The Incomplete Guide of Communications Strategy Analogies

By: Laura Petrolino | September 8, 2015 |

By Laura Petrolino

I’m not sure if other people think like this, as well (and honestly, in general I try not to question if other people think the same way I do. Discovering the truth about that might be scary—for everyone involved).

All of you clearly see this thought process play out here on Spin Sucks, as I use analogies often to discuss different parts of communication and communications strategy.

Analogies, Analogies, Everywhere!

What’s funny, is I didn’t actually realize how much I do rely on analogy as part of my thought process, until all of you amazing crazies started to mention it. So yesterday I decided to go back through all of my blog posts and see just how many are analogy-based.

Um…there are a lot.

I decided to compile them all together here. So, now you have a one-stop shop for all of the communications strategy analogies you could ever dream of.

Of course this is the INCOMPLETE collection—because no doubt—there will be more!

I know, exciting, right?!?

You’re welcome

The Incomplete Collection of Communications Strategy Analogies

The Auto Guide to Your Communications Plan: What’s your car persona? Sports car? Van? Often the hardest part of communications strategy development is taking a subjective look at your organization—the strengths, weaknesses, and different components in play—and, once you have that vision, understanding how you want it to evolve. By figuring out your car person, you are better able to gain perspective on what needs an upgrade and where you need to bring a mechanic in (lots of car puns here, be prepared).

A Bodybuilder’s Guide to Communications Strategy: This one is near and dear to my heart because I discuss a sport that’s a big part of my life, and how lessons learned through bodybuilding can transfer over to communications strategy development. We review four important principals:

The most effective work is not the most prestigious
Focus on goals
Success takes time
Integration is mandatory

The Minimalist Approach to Brand Storytelling: In this post we learn what park benches can teach us about effective brand storytelling in our communications strategy. While there are a lot of good take-aways here (if I do say so myself…and I do), the underlying intent of this post was to make you all jealous of the amazing views I have on a daily basis (my backyard is better than your backyard), so then you’ll all come visit.

In Communications Planning More is Not Better: Is your communications strategy full of junk miles? Tactics which just waste time, energy, and resources? This post discusses how to stop “overtraining” and develop an effective and efficient communications strategy based around your goals.

Growing a Business: The Jump Shot Strategy: Kenny Sailors is the man credited for inventing and perfecting the one-handed jump shot. The remarkable thing about Kenny is he was only 5’10”, not necessarily the height of a man who would create a well-known basketball shot. And that’s why every entrepreneur can learn a lot from Kenny—both about building a communications strategy and a business.

Santa, the Communications Pro: You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not shout I’m telling you why—Santa Claus is a communications powerhouse and he is coming to town with some tips for your communications strategy, including:

Consistent branding;
Transmedia storytelling tactics; and
Community building.

This post is sure to fill your stockings to the brim with communications strategy gifts.

Finding Your Unique Value Proposition: A unique value proposition is a very important part of all communications strategy. In this post we learn what the toys on the Island of Misfit Toys can teach us about finding your UVP. Spoiler alert: Don’t hide your spots.

Employee Engagement: Watch Out for Environmental Factors: Running in a hurricane and employee engagement? You betcha! In the end, awareness and acceptance of how the external environment affects your employee engagement will help you build a internal communications strategy which will support a stronger business.

Crisis Communications Advice from Animals: Animals have spent an eternity developing and refining signaling and communications methods to transmit their messages without the aid of modern technology. Learn crisis communications strategy tactics from prairie dogs, bees, and monkeys that will help you be better prepared.

Choose Your Own Analogy Adventure

No doubt I have many more analogy posts in front of me, but I want to hear some of yours!

Where in life do you most often see analogies to communications strategy?

Or, what future analogy posts would you like to see here?

About Laura Petrolino

Laura Petrolino is chief marketing officer for Spin Sucks, an integrated marketing communications firm that provides strategic counsel and professional development for in-house and agency communications teams. She is a weekly contributor for their award-winning blog of the same name. Spin Sucks. Join the Spin Sucks community.