Mirth & Joy, Remote Company (2026)

31/12/2025

I'm not really a resolutions person.

But there's something about those fresh calendar dates that makes you pause. New planner. Tax prep (because business owner). The usual end-of-year admin that somehow feels like a reset button.

Heading into 2026, I know what kind of work I want to be doing: working with people who are passionate about what they do and the communities they serve.

The world feels pretty dark right now. The headlines are perplexing at best, terrifying at worst.

And I think that's why people assume creating change needs to be massive - some grand gesture that fixes everything at once.

It doesn't.

You can make change in your community. Wherever that might be.

That's why I do my best thinking out here....walking neighborhoods, exploring communities, noticing what actually brings people together. Talking to people at the dog park. The barista when you get your latte. The man running the local bookstore. You can't build authentic engagement from behind a desk. The insights come from being on the ground, watching how communities work.

Small shifts across many communities add up. Making your neighbors feel more connected. Turning your town into a place people want to stick around. Converting online complaints into productive conversations.

That's the work that fuels me. That's what I'm focused on in 2026.

Not resolutions. Just commitment to the kind of work that makes communities better - one post, one meeting, one connection at a time.

Building something meaningful in your community in 2026? I'd love to hear about it. Let's chat.

15/12/2025

If I had to jump into your social media tomorrow and boost engagement fast? I'd start simple.

Because here's what I know after years of doing this work: You don't need an expensive rebrand or fancy Canva templates to get residents actually engaging. You just need to feel human online.

Here's exactly what I'd do first:

1. Share someone doing the quiet work.
The volunteer who shows up every week. The staff member who went above and beyond. The resident making a difference no one's talking about.

These posts outperform the polished announcements every single time.

2. Ask a question people actually want to answer.
Not "What are your thoughts on our new initiative?"
Try: "What's your favorite holiday tradition in town?" or "Where's your go-to coffee spot on a cold morning?"

People love talking about the place they call home.

3. Post a photo that feels like home.
Your main street lit up for the holidays. The park covered in snow. That corner everyone recognizes.
Local pride drives more engagement than any trending audio ever could.

These three things work. Every time.

And if you want to walk into 2026 with a communication strategy that feels clear, sustainable, and actually connects with residents?

That's exactly what we build at Mirth & Joy.

Ready to make community engagement less overwhelming and more effective? Link in bio to start the conversation.

11/12/2025

December in small towns isn't just about cozy vibes - it's when you actually see what community means.

The elementary school concert that packs the auditorium with three generations of families who aren't even related to the kids on stage.

The winter coat drive at the community center where people drop off their kids' outgrown jackets so other families don't have to choose between heat and warmth.

The local organizations quietly coordinating gift drives that turn into actual wrapped presents under actual trees.

This is when online energy becomes offline action. When people stop talking and start showing up - with their wallets open and their time committed.

It's not perfect. It's not solving systemic problems. But it's neighbors taking care of neighbors - and that still matters.

If your residents are already doing this work, how are you amplifying it? Are you celebrating these moments or letting them happen quietly?

05/12/2025

December moves quickly, and residents are juggling a lot. If you want your posts to actually land this month, stick to this simple, community-first checklist:

• Early reminders
• Human-centered spotlights
• Clear “Know Before You Go” info
• Local business support
• Updates people rely on
• Year-end gratitude posts

Organized communication builds trust every single time.

02/12/2025

We're in the thick of holiday posting season, and most of the online noise you'll see this month won't bring anyone closer together.

Intentional posts do.

PLUS, December is notoriously tough for reach. Algorithm activity drops as people spend less time scrolling and more time living offline. (as they should!!) Your posts are competing with vacation photos, holiday sales, and end-of-year content fatigue.

Which means the posts that make people feel something matter even more.

The ones that help residents plan their week. The ones that highlight the volunteers no one sees. The ones that tell stories instead of shouting announcements. The ones that create connection, not just clicks.

When reach is naturally lower, heart beats hype every single time.

If you want stronger engagement this month, start here: Show your people what matters beyond the lights and graphics. Give them content that makes them pause, feel something, and remember why they love where they live.

The towns that communicate with intention in December? They're the ones residents trust all year long.

Save this if your team is planning out December content today!

27/11/2025

Today, I'm grateful for the communities I get to work with.

The local leaders who meet with me to figure out how to support residents better - making sure important messaging gets out, celebrating when a new business opens, finding ways to reach the people who feel left out of the conversation.

The nonprofit directors stretching impossible budgets to create real impact.

The volunteers who show up not because anyone's watching, but because their town matters to them.

You're not doing it for recognition or viral moments. You're doing it because someone has to, and you care enough to be that someone.

That exhausting, essential work? That's what I get to support. That's what makes this business meaningful.

Today, I'm putting the phone down. Putting on sweatpants. Cuddling up with a dog. Eating too much. And serving canned cranberry sauce in its natural cylindrical form, ridges intact, sliced into perfect rounds - because that's the only acceptable way to serve cranberry and I will not be taking questions at this time.

Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃

24/11/2025

Okay friends…real talk because I know we're all feeling it. If you're the person who says yes to everything in December and then wonders why you're exhausted (hi, it's me), this is your reminder to get ahead of it NOW.

Every school, nonprofit, and small town I work with hits this exact moment in late November where they realize:

"Wait… do we need to post about the holiday decorating contest?"
"Do we even have enough wrapping paper for the gift donations?"
"Is anyone even getting photos at the holiday concert?"

And then someone (probably you) says "I'll handle it" to all of it.

Look: A little planning now means you're not drowning in December when you've already committed to seventeen other things.

Nothing complicated. Nothing overwhelming.
Just map out your December highlights so you're not adding last-minute content creation to your already-packed schedule.

Think about:
✨ Your holiday kickoff events
✨ Community celebrations that matter
✨ End-of-year reminders people actually need
✨ Donation drives that deserve attention
✨ "We're closed/we're open" announcements (please don't forget these)
✨ Local traditions worth celebrating

It doesn't need to be perfect.
It just needs to be done before December chaos hits.

You've got this. Let's end the year strong without burning out. 💛

20/11/2025

This week, New Jersey's local leaders are in Atlantic City for the NJLM conference.

I couldn't make it, but my article "Likes, Shares, and Local Pride" is in October's NJ Municipalities Magazine (pages 16-18) or read at www.mirthandjoy.com/blog

The piece breaks down how I transformed Ridgefield Park's digital presence: moving beyond follower counts to drive real community participation. Residents discovering programs they needed. Teenagers showing up to volunteer. Small businesses gaining customers because neighbors know they exist.

That's what strategic community communication looks like. Not bulletin board posts - intentional storytelling that converts online engagement into offline action.

The results speak for themselves: nearing 5,000 followers, residents who feel seen and heard, stronger civic pride, communities people want to stay in.

To everyone at the conference: if that October issue is just sitting on your desk, make sure to read it!! There are strategies in there you can put to work. And honestly, read ALL your issues. They're there to help you and your community.

Want more tips like these? Sign up for my newsletter at mirthandjoy.com.

And if you want help making it happen in your community, let's talk. ✨

18/11/2025

Posting once a month right before your fundraiser isn't a strategy. It's a last-minute scramble.

And your community can tell.

Whether you're a PTA, local nonprofit, or small business - people want to see you showing up consistently, not just when you need something from them.

They want to know who you are before you ask them to care.

So post when nothing's happening. Share the small wins. Show the volunteer who stayed late to fold programs. Share when your caterer bailed two days out and the new restaurant down the street stepped up.

Engagement isn't something you can manufacture with a boost button. It's a relationship. And relationships require showing up - especially when you don't "need" anything.

Ready to build community connection instead of chasing event turnout? That's what we do.

07/11/2025

Just because you're in the same state doesn't mean you need the same strategy. And that's where most "local experts" get it wrong.

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ is a tight-knit borough where everyone knows their neighbors and community traditions run deep.

Spring Lake, NJ is managing beachfront property values, seasonal residents, and maintaining exclusivity while staying welcoming.

Haddonfield, NJ is balancing historic suburban charm with its proximity to Philadelphia while maintaining small-town character.

New Brunswick, NJ is managing university life dynamics while serving diverse year-round residents and fostering town-gown relationships.

All New Jersey. All completely different personalities, demographics, and communication needs.

At Mirth and Joy, we don't assume proximity equals similarity. We dig deeper to understand what makes each community tick. What are your residents talking about at coffee shops? What draws people to move there? What keeps them staying?

Because using a "New Jersey strategy" for every New Jersey town is like using the same outfit for a beach wedding and a business meeting.

Your community's story is unique. Your communication strategy should be too.

How well does your current communication reflect your community’s personality?

Let’s talk about what makes your place special.

05/11/2025

Are you spending tens of thousands of dollars at the printer for mailers and postage that get tossed in recycling without even being read?

Let me be clear: I LOVE print materials. I studied graphic design, one of my first jobs was at Penguin Publishing, I still buy physical books, and I send actual greeting cards in the mail. There's something magical about beautiful, tangible design.

Where we have to be realistic though:

Beautiful printed newsletters that go unread aren't preserving tradition - they're just an expensive line item that could be better spent reaching residents where they actually are.

Your printed newsletter also isn't going to be as effective as it could be if you don't have someone actually designing it. Poor layout, tiny fonts, wall-of-text formatting, and clipart with the watermark still visible from the free stock photo site won't inspire anyone to read - no matter how important your message is.

Digital gives you:

✅ Cost-effective frequent communication
✅ No missed deadlines or expensive reprinting
✅ Clickable links for instant engagement
✅ Real data on what your community actually reads
✅ Professional templates that make content look polished (no watermarks!)

Here's the thing:

You don't have to get rid of all things paper. In my building alone, I know folks who don't have email or cellphones. We aren't in an era where you can assume everyone has the tech. But you don't need to send it to your entire town either!

The goal isn't to eliminate print - it's to use both digital and print so intentionally that every piece of communication feels valuable and looks professional.

Mirth & Joy helps community teams blend thoughtful print and digital strategies so your message actually lands - on paper, in inboxes, and in hearts.

💌 When we work together:
• Quick audit of your current materials
• Recommendations for digital templates that mirror your print look
• Simple content rhythm to carry you through the holidays

Let's make your year-end outreach intentional, beautiful, and budget-smart. Visit mirthandjoy.com or send me a message.

04/11/2025

I voted today. Did you?

Look, I know not everyone can volunteer regularly or show up to every meeting or donate.

But we all have something we can contribute.

Vote. Especially in local elections where your voice has the most impact.

Reshare posts so your neighbors actually see what's happening in town.

Show up to one meeting. Comment during public input. Stay informed.

This is why I do this work - I want people to have access to information about their community and to know they CAN get involved, even in small ways.

My town has low voter turnout but the Facebook groups are full of opinions. I want to take that energy and funnel it towards progress, towards getting involved, towards showing up outside of social media.

If you voted today, especially in local races - thank you for showing up.

If you didn't? There is still time - and there are still ways to be involved. Find one that works for you.

We all have something we can do.

Mirth & Joy

31/12/2025

15/12/2025

11/12/2025

05/12/2025

02/12/2025

27/11/2025

24/11/2025

20/11/2025

18/11/2025

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