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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High Impact Career Resources Library
I recently jed took part in the CEA Career Bootcamp, which has a resources library. Here are the articles, videos, and tools referenced across the…
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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…
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,…