Hi, I’m Ben Matthews.
I’m a communications consultant and digital generalist. This site is a collection of practical tools, templates, and articles for communications professionals — whether you work in-house, freelance, or somewhere in between.
I also run a digital agency called Empower, which works with purpose-led organisations on digital strategy and communications.
Articles
Practical writing on communications strategy, campaign planning, and the craft of comms work. Each article pairs with a downloadable tool.
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Free AI resources for charities
A summary of free AI support resources for charities
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How to follow up after a project ends without feeling like you’re pestering
Following up after a project is one of the highest-return activities a freelancer can do. Here is how to do it in a way that…
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How to write a client-facing project plan that doesn’t confuse anyone
A project plan is only useful if the client can read and understand it. Here is how to write one that keeps everyone aligned without…
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Proposals vs quotes: what to send and when in a comms project
Not every new project needs a full proposal. Here is how to decide what to send, when, and how to make sure it does the…
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How to structure a comms retainer agreement
A retainer without a clear agreement is a recipe for scope creep and resentment. Here is what to include to make a retainer work for…
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How to set client expectations before a comms project begins
Mismatched expectations are the root cause of most project problems. Here is how to get aligned before work starts rather than after something goes wrong.
Tools
Downloadable templates and planning tools for communications work. Editable Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PDF guides — built from real practice.
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90-day launch planner
A structured 90-day plan for the first three months of your freelance practice, covering the…
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Admin systems guide
A guide to setting up the admin systems that keep a solo comms practice running…
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Annual leave and capacity planner
A yearly planner to map your holiday, rest periods, and working capacity so you can…
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Budget conversation guide
A practical guide to having the money conversation with a client before a project starts,…
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Business structure decision guide
A practical guide to choosing between sole trader and limited company status as a freelance…
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Campaign Planning Template
A spreadsheet for planning a campaign from start to finish, with sheets covering objectives, audiences,…