It may sound like a cliché, but communication is the most important aspect of any healthy relationship – personal and business. In my last blog, “Why is a “Business Communication Strategy” essential for your brand?” I share with you the basics of communication and why every business needs a strategy. Today, I want to help you start preparing for building a successful communication strategy and giving you some seeds for thought.
It is important to use verbal and non-verbal communication in ways that avoid misinterpretation. For example, the use of humour can be a great way to build bridges, establish rapport, and resolve minor conflicts. However, if the other person is not in the mood to laugh (or just doesn’t share your sense of humour), your wit may have the opposite effect to the one you intended. So,we all know theory is all well and good but you need to be able to apply it in the ‘real world’ and make it a part of your business strategy…
Preparing to Be Strategic
Before jumping in and creating a strategy, however, you should be clear on the following:
- The need for a realistic commitment to social media (time, personnel, budget).
- The value your business can offer through social media channels.
- What your business wants to get back from its social media engagement, such as brand awareness, sales, members, volunteers, specific project goals, or something else.
Implementing a communciations strategy is helped or hindered by your existing assets:
- brand messaging,
- amount of staff time,
- size of your mailing list,
- freshness of website,
- ease of website revisions,
- content management system, and
- size of budget for social media efforts.
Spend the time to consider your existing assets and what may need to be built before you create a strategy. These are your starting points, and will likely be refined throughout the strategic development process.
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This blog is published by POMO – a creative agency specialising in customer engagement based in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia.