Because what you say matters—but how you say it matters more.
TellWell Strategies is a marketing and communications studio rooted in strategic storytelling. We partner with educational institutions, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations to audit messaging, elevate brand voice, and create clear, inclusive communications that build trust, engagement, and long-term impact.
Culturally aware messaging isn’t about trends—it’s about intention. TellWell helps organizations evaluate how language, visuals, and tone are perceived across communities, identifying gaps and opportunities to communicate more clearly, inclusively, and effectively.
Built With Intention
I created TellWell Strategies at the intersection of lived experience and professional expertise. After more than a decade working in marketing, communications, and storytelling in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles—and currently serving in an executive leadership role in higher education—I began to see a persistent gap across institutions, nonprofits, and organizations. The work being done was meaningful, but the way it was being communicated often missed the mark with the very communities these institutions hoped to reach.
In recent years, many formal DEI initiatives have been rolled back or reframed. But the need for culturally aware, thoughtful communication has not disappeared. Families, students, donors, patients, and communities still want to feel seen, respected, and understood. The challenge is rarely intent—it’s alignment.
As a parent, that gap became even more apparent so this work became personal instead of theoretical. It’s shaped by my experience navigating school communications, as a professional responsible for institutional messaging, and as a leader who understands the weight words carry.
I know what it feels like to read a message and sense that something is missing—even when the intent is good. TellWell Strategies was built to help institutions slow down, listen more closely, and communicate in ways that feel thoughtful, clear, and human. Because when messaging is aligned with values and lived experience, trust follows— and trust changes outcomes.
- Rikki D. Nelson, Founder
Ways We Help You Tell It Well
Storytelling turns intention into experience. This package helps institutions capture authentic parent, student, or community voices that demonstrate belonging, support, and credibility—rather than simply stating it.
What’s included:
Core Messaging Audit (included or credited)
Story strategy and interview framework
3-5 Parent, student, or community testimonial videos edited for usage
5-10 Professionally produced digital assets
Guidance on content placement and usage
*Pricing listed is starting price.
This package builds on the Core Messaging Audit and moves from diagnosis to alignment. We help institutions clarify how they communicate across key touchpoints so that messaging feels intentional, consistent, and reflective of lived experience.
What’s included:
Core Messaging Audit (included)
Refinement of key messaging pillars
Admissions or engagement language guidance
Homepage and priority page messaging direction
Alignment recommendations across departments
* Pricing listed is starting price.
The Core Messaging Audit is the foundation of our work. It provides a structured, objective review of how your public-facing communications are landing with your intended audience—particularly families and communities navigating your institution for the first time.
What it includes:
Review of website and key public-facing communications
Assessment of language, tone, and clarity
Visual representation and trust signals review
Call-to-action and decision-journey evaluation
Executive summary + priority recommendations
Optional leadership walkthrough (recommended)
*Pricing listed is starting price
Ongoing Strategic Advisory provides trusted, consistent guidance, on a monthly basis, as communications evolve. This is a partnership model designed to support leadership and marketing teams without replacing internal staff.
What’s included:
Monthly messaging and campaign guidance
Review of communications prior to launch
Cultural awareness and audience insight
Advisory support for leadership or marketing teams
Priority access for questions and strategic input
*Pricing listed is starting price.
FAQs
Who do you work with?
1
We primarily work with:
Colleges and universities
K–12 and private schools
Nonprofits and mission-driven organizations
Community-focused institutions
What does “culturally aware messaging” actually mean?
2
Culturally aware messaging considers the lived experiences, language, values, and perspectives of the audience receiving the message. It ensures communications are respectful, inclusive, and aligned with intent—so messages build trust instead of creating confusion or resistance.
No. While our work is informed by cultural awareness, TellWell Strategies is not a DEI compliance firm. We focus on communications clarity, storytelling, and alignment—helping organizations say what they mean in ways their audiences can truly hear.
3
Is this the same as DEI consulting?
What does the process of working with TellWell Strategies look like?
4
Every engagement begins with discovery—listening, assessing, and understanding your goals, challenges, and audiences. From there, we develop a strategic roadmap and clear deliverables tailored to your institution’s needs. Timelines vary depending on scope. Some projects may take 4–6 weeks, while others extend over several months. We prioritize thoughtful work over rushed outcomes.