Oh, hi!
We’re living in a moment where attention is currency and trust is the real ROI.
Your residents are scrolling through more content, faster, on more platforms than ever. That means the story you tell, how you show why the work matters, can’t wait for a perfect photoshoot or an annual report.
It has to live where your people already are.
And it has to sound like you.
Three Things You Should Know:
1️⃣ Storytelling is now a core leadership skill.
From mayors to comms staff, your team’s ability to explain “why this matters” determines whether people tune in or tune out.
2️⃣ Short-form stories outperform polished campaigns.
According to a 2025 report from SundaySky, short-form videos under 1 minute have an average engagement rate of 50%, significantly outperforming other video formats and prompting brands to prioritize micro content in their strategies.
3️⃣ Your best stories are already happening.
Every resident win, partner quote, or behind-the-scenes photo is raw material. You just need a system to capture it.
This part really matters:
When storytelling becomes a daily habit—not an afterthought—you build consistency, connection, and credibility. That’s how trust compounds.
Try this:
📋 Start a ‘Story Bank.’
Use a shared doc or spreadsheet to log every quote, stat, or image that made someone smile, pause, or share. Tag it by theme and use it when you need content fast.
🎥 Launch a ‘One-Minute Monday’ Reel.
Each week, spotlight a quick story told by a staffer, partner, or resident in under 60 seconds. Authentic > polished.
💬 AI Assist Prompt:
“Rewrite this update as a one-sentence story that highlights emotion, purpose, and impact.”
How does your team collect stories now?
What’s one story your city should be telling right now but isn’t yet? Hit reply and tell me.
—Dana
Sponsored by Orlo
This month, we’re proud to be supported by Orlo, the digital engagement platform built for the public sector.
From social media management and archiving to AI insights and customer service management, Orlo helps teams streamline communications, stay responsive, and build public trust—whether it’s crisis comms or everyday updates.
🎤 Want me to speak at your next event?
From virtual keynotes to in-person workshops, I partner with city teams, associations, and organizations to talk about what’s next in digital engagement, citizen experience, and government storytelling.
