Communication plan
Developing and Evaluating your Communication Strategy
Communication, communication, communication! Those three words are vital to the success of any livability initiative. Never forget the power of an effective communication plan.
Communication Planning Worksheet.pdfSample Communication Planner
Each story can be adjusted for different audiences and different platforms—from short posts on social media and brief video productions to conference presentations and annual reports. Stories can help you raise funds and engage partners and the community. In order to maximize the use of your stories and to make sure they are contributing to the age-friendly vision and mission, it is important to develop a communication plan.
Developing a communication plan will help you stay on track with consistent messaging about age-friendly. Your communication strategy will help you:
Strengthen commitment to your mission. Develop content that consistently reflects your core age-friendly goals. Think of each social media post, presentation to elected officials, media interview, brief video, and conference presentation as another paragraph in the ongoing story of age-friendly. By telling a consistent story, you will engage multiple audiences and build your case for maintaining and expanding age-friendly.
Support fundraising. Nothing excites funders and donors more than seeing the real-life impact of age-friendly. A consistent communication plan not only encourages future donations but also reassures your funders (including your municipality) that the money is being well-used.
Attract volunteers and engage the community. The content you develop isn’t just another pretty picture, it is meant to be read, discussed, shared, and ignite action. Great content gives people in your community, partners, and others something they want to share with friends, neighbors, and work colleagues.
Build presence. Partnerships and collaborations are critical for age-friendly sustainability. High quality, consistent communication adds to your reputation locally and regionally.
The sample Communication Planner will help you develop a communication plan to guide your team's efforts to tell the story of age-friendly impact.
To get the word out about age-friendly, decide which channel is most appropriate for your audience and your community:
Local newspapers and newsletters
Letters to the editor
The community Facebook page, the city or mayor’s Twitter account (when suitable, use hashtags like #transportation or #housing)
Posters, fliers or brochures placed in locations where the target audience gathers
Community access television
Public service announcements on radio and television
Press releases and news conferences
Presentations to local clubs, fraternal organizations, town committees, etc.
Word of mouth
For more ideas, see the Lifelong Maine Publicity Toolbox
EVALUATING YOUR COMMUNICATION PLAN
Answering these questions about your approach to telling the story of age-friendly will help you evaluate the effectiveness of your communication plan:
Have you developed stories that are engaging?
Is your team telling the story consistently and with passion?
Where and how should you share stories of community impact?
How should your stories be tailored for different audiences (municipal decision-makers, partners, and residents)?
Additional Resources...
Community Toolbox - Media and Advocacy
FRAME Photo Library - Free use photos of older Mainers
Lifelong Maine Publicity Toolbox - Examples from Maine's Lifelong Communities--from Letters to the Editor to refrigerator magnet designs