The Intro Call

The best way to start is by planning a 15 minute call.

When you sit down at an American diner, no one rushes you. People are polite. They listen. There’s a weight to the coffee mug, a lightness to the conversation. That’s the spirit I bring to an intro call: a simple place to meet, get to know each other, and focus on what matters. We can laugh off what doesn’t.

You’re not calling a salesperson. I have the privilege of working with interesting people, and I’m happy to simply say hello and chat.

Preparation

A call is about your project, so it helps to know what you want. But if you don't know yet, it's my job to awaken that part of your imagination. Here are the first questions I ask:

• Intentions – What would you like to make possible?
• Audience – Who are you hoping to support, connect, or inspire?
• Existing Materials – Are there documents, systems, or datasets already in place?
• Timing – Is there a moment or rhythm that’s important to your organization?
• Budget Range – Even a general sense helps shape realistic ideas.
• People – Who else should be part of imagining or realizing this work?

There’s no need to have everything figured out – early conversations are where we begin to draw the map.

At this stage, it's best to define our goals without pointing to other projects for guidance. No matter your size, you should be able to stand on your own two feet.