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Planning for communication is an eight-step process. How do you develop a plan for communication? When should you develop a plan for communication?Īs soon as your organization begins planning its objectives and activities, you should also start planning ways to communicate them successful communication is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.Ĭommunication is useful at all points in your organization's development - it can help get the word out about a new organization, renew interest in a long-standing program, or help attract new funding sources. If you spend some time planning at the beginning of an effort, you can save a great deal of time later on, because you know what you should be doing at any point in the process. A plan will make your communication efforts more efficient, effective, and lasting.
DEFINE TIMELY COMMUNICATION HOW TO
A plan can be long-term, helping you map out how to raise your profile and refine your image in the community over time.It gives you a structure to determine whom you need to reach and how. A plan will make it possible to target your communication accurately.Why should you develop a plan for communication? As a result, an essential part of any communication plan is to continue using and revising your plan, based on your experience, throughout the existence of your organization. Evaluate your communication efforts and adjust your plan accordingly.Ĭommunication is an ongoing activity for any organization that serves, depends upon, or is in any way connected with the community. The purpose, audience, message, and channels may change, but the need to maintain relationships with the media and with key people in the community remain.Design your message and distribute it to your intended audience. The answers to these questions constitute your action plan, what you need to do to successfully communicate with your audience. The remainder of your communication plan, involves three steps: Whom should you contact, and what should you do to use those channels? (How will you distribute your message?).How do you want to communicate it? (What communication channels will you use?).What do you want to communicate? (What’s your message?).To whom do you want to communicate it? (Who’s your audience?).Why do you want to communicate with the community? (What’s your purpose?).
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To develop a plan for communication, you have to consider some basic questions: Your goal, in this case, is to raise awareness about your initiative's long-term benefits to your community.
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Planning is a way to organize actions that will lead to the fulfillment of a goal. To communicate effectively, it helps to plan out what you want from your communication, and what you need to do to get it. Special events and open houses that your organization holds.Outreach and presentations to other health and community service providers, community groups, and organizations.News stories in both print and broadcast media.For a grass roots initiative or community-based organization, that means conveying the true nature of your organization, the issues it deals with, and its accomplishments to the community.Ĭommunication can take many forms, including: What do we mean by communication?Ĭommunication is the process of transmitting ideas and information. This section looks at what a communication plan entails, how and when to create one, and how to use a communication plan to raise awareness about your issue or project. A plan can also influence the efficiency and simplicity of your communication methods. Learn how to develop a plan for communication to raise awareness about community issues and your organization's accomplishments.ĭeveloping a communication plan can help focus your message and reach your target audience.
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