Communications Strategist · Content Architect · Brand Advisor I help senior executives connect internal and external audiences to their mission and strategy through tailored, strategic communications. Most people treat communications as an afterthought, something you figure out once the strategy is done. In my experience, that's where things go sideways. Business strategy and communications strategy need to grow up together — the gap between having a strategy and people actually believing in it is almost always a communications problem. Before going independent, I spent four years as Industry Communications Manager at RSM US LLP, one of the largest professional services firms in the world, leading communications for industries including private equity, life sciences, real estate, and construction. I was embedded in leadership teams, contributed to strategy at the partner level, and helped launch service lines, technology platforms, and integrated social media campaigns. Before RSM, I spent nearly a decade at C-SPAN, starting as a production intern and working my way up to producing Washington Journal, where I booked members of Congress and briefed our on-air hosts for live national television. I finished as a Marketing Specialist managing community relations strategy, staff, and budget across the country, generating 200+ national media placements along the way. Outside of work, I make music with my brother, read voraciously, and spend as much time as possible with my wife and two young kids. Most firms know what they do. Fewer can explain why it matters to the people they're trying to reach. I turn structured discovery sessions into a clear-eyed assessment of where your communications are falling short and a concrete plan to close the gap. Your executives have real expertise. The question is whether the right people know it. I work as a senior communications partner to turn what your leaders know into content that builds credibility, opens doors, and keeps your firm in the right conversations. Strategy is only useful if it actually runs. For firms ready to execute, I provide LinkedIn authority management, monthly reporting, and quarterly strategy reviews. The work compounds, so visibility and credibility grow without taxing your internal marketing team.
Every engagement starts with a structured assessment of where your communications are working, where they aren't, and what to do about it. From there, most engagements move through three phases. A 90-day organizational assessment built on two tracks: confidential one-hour sessions with leadership and the frontline teams who shape the client experience, plus a hands-on review of your current content and performance data. The output is a written audit and a 12–18 month content roadmap your team will actually use — not a deck to file away. Once the roadmap is in place, the work shifts to a monthly cadence: one ghost-written executive article published under your designated leader, full LinkedIn authority management for that leader, a monthly performance intelligence report on what's working and what isn't, and a quarterly strategy review. Additional services layered in as needed. The most common: a monthly market briefing your advisors can use in client conversations, regional PR support, custom lead magnets, video strategy and scripting, and expanded coverage for additional executives. This is a solo-partner model. You get my personal attention and strategic thinking at every stage — no account managers passing your brief down a chain, no junior staff learning on your dime. I work best with firms who know they're good at what they do but feel a disconnect between their strategy and execution. If that sounds familiar, here's what you can count on: - My actual opinion, not a reflection of yours If the timing is right, reach out below. Tell me about your firm and what you're trying to accomplish. If there's a fit, I'll follow up within two business days to set up a call.
Joel Bacon
What I Do
Brand & Communications Strategy
Executive Content & Authority
Ongoing Partnership
What This Looks Like
Strategic Audit & Content Roadmap
The Core Retainer
À La Carte
What It's Like to Work With Me
- Clear deliverables and honest timelines, no scope creep
- Strict confidentiality of internal data and proprietary strategy
- A bias toward execution, not endless strategy decks
Let's Talk About Your Brand
Services
The Process
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The Working Relationship
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