How can you craft a clear and concise message for community outreach?

Unfortunately this is the wrong place to start. When planning for strategic messages I was taught to always start with what your organisation mission is first , then identifying what your goals are and what are the challenges you are facing in achieving these. Once you have identified these then you can identify key target groups you want to engage to meet your goals and objectives. Starting with the target group without first understanding what is it you want to achieve and your goals is like approaching a target without a starting point. Identifying these will sharpen your messages and ensure they are aligned to your goals.

Define the purpose of your community outreach by establishing clear objectives aligned with your mission. Whether it's raising awareness, building trust, or inspiring action, having specific goals is crucial. Develop a compelling value proposition outlining how your outreach benefits the community. This proposition should address solving problems, meeting needs, or creating opportunities. By articulating your objectives and value proposition, you not only provide clarity to your efforts but also resonate with your audience, fostering meaningful connections and engagement in line with your organizational vision.

I would add an additional step here. It’s important first to identify the message but then you need to go further into the creative aspect of how do you design an attractive campaign that encompasses your message. What is the 1 liner you would use ? What is the feeling you want the user to experience ? How do you want your campaign to be remembered ? Are there visuals you want to associate with your messages?

Try the 4 C's Clarity: Use simple language, avoid jargon, and focus on one key benefit. Conciseness: Keep it short and to the point. Aim for maximum impact in minimal words. Community Focus: Highlight how your initiative benefits the community directly. Address their needs and values. CTA: Tell them what you want them to do next, whether it's attending an event, signing up, or providing feedback.

Don't forget a critical component to messaging: Readability. Most people cannot hold more than 3 ideas at a time, and usually only 1 if they are distracted. Know your audience's literacy rate - right now (2/20/2024) 54% of the US adult population reads Below a 5th grade level. Additionally, don't forget your "Call to Action" - what do you want the audience to walk away with? what do you want them to do?