Episode Category The StoryConnect Podcast
Get Out of Gotcha Moments

How much of the publicly-shared interactions with utility staff is trolling versus investigative reporting by concerned citizens who have a right to hold the utility accountable? We're talking to Ryan Hall about “Getting Out of the Gotcha Moments” at NWPPA’s Northwest Innovations Conference in Idaho.
Building on Broadband: Utilizing Personal, Targeted Stories for Sales

How do you boost your take rates and cut churn after you've built broadband? OEC Fiber’s Erin McKnight shares her storytelling tactics, including a three-tiered marketing approach by zone and her subscriber stories series. Tune in for fresh ideas!
Happy Employees, Happy Customers

What You’ll Learn It’s difficult to have happy customers if you have unhappy staff. Dr. Trish Holliday and Brent Baker of NES talk about the connection between the two and how to improve both. Guest Speaker Dr. Trish Holliday and…
Getting Ready for ‘The Year of the Co-op’ in 2025

What You’ll Learn We’re gearing up to celebrate the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, so we’ve invited co-op cheerleader Adam Schwartz onto the podcast to help Utility Pioneers brainstorm how to tell our co-op stories in fresh,…
A Scavenger Hunt and Livestream for World Wi-Fi Day

What You’ll Learn Mountain Rural Telephone wanted to educate members about Wi-Fi, broadband and the capabilities they provide. So working with local businesses, they built a campaign around World Wi-Fi Day in June. Guest Speaker Lisa Fannin Show Notes Transcripts…
Are you an Explorer, Creator or Servant? Use Brand Archetypes to Strengthen Campaign Strategies

Dig into the psychology of marketing with Pioneer’s Sarah Lancaster to learn how using archetypes can help your marketing create more meaningful connections with your target audiences.
Is Nextdoor a Good Social Media Option for You?

EWEB is one year into trying out Nextdoor as a communication tool, and they are seeing good results due to the platform’s focus on geographic filters.
Broadband Labels Deadline Insights

With about two months to go before the Oct. 10 broadband label deadline, Dounia Chikhoune, from JSI, shares insights about on what she's seen big and small ISPs do to be ready.
SEO’s Not Dead in North Carolina

SkyLine/SkyBest doesn't let the fact that they are a member-owned telephone cooperative in the North Carolina mountains stop them from fighting hard against big competitors in the search rankings. Edward Hinson shares examples of what they’ve done to move up in the rankings and why it’s worth it.
Putting Pets to Work in the Office

What You’ll Learn Employees at Columbia REA are allowed to bring their pets to work. CEO Scott Peters says it’s a beneficial policy as long as you “paws” to think about the guidelines first. Guest Speaker Scott Peters Show Notes…