I often work with clients who tell me they really want to work from a comms strategy but they don’t have time to write it. Because I am not (usually) involved in the day-to-day delivery of communications at their organisation, I have the time and space to do the strategic thinking. I can take a step back and look at …
How to identify your key messages
Key messages can be tricky to get right. This is especially true if you are close to the subject matter and know all the ins and outs by heart. Or if you are producing communications for a project manager who wants to cover all bases. But it is vital for effective communication that you find a way to get the …
A simple technique for finding purpose
Powerful, effective communication has a clear, meaningful purpose. If you don’t know why you are doing something, you can face a lot of unnecessary problems. And/or it can take much longer to reach your desired end point. Without a clear purpose for your communication you may: Send out mixed messages – causing confusion, inaction and maybe even anger Go off …
3 lessons on audience understanding
This tweet from Natasha Roe at Red Pencil (shown below) about remembering your audience when you are communicating really struck a chord with me: Good cautionary tale not to make assumptions about your audiences from @SarahatSelf #CIMevents Reminds me of @bernardrossmc exercise to tap yourself on the shoulder and repeat *I am not the audience*🙃 — Natasha Roe (@RedPencil_) September …
It’s all in the timing
There are many areas of life where timing is all important. Communication is one of them. This is something that anyone who has ever had to talk to their boss about a difficult project knows very well. Or if you’ve had to persuade a 2-year-old to put their socks on! Cycles of work Working in academic environments has particularly taught …