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Randy Ford

First Story Strategies

 

Member profile details

First Name
Randy
Last Name
Ford
Company
First Story Strategies
Title
Writer & Storytelling Strategist
Phone
2024874200
Address Line 1
205 North Michigan Ave.
Address Line 2
Suite 810
City
Chicago
State/Province
IL
Zip Code
60601
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Website / Social Platforms

 

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Company Profile

Company Overview
Randy Ford is a writer and storytelling strategist who helps nonprofits and membership associations share stories about people, policy and progress. He began his career as a radio reporter, leading award-winning tax policy coverage in his home state of Tennessee. Randy then spent 10 years working for a member of Congress as press secretary and eventually chief of staff. He later served as vice president of strategic communications at LRG Public Affairs in D.C. After moving to Chicago, he founded First Story Strategies in 2016, bringing his storytelling expertise to nonprofit, association and government agency organizations in such subject matter areas as public health, education, workforce development, transportation, community development, affordable housing, defense and military family quality of life.
Company Logo
Services
Communications strategy
Writing & editing
Policy advocacy
Video production
Workshops & training
Practice Areas (select top 3)
  • Communications, Marketing & Public Relations (including Research and Strategy)
  • Event Planning
  • Policy Analysis and Advocacy
  • Writing/Editing
Client List
Sample list:
Aunt Martha's Health & Wellness
Association of Defense Communities
National Job Corps Association
Testimonial 1
I am delighted by the quality of my new bio and website copy, and I'm thrilled by the amount of time I saved by asking Randy to write them for me. The tone of his writing is always spot on, and his insight into communication strategy added value to both of the projects he completed for me. I highly recommend that you hire Randy for any public-facing communication you want to sound professional and polished.
-Thom Heil, Owner, Heil Health & Wellness
Testimonial 2
“It’s important for us to highlight the personal side of what happens in communities across the country that military installations call home. First Story knows how to bring those stories to life and showcase the men, women, families, local leaders and others who are committed to our national security.”
-Matt Borron, Chief Operating Officer, Association of Defense Communities
Testimonial 3
“Randy is thoughtful and reliable helping people quickly see where their messaging needs a reframe.”
Stacey Saunders, Business Coach, Saunders Consulting
 

Speaker's Bureau Information

Speaker Bio
Randy Ford is a writer and storytelling strategist who helps nonprofits and membership associations share stories about people, policy and progress. He began his career as a radio reporter, leading award-winning tax policy coverage in his home state of Tennessee. Randy then spent 10 years working for a member of Congress as press secretary and eventually chief of staff. He later served as vice president of strategic communications at LRG Public Affairs in D.C. After moving to Chicago, he founded First Story Strategies in 2016, bringing his storytelling expertise to nonprofit, association and government agency organizations in such subject matter areas as public health, education, workforce development, transportation, community development, affordable housing, defense and military family quality of life.
Topic 1
"Storytelling for Business Growth & Better Communication"
Topic 1 Description
Summary: Everybody seems to realize now that storytelling is an important part of what we do as business leaders and organizations. But “story” has become a buzzword that many people don’t know how to execute daily. In this hands-on session, we will learn the principles that have made storytelling the oldest, most successful form of communications and how to take “storytelling” from a board room concept to a Slack channel realization. The ideas and practical tips offered in this workshop will be useful to business owners, corporate leaders, affiliate leaders and anyone else who wants to improve their professional or personal communications by learning the basics of what makes a story.
Topic 2
"Your Story, My Story and Why They Matter"
Topic 2 Description
The most important thing we leave behind is the legacy of the impact we've had on the people around us and on the world. This session is a chance to explore what things are important about our personal stories and how to share them.
Topic 3
"Extending Conference Content: How to Purposefully Repurpose & Reuse"
Topic 3 Description
Writers and publishers are asked to contribute to a growing range of association products with fewer resources, but there’s good news: Other people are already developing much of the content. You just need to learn to repurpose it.

This session will share practical ways to turn a few days’ worth of event material into fresh content that gets you to the next conference and might even generate revenue. Bring questions and suggestions about how to maximize any association’s conference content.

The Association of Consultants to Nonprofits | 400 E. Randolph St., #3115 | Chicago, IL 60601


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