Blog

Blog

Broadband Marketing, Digital Marketing, Marketing Campaigns, Member/Consumer Experience

Timeless Storytelling Insights from Thomas Alva Edison

The first bill for electricity — a whopping $50.40 — was paid to Edison Electric Light Company 140 years ago this week on Jan. 18, 1883. A decade later, people were still not convinced electricity doesn’t impact sleep or make you sick. We pull three story-sharing ideas from the past to help you reach today’s consumers.

Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC

January 18, 2023

Blog

Broadband Marketing, Marketing Campaigns, Member/Consumer Experience, Writing

Three Ways StoryConnect Strengthens Your Story

At StoryConnect, rural telco and electric utility communicators swap stories, share inspiration and connect with peers. Never been? Discover some of the sessions and networking opportunities featured this spring, and learn three ways the conference supports your storytelling skills and strengthens your peer network, too.

Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC

January 12, 2023

Blog

Content Planning, Social Media

Resolve to Plan Social Media Stories in 2023

While power restoration updates and community events are a hefty part of your social media activity, long-range planning forms the backbone of a successful social media content plan. Get tips from Pioneer Social’s utility storytellers.

Sydney T. Turner

January 10, 2023

Blog

Writing

Four Things We Can Learn from Artificial Storytelling

ChatGPT, Jasper and other writing bots are making headlines. How will artificial storytellers impact the perceived value of utility communicators? I found four features which could help strengthen your content (as long as you stay in control).

Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC

December 20, 2022

Blog

Inside the Magazine, Magazines, Writing

Five Favorite Features From 2022

The editors at Pioneer are storytellers. Here are five of my favorite magazine stories from the last year, covering rodeos, exciting trails, local history, mystery and college tips. I’m willing to bet there are similar stories to be found in your service area if you know where to look.

Mike Teegarden, CCC

December 12, 2022

Blog

Inside the Magazine, Magazines, Pioneer News, Writing

Three Lessons from a Storied Career

We’re celebrating Pioneer Senior Editor Pam Blair's storied career by marking how she strengthened stories and supported utility storytellers. She shares the importance of human connections, why she designs story experiences and how to build a career with curiosity.

Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC

December 6, 2022

Blog

Broadband Marketing, Broadband News

Broadband Marketing Trends to Strengthen Your Story in 2023

While outlining Utility Pioneer content strategies for 2023, our team uses market trends to inform our storytelling approach. Use three key takeaways from a Calix report to strengthen your broadband story and help increase your take rate.

Jennifer L. Urban

November 29, 2022

Blog

Consumer Education, Pioneer News, Writing

A Writer’s Wish Come True

We're thankful for utility storytellers like our former magazine editor, Curtis Condon. Have you read his story about crawdads, community and rural electrification? Learn how his storytelling style has shifted and why he believes sharing co-op stories matters.

Jennifer Paton, CCC

November 15, 2022

Blog

Broadband News, Marketing Campaigns

Targeted Messages Help Secure Broadband Growth

Did you know a series of lawsuits over easements almost stopped broadband expansion in Missouri? Learn how targeted messages helped Utility Pioneers pass legislation to protect broadband growth.

Zach Pollock

November 2, 2022

Blog

Broadband Marketing, Broadband News

Five Calix ConneXions Takeaways: Think Multi Gig, Deliver Experiences, Listen, Bring Social Proof and Focus on Innovation

Calix ConneXions 2022 is always a great conference for broadband marketers, featuring a mix of peer panels and national experts. Here are five takeaways to help Utility Pioneers strengthen broadband programs.

Andy Johns

October 25, 2022

Blog

Branding, Consumer Education, Marketing Campaigns, Writing

How to Find and Share your Brand Story

Stories are critical for connecting with consumers. How can utilities use proactive communications and engagement strategies to reach their audience? Get four steps to help strengthen your brand's story, then join our Nov. 2 webinar to build your story in 2023!

Megan McKoy-Noe, CCC

October 20, 2022

Blog

Pioneer News

How Ghost Stories and Co-op Roots Created a Spirited Storyteller

How did a ghostly encounter spark a lifelong love of stories? Meet Katie Norris, a member of our Pioneer Social team. After watching realities collide while leading ghost tours, she took lessons learned and applied them to co-op storytelling.

Katie Norris

October 12, 2022