Here's how you can use your creative skills as a community organizer to shape public opinion.

Is it about shaping public opinion, or providing the connective tissue to reveal what we value? Through connection, places and events that offer belonging, continuously inviting people to engage is what matters. Being open minded and looking beyond black/white thinking is important to model. Ask questions. Be curious. Offer spaces on a regular basis to gather. I've done in through a women's salon, and also through online monthly gatherings for women change-makers and climate/environment nonprofits. Come to learn yet make sure purposeful connection happens.

Crafting compelling content that evokes emotion and drives behavior involves many nuanced factors. First of all, you must have a comprehensive knowledge of the service, product, or concept you are delivering. Ensure a thorough understanding of the audience you are trying to target. Have a goal, a message. What feelings does this story evoke? Leave the EYE wanting more. Leave the BRAIN wanting to KNOW more. Integrating factors can become more expanded and equated to fit the primary goals. Put into active practice the concepts that will influence consumer methodology in the composition. This dictates the psychological factors you use to implement color theory, font, schematics, lines, positive/negative space, and media. Be fearless!

To craft engaging content, focus on storytelling to connect people to your cause through relatable stories and personal experiences. Use open-ended questions to encourage active participation and learning. Emphasize visuals by using compelling images, videos, and interactive displays to convey your message.

Bringing visuals provides both the appeal and draw. It can convey your message better and quicker than text. It is a quick, engaging option for marketing and can be used cross-departmentally. Sharing a theme with the message will tie it all together.

With digital engagement it is also important to remember your level of reach. You may have incredible content, but if it's not reaching the target audience it will not have the impact you intended.

Identify and leverage community partners to build engagement and promote experiences aligned with organizational goals. Create Pop-Up events to surprise and delight with mini-performances, storytelling opportunities, and interactive activities. Consider a mobile exhibit if you partner with an arts organization and create an opportunity to travel, making it accessible to a wider audience. For youth engagement, collaborate with partners to create a Youth Innovation Summit. Engaging young people in innovation and leadership activities can inspire the next generation and showcase their potential. This focus on youth empowerment and development can position the organization as an influential supporter of future leaders.

First, define your cause and audience. What specific issue are you trying to address? Who are your target audiences? Creative event formats might include: a community art project, such as a mural, which promotes collaboration and visual impact; a themed festival, such shares diverse perspectives and encourages a sense of community; an interactive workshop to empower participants, foster problem-solving skills, and encourage active participation; a film screening and discussion; or open mic night for storytelling related to the cause.

Cross-collaboration is a great opportunity for the Non-profit and Education industries especially. They can use the expertise of businesses in the community and partner them with particular initiatives or projects.

It’s been helpful for me to use storytelling to define a problem, incorporate research and investigative studies, and incorporate positive actions to alleviate or help the situation. The storytelling illustrates why an issue is important and how it impacts others. Readers are able to visualize how the circumstances may apply to the their own lives or the lives of loved ones. Giving actionable information gives the reader an avenue to take action and join the cause. Advocating is much easier when you have a team supporting you.

This option is one where I often allow the stakeholders to lead the topic. If they have a particular area they’re looking to embrace we can start there. This has seen an uptick in participation vs. the standard “here’s the topic” invitation. This serves as a better opportunity for buy-in.

I think creating something--anything--that fuels thought, can be powerful. Writing and gatherings, But also songs and media, visual art, performances... Contributing to the soundtrack of our collective belief system is one of the highest honors. Think about the songs, movies, and books of your adolescence...they are stamped there for good. Doing this kind of important work is what I've been trying to do with my picture book, Sweet Fire--along with its song soundtrack and the Sweet Fire Experiences I have begun to gather. They all center the idea that if we can teach our young people EARLY to own their power, we can make the world exponentially better. Ultimately, if that happens, they can change the world!