One of the most important parts of communication is the first and overall impression you give to your members, the public and other organisations. Ultimately positive impressions rely on gaining and maintaining respect for your role through a good appearance, a professional attitude and effective communication skills that help build strong relationships.
Considerations for Effective Communication
Ensure the use of different communication approaches and types of language for different audiences and situations. When developing a communication plan, calendar and individual communication pieces for various members and non-member audience groups, it is recommended to clarify the following areas.
- Who
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Audience of the communication:
- Demographics and communication preferences
- Internal or external audience
- Level of formality and relationship with the audience
- Language skills and audience size
- Why
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Reason for the communication:
- Key messages and urgency
- Required actions and future considerations
- What
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What we are going to communicate:
- Content and simplicity
- Official information and duplication
- How
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The best form of the communication:
- Target audience preferences and adaptation
- Communication methods and channels
- Balance of communication elements and opt-out options
- When
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The best time to communicate:
- Timing and conflicting communications
- Urgency and follow-up
- Where
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Where to communicate:
- In-person, online, or blended communication
- Best in-person location and facilities
- Travel distance for in-person information