Identifying Effective Communication Strategies for a Particular Audience

Communication is a tool used to convey information. Effective communication strategies vary based on the information being conveyed, the intended audience, the purpose of the communication and the outlined goals after information is delivered.

 

Effective communication strategies, when used strategically, will meet the needs of a variety of people within the intended audience and avoid confusion. That’s why the “how” of communicating is important.

Based on which vehicle is chosen to deliver specific information, a larger set of needs can be met based on the different learning styles of the intended audience.

Working with a training company that specializes in communication can help your organization understand key considerations when formulating communication strategies:

Intended Audience

Who really needs access to this information? What do we want them to know and how soon do we desire to inform this audience? Does our audience include underserved or underrepresented populations? What are the different learning styles in this audience? How will the audience react to this information? Effective communication strategies consider these questions and others as a first step in order to successfully deliver information.

Delivery of Information

There are many vehicles for delivering information. Choosing one or a combination of two, maybe three, is an excellent idea when forming effective communication strategies. Since there are a variety of ways to communicate the same information, boring your audience happens because of poor preparation. Consider open houses, workshops, social media and/or focus groups as potential vehicles for delivery of information. Although there are others, choosing the appropriate ones for your organization is key.

Assessing the Session

Asking your audience for feedback after the delivery of information is a good way to measure success. Where was our strategy strong vs weak? Did we take too much time delivering this information? Did our ratings increase or were there more visits to our website while our communication plan was delivered? Feedback from the intended audience is an important component of understanding effective communication strategies for future events. It will help your organization gauge their effectiveness and pinpoint areas of concern.

There are a number of variables to consider for delivering effective communication. To find the strategy that meets your team’s needs, work with a training company equipped to help your organization navigate the process of effective communication strategies in ways that position your message and your organization for success.