Service 01
Communications Strategy
When people inside an organization describe its work differently, the message gets muddy. We help you agree on clear messaging and a workable plan before anything goes out the door. Here is what strategy work can include. Every engagement is scoped to what you need.
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Positioning and messaging
Deciding what you stand for and saying it the same way everywhere.
- Core messageWhat you want people to remember, plus the points that back it up.
- PositioningHow you stand apart from peers and competitors.
- Audience versionsThe same message, tuned for each group you need to reach.
- Messaging guideA short reference so everyone says it the same way.
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Communications planning
A workable plan before anything goes out the door.
Gathering details on site before the plan is written. Photo Credit: Robert Fornataro - Goals and audiencesWhat you want to achieve and who you need to reach.
- Channels and timingWhere messages go and when.
- Roles and approvalsWho writes, who reviews and who signs off.
- Measuring progressSimple ways to tell whether it is working.
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Executive and organizational messaging
Helping leaders speak clearly and consistently.
- Speeches and remarksWords written for the speaker and the room.
- Leadership messagesNotes from leaders to staff, members or boards.
- Annual reportsThe year in review, told clearly.
- High-visibility momentsPreparation before the big meeting, speech or announcement.
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Content strategy
Deciding what to publish, where and why.
- Content themesTopics chosen to support your goals.
- Content calendarsWhat goes out, where and when, planned ahead.
- Tone and formatHow you sound, what you post and how often.
- RepurposingOne idea turned into posts, emails and articles.
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Internal and stakeholder communications
Keeping the people closest to you informed and on board.
- Staff and member updatesKeeping staff, members and volunteers informed.
- Board and partner updatesClear, regular reports for the people who back your work.
- Change communicationsExplaining what is changing, why and what comes next.
- NewslettersRegular updates that are easy to read.
Ready to put the plan into action? See Media Relations & Reputation, or see all five areas of practice.
Questions
Common questions
What does a communications strategy engagement include?
It usually starts with conversations about your goals and audiences, then moves to a core message, a messaging guide and a plan for channels and timing. Depending on what you need, it can also cover executive messaging, content strategy and internal communications. Every engagement is scoped to fit.
Do we need a strategy before marketing or media outreach?
Not always, but a short planning step usually saves time. Agreeing on the message and priorities first keeps everything that follows consistent. For a single announcement, that step can be brief.
Can you help with messaging for a leader or board?
Yes. We write speeches, remarks and talking points, messages from leadership to staff, members or boards, and annual reports, and we help leaders prepare for high-visibility moments.
Contact
Start a conversation.
The best first step is a short conversation about what you are trying to accomplish. Email is the fastest way to reach us.
Heather Severt
Founder + Principal
- info@morgantownmarcom.com
- (304) 641-3221
- Morgantown, West Virginia