Introducing Eric: Leif Media x Popa & Associates
If you’ve ever chased a dream, you know how downright scary it can be. But also, it’s kind of wonderful.
That’s the (proverbial) boat I found myself in early last year: stuck in the semi-nightmarish 9-5 cycle while also grieving the sudden loss of my dad. As the stress-trauma-anxiety trifecta went from simmering to boiling over, I knew something had to give. It turns out that “something” was my job.
I know lots of people have lost parents at a young age—and I also know that nothing can prepare you for that. My dad’s passing felt both unexpected and prolonged. It also happened at a time when strict COVID protocols meant that I didn’t really get a chance to say goodbye.
In the blink of an eye, it all seemed to slip away.
But while his death ushered in a wave of grief, it also provided me with some much-needed clarity: life is short—and our dreams can’t (and shouldn’t) wait. Lucky for me, I met someone who feels exactly the same way.
(Hint: it’s Whitney.)
The Whitney x Eric collab
I had the pleasure of connecting with Whitney shortly after Leif Media & PR helped me turn a dream into a reality. Leif is my communications consultancy, and each and every day I’m so proud to provide mission-driven communication with heart to school districts, nonprofits, and education organizations. I’ve thrown myself into this venture—late nights and stress tears and all—and have been given so much joy and fulfillment in return.
Whitney and I clicked instantly, bonding over practical things like business ownership, heavy things like losing a parent far too soon, and fun things like reality TV. (Where my Below Deck people at?) To her credit, Whitney has also mentored me, provided a safe space for venting, and been one of my biggest cheerleaders. And tbh, she’s come in clutch with parenting advice.
(Side note: I’m a dad to the squishiest little twins, so if you could ever use a dose of cute baby pics x2, check out @mn_dads on Insta.)
Although I’ve been working with Whitney behind the scenes for more than a year, consider this my official Popa & Associates introduction. Throughout the past 16 months, this lifelong Midwesterner has had the best time getting to know the Pacific Northwest, virtually uncovering its hidden gems and sharing stories of the people who make it such a special place to live, work, and be. And while education and nonprofits are always close to my heart, working with vibey clients in the travel and tourism space has been a fun departure.
Blog bonus: Communications hacks you should know about
Speakinggg of nonprofits, I recently presented at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ 2023 Annual Conference in Duluth. (Pro tip: Add a trip to Duluth to your bucket list. It’s a stunning town located on the shores of Lake Superior and is well worth your time!)
My presentation focused on budget-friendly communications hacks for nonprofits, although the tools I highlighted make sense for any business or organization. Because some of these are too good not to share (and because I put an obscene amount of work into the presentation), here are four communications hacks that should be on your radar:
Grammarly for Chrome, an easy-peasy way to leverage real-time writing suggestions that will make your content shine. The game-changer here is the seamless integration with Chrome that provides suggestions wherever you write online—Google Docs, email, social media, you name it. If you’re a nonprofit or NGO, Grammarly’s premium features may be free for you until May 1, 2024.
Canva, a nifty little tool you probably should have heard of by now. Canva’s been around for a while, and for good reason: its 420,000+ templates, unique branding capabilities, and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for folks in all sorts of roles. And, I’m nothing if not a bargain hunter, which is why I search for allll the deals. Like Grammarly, Canva’s premium features are free for nonprofits, education organizations, and more. See if you can get in on this offer—clipping coupons not required!
Sprout Social’s Always Up-To-Date Social Media Image Sizes Cheat Sheet. It really rolls off the tongue, huh? Lengthy name aside, this tidy lil’ Google Sheet is my go-to resource for ensuring images and graphics are appropriately sized for all social media platforms. The experience stakeholders have when engaging with you matters, including on the socials. Reference this tool and consider it a quick win for your online presence.
WebAIM might end up becoming your web accessibility BFF. Maybe it’s because I primarily come from a public organization background, but website accessibility is always top of mind for me. And when you consider that 75% of Americans with disabilities are using the internet every day, creating accessible websites should be top of mind for you, too. With the ability to check color contrast, text size, and other key accessibility issues—plus access to a slew of checklists, resources, worksheets, and more—WebAIM is worthy of a place in your browser’s bookmarks.
A note of appreciation
PNW (and P&A) community: Thanks for welcoming me to your corner of the world. I can’t wait to continue telling your stories, collaborating with Whitney, and cheering you on from the Twin Cities.
Here’s to chasing dreams—one blog, social post, and communications hack at a time.