Shout it out! Use your internal communication team to accomplish your program goals

Shout it out! Use your internal communication team to accomplish your program goals

Michele Gurrieri + Kris Baxter-GingCity of Tempe Community Relations

Who are the experts?You are the experts at Housing Services.You provide life-saving services. You are cheerleaders for your clients when, often, no one else understands.

You provide direction to food, shelter, clothing, water, job training, education and more.

Often, few people, other than those you help, know or appreciate what you do.

Who are the experts?Your Communications Team members are experts at helping people learn and understand your programs.

They talk to media every day. They plan special events. They design brochures, programs.They produce videos and provide professional photography.

They work with councilmembers, mayors and business dignitaries.They write speeches and proclamations.

They tell the world your best stories and spread needed information. In short, they are professional big mouths.

Communication Strategy

Meet with your Communication Team member to create a map to awareness for your programs. Here are some things to think about:

What do you want to accomplish? Examples: Do you want more people to know about the programs you have available? Do you want more donors? More clients in Family Self-Sufficiency?Do you want people to know your Wait List is Open?Do you need people to be able to find resources online more easily?

Other questions:What communication tools will work best? What budget do you have? Are there things you can do at no cost? Who are your advocates? Who do you want to reach?

A strategy that combines your expertise and communications expertise will result in really positive outcomes.

What do you want people to know? Your city cares about its less fortunate Your programs help people who need it What your programs are, what they doYour programs save people money and improve the communityCan you help? Do you need help?

Messaging

Methods: MediaEventsPostersWebsiteNewslettersSocial MediaWord of Mouth Elected Officials Churches, CharitiesNeighborhood HOAsCommunity groups (Kiwanis, Rotary, VFW)

Getting the Word Out

What is News?NewTimelyDifferentAffects a NeighborhoodWorth Substantial Money

Examples: New ProgramRare Opportunity to Sign-up Amazing Personal Success Story Purchasing a Building for Low-Income or Homeless A New Way of Doing Things That Saves Substantial Money

Your Communications Team member can help the person selected to talk to the media with speaking points and helpful hints on how to make the most of the opportunity.

EventsGreat opportunities to spread the word about your programs

Your Communications Team can help you with: Themes and Art Programs and Invitations Writing, Speeches and ProclamationsCoordination of DignitariesDcor and GiveawaysPhotography and VideographySocial MediaNews Media

Community Groups, Charities

Kiwanis Clubs, Rotary meetingsChamber of Commerce CharitiesChurchesHOAs

Get yourself invited to these meetings every so often to spread the word about your services and needs. They can help you attract clients and get donations

Your communication team can write speeches and create presentations (like this one) with you.

Great Brochures & Campaigns

Purpose One topicBudget AudienceDesign WritingArtDistributionE-version or Printed?

Design BasicsIf you dont have a graphic designer, remember these helpful tips:Keep it simple and cleanBe consistent with the look and feel of all your collateral piecesStick with one fontChoose a color paletteDont pull photos and logos from the Internet (usage rights and quality issues)Use the highest resolution art you canDont use all caps or all bold type

WebsiteDepending on what your community allows:Your communications team can help you create a logical structure so people can find what they needHelp you write and editFind photos and videos to postMake sure it looks good and follows design guidelines

VideoCan be a great way to show people effectiveness of your programs EmotionalHow To Informational Motivational

This Housing success story video can be found at: http://youtu.be/G_nNMfXBef4

Social MediaDo you have rights to post? Your communications team can: Help you draft messages for Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts for campaignsHelp you respond to requests for helpHelp you monitor what people are posting about your servicesHelp you promote your programsGain followers and friends to hear your messages

What else? Michele_Gurrieri@tempe.govKris_Baxter@tempe.gov City of Tempe Community Relations480 350-4311www.facebook.com/cityoftempewww.Twitter.com/tempegov www.youtube.com/tempe11video www.tempe.gov/housing