As the negative news piles on, we become increasingly numb to it and less affected by tragedy. It may not be right or good, but it’s a fact. I recently heard Jeff Kositsky, director of San Francisco’s Department of Homelessness, call this “empathy fatigue.” Although he was speaking about the chronic issue of homelessness, the term applies more broadly. We’re unable to constantly operate in a hyper-affected state, and as we hear more and more bad news, it’s impossible for our empathy not to hit a ceiling.

So, what does this mean? Americans are hopeful, charitable and committed to advancing the causes they care about. In 2015, $373.25 billion was donated to charitable organizations (Giving USA), with 17.4% of all giving taking place in December (Blackbaud 2015 Charitable Giving Report). Clearly, end-of-year fundraising is important for nonprofits. But what can they do to overcome empathy fatigue and stand out among all the nonprofits clamoring for contributions? Below are a few suggestions from a communications perspective on how to keep donors engaged and feeling generous.

See 6 tips on how nonprofits can overcome ‘Empathy Fatigue’ on PR News.

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With the legalization of recreational cannabis, competition in an already competitive state is going to skyrocket. Cannabis growers and retailers looking to build their brand and turn trial into repeat purchases must be able to explain and effectively promote the reasons of their brand’s trustworthiness to consumers, at the risk of seeing customers go elsewhere. At the top of the list for successful brands will be the development and implementation of a branding strategy that allows them to rise above the noise.

See 10 tips to help your brand prosper over the long term in our column on Cannabis Business Times.

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