Taft Matney
8.6K posts

Taft Matney
@taftmatney
Husband. Dad. Christ-Follower. Conservative. PR flack. Political hack. Mauldin City Council. *THIS IS MY PERSONAL ACCOUNT. OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE MINE ALONE.*

I ate at the one in Mauldin on Friday. If you’re ever passing through, send me a DM. I’m buying.

Meet me in the A gap @_willcompton.

Strong advocacy isn’t built on a single conversation. It's built on relationships. The most effective advocates don’t just appear when an issue is moving. They build credibility year-round.


For local governments, communication can’t start when there’s a problem. Proactive communication builds trust. Reactive statements manage damage. Transparency, consistency, and setting expectations early make the difference.

Good messaging doesn’t just inform. It builds confidence. There’s a difference between talking AT stakeholders and communicating WITH them. Clarity. Context. Consistency. That’s how public entities and nonprofits build trust, not just awareness.

Social media should support your mission, not just fill space on a calendar. If a post doesn’t serve a purpose for your audience, it’s just noise.

This week, I was sworn in for a new term on Mauldin City Council and honored to be chosen again by my colleagues to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. Serving Mauldin is a privilege, and having my family by my side for the swearing-in made it even more special.

A new year brings new challenges and opportunities. For us, January isn’t about resolutions. It’s about strategy. From legislative priorities to public messaging, now sets the tone for the year ahead. Plan early, communicate clearly, and build relationships intentionally.

With New Year’s Eve quickly approaching, a lot of people will have fireworks in their plans. We were glad to be able to connect our friends at the Boiling Springs Fire District and WYFF to help spread the word about fireworks safety.

A strong "Year in Review" builds trust in your org and sets up next year’s story. The best year-end messaging does 3 things well. It shows progress, it connects actions to impact, and it looks ahead with purpose. Done right, it's not a highlight reel. It’s a credibility builder.

If you bring issues to Columbia: * Offer solutions, not just problems. * Present data to show real-world impact. * Understand the legislative landscape. * Respect legislators' and staff's time. Thoughtful conversations and built trust make your advocacy more effective.

Strong PR comes from year-round media relationships, not one-off press releases. Be helpful, be available, be consistent, and respect deadlines. Build trust today, and your communications will be stronger all year.



What houses have you seen around the Upstate that put up lights to add to your holiday cheer? A friend at WSPA just asked us. If you have video of your favorite Christmas lights from a home display, e-mail it (in horizontal/landscape orientation) to holidaylights@wspa.com.

