Forge and Spark Media
290-1275 Venables St. V6A 2E4 Vancouver, BC, Canada

We're excited to lift the curtain so you can get to know the Forge & Spark team a little better. First up for introductions is our Founder & President, Shannon. She is truly the glue that holds us all together. How does she define her role? "My most important job is to make sure that we’re making life easier for our clients, solving their content challenges and delivering content and strategy that amplifies the positive impact their business is making in the world."... Fun fact: She's a certified yoga teacher and during the pandemic worked on perfecting her handstand. (She didn't.) :) #ForgeAndSparkStories #WhoWeAre

You may not know the faces and stories behind Forge & Sparkbut soon will! In the spirit of good brand storytelling, we aim to tell and share over the next months our own stories, motivations, and journeys of purpose (plus lots of foolish facts, too). Please stay tuned .. In the meantime, this is Ock, our official mascot. Did you happen to know that an octopus' arms, and tentacles may in fact have minds of their own, and yet work beautifully together? Remind you of anyone? ... Please say hello to Ock, and to us, and share your story any time. #BehindTheSpark #WhoWeAre #ComingSoon

Um, do we really need to keep it together (while staying apart)? This and more insight on purpose-driven content marketing and business in our newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/forgeandspark.com/you-are-loved-4991094

Whether you’re struggling with a lack of ideas, a shortage of resources or the inability to measure your content’s ROI, you are not alone! Here are 4 areas to look at and how to tackle these common content marketing obstacles: https://bit.ly/3cnTT5d

As a company dedicated to helping purpose-driven businesses tell their story, we were over the moon when the warm, wonderful, and fiercely intelligent Dr. Ali Macintyre approached us to help her launch 100 Days of Purpose this week. She's building a community of people have been challenged over the past year, living with and through the pandemic -- a support network of sorts gathering once a week in an effort to shift from surviving the day to thriving. Oh yes, we're signed ...up. Join us! https://100daysofpurpose.com/ #purposedriven #community

Address these 3 core audience needs in your content today - https://mailchi.mp//address-these-3-core-audience-needs-in

What do you remember more: a line from your favourite movie, or a sales promo you received in your inbox this morning? It’s the great stories that stick in our minds. Stories engage our sense of empathy and give that feel-good feeling that powers trust and action. In short, stories sell better. Discover more on story-focused content marketing: https://buff.ly/38C2j5u

Your team is invested in your success, and cares about your purpose. Celebrate your people by telling their stories on your About page, in social media posts, bylines in articles, or offer testimonials on LinkedIn. Encouraging your team to express your shared purpose in their own unique way, and highlighting them for the stars they are, will connect you bothand help to reach new audiences, too.

In the words of Michael E. Porter of Harvard Business School, Brands can do well by doing good. And effectively communicating your good deeds can take your efforts from good to great. Your content is a perfect means for you to spread the word about how you’re tackling the causes youand your audiencecare about.

At Forge & Spark, kindness is one of our values, guiding us in how we treat one another, and our clients. Love this confirmation -- and especially agree with reason #2 -- that genuine connections (often inspired by kindness) lead to better ideas. http://ow.ly/sjQu50AtfGA

You probably already know that it costs more to acquire new customers than it does to retain existing ones. But if you want return visitors to your website, you’ll need to give them a good reason to come backa fresh blog post, a downloadable ebook, a video or podcast. All great examples of content that brings return traffic to your site, again and again. Read more on why you should invest in quality content for your business: https://buff.ly/38C2j5u

If you don't know of DAME magazine, you should -- all smart and thoughtful content is reported on, analyzed, and presented by women. And if you're feeling anxious, tired, distracted, traumatized and/or confused right now, as most of us are, we urge you to check out the counsel offered by our wise and wonderful client Renee Lertzman, who answers reader questions about the "large-scale trauma on a world-wide scale" that we're all experiencing. Thanks to DAME and to you, Renee.

Adding video to your content strategy: The impact to traffic and rankings. https://www.orbitmedia.com/blog/youtube-content-strategy/ via @orbiteers #contentmarketing

Huge kudos to the amazing folks at Communo (Forge & Spark is a a proud member!) and to all of the makers of Some Good News for this incredible show and its success. I cry every single time I watch.

Empathy enables us to feel a little of what our audience is feeling--and we believe it's essential when it comes to communicating authentically with audiences. We invite you to take fiveand take in this delightful animation based on Brene Brown's distinction between empathy and sympathy. It's worth it.

We're all muddling our way through this profoundly weird time -- and many of us are finding that we've changed our responses and online behaviour. HBR offers several carefully considered actions that brand marketers and advertisers can take to ensure that they're still doing their jobs. http://ow.ly/qokm50zMbJI

Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. - https://mailchi.mp//inspiring-content-for-troubled-times-4

It's a weird, tricky time for brands and business leaders who are trying to communicate. Take *each* of these 4 key steps to ensure compassionate communications in your organization.