Musings on Messaging

Welcome to the MessageSpecs blog. Here, you’ll find samples of work I’ve done with others (attributed) and some new thoughts on how we can communicate smarter.

The Standard Startup Pitch Deck Is … Fine. Your Messaging Probably Isn’t.

Startup founders often rely on standard pitch deck structures, but it’s crucial to enhance them with narrative and clarity. Many slides lack emotional engagement, making pitches feel flat. Utilizing tools like MessageDeck cards can…
Cavebrain is Killing Marketing and it’s Our Fault

Modern marketers often focus on logical arguments to persuade consumers, overlooking the emotional influence of the brain’s limbic system. This system triggers fast, instinctual decisions before analytical thinking kicks in. Effective marketing should engage…
Be a Nerd That Talks Good … the Audiobook!

I’m excited to share that my book, Be a Nerd That Talks Good, is now available in audiobook format!
You don’t need more ideas. You need a marketing message system

If you’ve ever sat in a conference room (or more likely a Zoom meeting) watching your team try to jam a mission statement, some scattered value props, and a few KPI slides into a…
What the Nerds That Talk Good are Into

Discover the ultimate resource roundup from Nerds That Talk Good! Explore must-read books, expert insights, storytelling frameworks, and top tools for technical communication, developer marketing, and cybersecurity messaging—all shared by the brightest minds in…
Custom-Tailored Market Messaging?

You’ll see the word “tailor” or “customize” in marketing quite often. What exactly does it mean to tailor a message? It seems counterintuitive for a book on developing core messaging to also advocate for…
On didgeridoos and stories

I was at an event last night and had a great conversation with the program manager of a startup accelerator. But it almost didn’t happen. Someone I’d met earlier told me to seek her…
Happy New Year (and a little bit)

Reflecting on one year of MessageSpecs and looking forward to what’s to come. ❤️ 🧠 🍔
Heart, Head, Gut: Using Aristotle for your technical messaging

Picture this: Aristotle, in a hoodie, walking the halls of a tech convention. Sounds out of place, right? But here’s the kicker — his teachings on persuasion are more relevant now than ever, especially…
RocketMSP with Steve Taylor

I joined the RocketMSP podcast to discuss how managed service providers can improve their messaging, without overwhelming or “dumbing down.”
Bare Knuckles and Brass Tacks Podcast

Listen to my interview with the hosts of the Bare Knuckles and Brass Tacks podcast. We talk about where cyber marketing goes wrong.
Be a Nerd that Talks Good workshop @ DEF CON 31

I was fortunate to join the Misinformation Village at the DEF CON hacker conference in 2023. And you can join the group experiment to develop a unified messaging foundation for talking about misinformation.
Cybersecurity Standup with Uptycs

I was floored and honored to sit down with the incredible Bronwen Hudson of Uptycs at Black Hat 2023. We had an amazing time discussing poor cybersecurity marketing, equity in hiring, and food! You…
Cards Against Misinformation

Can a simple-looking “card game” be used to combat the rising threat of AI-generated misinformation? We found out at this year’s MozFest!
Three hours to better marketing?

Building a message system takes time, but we can shortcut it together … if you’re willing to put in the work.
Free Webinar Replay: Effective Cybersecurity Marketing

Learn where cyber comms can go wrong and how to avoid the pitfalls in this webinar replay.
Sun Tzu and 5 Audience Analysis Tips

Sun Tzu said, “if you know your audience and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred emails.“…Or something like that.
Is Your Content Marketing Score an A+ or a “Huh, What?”

There are many ways to measure your content marketing program. Some are useful. Many are not. Where do you start?
Four Principles for Clear Cyber Communications

Where do most cyber communicators go wrong when conveying complex tech? Here are four areas to watch.
The secret to motivating leadership about digital risk?

What’s the secret to motivating leadership about digital risk? Understand that there is no such thing.
Masters of the Branding Universe

Let’s take a walk down memory lane and look at five lessons to market your product like He-Man.