communication for neighbourhood organizations · what’s your goal? what do you want to...
TRANSCRIPT
Communication for Neighbourhood Organizations
Tips and tricks to help your organization flourish in an ever changing landscape.
Agenda1. Tools
2. Email
a. Email Etiquette
b. Email Marketing Software
3. Social Media
a. Facebook
i. Pages vs. Groups
b. Twitter
4. Websites
GoalTo expand your knowledge of easy, impactful communication methods that will
benefit your organization.
ToolsGoogle Drive
Great for collaborative work
You can edit even without a gmail account
Canva
User friendly, free, design tool
Easy, drag-and-drop
Benefits of email:
Easy and affordable
Well known
Variety of options
Email Etiquette Have a clear subject line.
Increases the chance that your email will be read
Don’t forget your signature.
Adds credibility
Easy for people to respond
Email EtiquetteAvoid humour / sarcasm.
Often misinterpreted
Proofread.
You are judged by your emails
Avoid abbreviations (e.g. LOL, ‘u’) or excess exclamation points
Email Etiquette Reply to all emails.
Or set away message
Never email angry.
Create a draft to read later.
Be sensitive with confidential information.
Call if necessary / possible
Utilize BCC and CC appropriately
Email Marketing SoftwareService that sends mass emails to enhance the relationship between the organization and its members. The software is able to easily create newsletters, surveys and invitations to events.
BenefitsCost
Many free services available
No printing or postage costs
Easy, beautiful design
No design experience required
Free stock photo options
BenefitsInsights / Analytics
Valuable information
Convenience
Automated emails
Test previews available
Integration with Social Media Channels
DisadvantagesSpam
Possibility of entering spam folder
Time
More time up front
Cost
More services, for more money
DesignBe concise.
Proofread.
Use graphics (but be careful)
TimingDo what works for you!
Once every 2 weeks, once a month
Avoid more than once a week
But be consistent.
Analytics allow you to see what works best
OptionsMailChimp
Free up to 2,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails/month
Double opt-in
AWeber
Free up to 500 subscribers
Sendinblue
Free for unlimited amount of subscribers, 9,000/month
Constant Contact & Campaigner - Good paid options.
Social MediaPros:
Free with wide reach
Cons:
Time consuming
Facebook - Pages vs. GroupsPages
Personal profile for businesses, public figures, organizations
Authentic representation of who you are
Pages are verified
Groups
Place for like-minded communication
Share common interests in a safe forum
Facebook PagesAdvantages
Built in Analytics
Ability to advertise
Easier to update
Content stands out
Customization abilities (e.g. URL, banner)
Disadvantages
Takes longer to promote
Everything in the open, needs monitoring
Facebook GroupsAdvantages:
More visible in the newsfeed
More community feel
Easy communication
Disadvantages
Require heavy moderation
Difficult for people to find
Less customizations
Facebook Takeaways
Consider privacy issues with Groups
Pages and Groups are different, treat accordingly.
Time consuming, but requires attention.
TwitterPros:
Free
Ability to reach wide audience
Quick
Cons:
Message can easily get lost
Time consuming
Privacy
WebsitesBest Free Options:
Wix
Weebly
Webflow
Wordpress
Best Paid Options:
Squarespace
Website Recommendations
How will your website function?
Who are you communicating to?
Create a timeline for updates
Don’t neglect its importance
PostersDo:
Have a consistent font palette
Use sans serif fonts
Use white (negative) space
Proofread
Keep it simple
Keep legibility and readability of top importance
PostersDon’t:
Use Wordart
Use clashing colours
Use ALL CAPITAL LETTERS
Use Microsoft Word*
Print NewslettersPros:
Attention grabbing
Have higher influence than e-newsletters
Inclusive
Cons:
Time and effort
Print / Postage costs
Content Requirements
Print Newsletter Tools
Many free Microsoft Word templates online
Lucidpress (through Google Chrome)
Scribus
Adobe InDesign
Your Committee
Have a planWhat’s your goal?
What do you want to accomplish?
Who are you trying to reach? Who is your audience?
What tools do you need to reach your goal?
What is the deadline for your goal?
Afterwards, how successful were you at reaching your goal?
How can you improve next time?
Feedback and evaluation is key to the success of your communication plan.
Take Away Messages
Have a plan.
Know your audience.
Keep it simple.
Proofread.
Resourceswww.canva.com
www.pinterest.com
www.hootsuite.com/education
https://unsplash.com/ (stock photos)
https://pixlr.com/ (free web-based photo editing software)
http://recitethis.com/ (makes quotes look fun and appealing)
http://www.autreplanete.com/ap-social-media-image-maker/ (image specs for SM and easy resizing options, optimize image dimensions)