 26

According to this counter, BlueSky will soon hit 30 million. bsky-users.theo.io

Bluesky User Counter

bsky-users.theo.io

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Reposted by Mark Stencel

Blair @blairhickman.bsky.social · Jan 26

Launch your career as an independent creator journalist, guided by me and a stellar crew!

I'm teaching a module on business basics and how to make sure that you can afford to go solo, both emotionally and financially. (Forever a strategist, in both work and life.)

More deets, and signup ⬇️

Liz Kelly Nelson @lizkellynelson.com · Jan 23

🗞️ Journalists: Ready to go solo? Project C's Going Solo workshop is built for you. Learn to grow your audience, build sustainable revenue and create impactful journalism — on your own terms.

👉 Sign up now: projectc.biz/goingsolo

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Jan 25

^ I attended an in-person version of the "Going Solo" workshop at the 2024 Online News Association conference. It was incredibly smart, actionable, and well organized. Highly recommend!

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Jan 25

Are you interested in independent creator journalism? Sign up for "Going Solo," a 6-week workshop starting 2/27 led by the best in the biz: @lizkellynelson.com, @ryankellett.com, @blairhickman.bsky.social, @caitlindewey.bsky.social, @lexroman.com and Lynn Walsh. Details: www.projectc.biz/goingsolo

Going Solo Workshop | Project C

www.projectc.biz

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Dec 31

"Never edit just to edit. Some of the best editing jobs I’ve ever done have been the pieces of work that I’ve edited the least."
-- Glenn Stout, coach, consultant and freelance editor, in a @niemanstoryboard.org interview with Carly Stern

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The Poynter Institute @poynterinstitute.bsky.social · Dec 19

Have you heard the latest episode of The Poynter Report Podcast?

An industry veteran discusses how local TV news can charter a path forward in an era when younger audiences have little interest in watching a traditional news cast.

Listen now:

www.poynter.org/business-wor...

The path forward for diminishing local TV news? Less TV. - Poynter

In the latest episode of ‘The Poynter Report Podcast,’ media veteran Elliott Wiser dramatically reimagines local TV news to ensure its survival

www.poynter.org

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Dec 30

"An editor who was fired for talking to us. A tipster’s massive find..." ...and more. Managing editor @itsren.bsky.social gathers up the year's best offerings from @poynterinstitute.bsky.social. Read on. www.poynter.org/commentary/2...

Editor’s choice: 15 of the best Poynter articles from 2024 - Poynter

A retrospective of a cult classic journalism movie. An editor who was fired for talking to us. A tipster’s massive find. What a year it was.

www.poynter.org

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Dec 20

Worth noting, the role of the newsroom public editor/ombudsman/reader representative has been vanishing. But there is still an Organization of News Ombudsmen & Standards Editors (ONO): newsombudsmen.org

Organization of News Ombuds and Standards Editors (ONO) – Monitoring the accuracy, fairness and balance of the world's news media

newsombudsmen.org

Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Dec 20

From sanewashing to ageism... Here's a look at how NPR Public Editor @kellymcb.bsky.social and her team respond to complaints and concerns. Kelly also leads the ethics and leadership work at @poynterinstitute.bsky.social. (And h/t to NPR's @edeggans.bsky.social)

The Top 5 NPR Public Editor newsletters for 2024

You like it when we're hard on NPR

www.npr.org

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Mark Stencel @markstencel.bsky.social · Dec 18

The challenge: "[W]ith so much information (and misinformation) flying around, it’s clear the traditional approach isn’t cutting it. People are overwhelmed, exhausted, and, in many cases, just tuning out." Lynn Walsh of @trustingnews.bsky.social tells us what news people can do about it....

Trusting News @trustingnews.bsky.social · Dec 18

Assistant Director Lynn Walsh for the @niemanlab.org predictions: “For too long, newsrooms have created content based on their own routines, preferences, and platforms ... without really thinking about what the audience wants — or can keep up with."

www.niemanlab.org/2024/12/focu...

Focusing on what people actually need

"For too long, newsrooms have created content based on their own routines, preferences, and platforms, churning out long stories or endless updates without really thinking about what the audience want...

www.niemanlab.org

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