1

Welcome!

Making Sure You Aren't Alone in Communications

To hear the audio, please call the conference call line: Call in: 866-740-1260

Access code: 6193295#To mute: *6

To un-mute: *7

For technical assistance:800.843.9166

help@readytalk.com http://www.readytalk.com/support

Making Sure You Aren't Alone in Communications

North Carolina Network of Grantmakers

3

Communications Grantee Training Initiative

Making Sure You Aren't Alone in Communications

Presenter:

Mike WarnerVice PresidentGYMR Public Relations

4

Communications Grantee Training Initiative

Making Sure You Aren't Alone in Communications

Presenter:

Virginia BaderSenior Vice PresidentGYMR Public Relations

The Basics (Again)

Mission

Goal

Strategy

Messages

Tactics

Which comes first - the chicken or the egg?

Two Step Approach: Internal Communications

First, improve communications to internal audiences.

Then, use internal spokespeople for external communications.

?

Who are your internal audiences?

Keep them close!

Board of Directors Funders Leadership Department or program leads Volunteers All staff

?

Step 1: Improve Internal Communications

Example:

Tips for Better Internal Communications

Instead of this …

Send out a compilation of relevant news coverage.

Try this …

Send out the most important story along with a brief analysis of news coverage and a reminder of your organization’s position and messages.

Tips for Better Internal Communications

Instead of this …

Present your communications plan at a staff meeting.

Try this …

Incorporate colleagues at all levels in the planning process and have them present with you.

Tips for Better Internal Communications

Instead of this …

Have your colleagues keep you updated on what they have going on that could help you (and hope they stick to it).

Try this …

Set up a communications calendar using Google Docs and have your colleagues help you keep it current.

Tips for Better Internal Communications

Instead of this …

Send your board a “thud book” of all the media coverage you have received or events you did that year.

Try this …

Send a graphically interesting summary with a topline overview of what your goals were and how you met them.

Tips for Better Internal Communications

Instead of this …

Nag staff to find you stories to use in communications materials and outreach.

Try this …

Make communications fun: Start a competition between departments or interview staff members and use those stories as examples.

Tips for Better Internal Communications

Instead of this …

Use email, text, smoke signals.

Try this …

Talk to people. Use the phone or (gasp!) perhaps meet in person. There is no substitute for this type of interaction to get buy in.

Step 2: Communicate Through Your Internal Audiences

Example:

5 Tips For Cultivating Internal Spokespeople:

1. Get to know your potential spokespeople.

5 Tips For Cultivating Internal Spokespeople:

2. Define roles and expertise.

5 Tips For Cultivating Internal Spokespeople:

3. Have core messages and make sure your spokespeople know how to use them.

5 Tips For Cultivating Internal Spokespeople:

4. Formalize the process.

5 Tips For Cultivating Internal Spokespeople:

5. Keep things current.

Questions?

Thank You

Reminder: The entire webinar series is archived at

www.ncgrantmakers.org.