What are the key elements of an inclusive communications strategy for your nonprofit?

2 Define your goals and objectives

The next step is to define what you want to achieve with your communications strategy and how you will measure your success. You need to set clear and specific goals and objectives that align with your mission, vision, and values, as well as with your audience's needs and interests. For example, your goals could be to raise awareness, increase engagement, generate donations, recruit volunteers, or advocate for change. Your objectives could be to reach a certain number of people, increase your social media followers, grow your email list, or improve your conversion rates. You also need to establish indicators and methods to track and evaluate your progress and impact.

3 Develop your key messages and stories

The third step is to develop your key messages and stories that convey your purpose, impact, and value proposition to your audience. You need to craft compelling and consistent messages and stories that highlight your nonprofit's unique identity, goals, achievements, and challenges. You also need to ensure that your messages and stories are inclusive and respectful of the diversity and dignity of your audience and the people you serve. You can do this by using inclusive language, avoiding jargon or slang, acknowledging different perspectives and experiences, and featuring diverse voices and images.

4 Choose your communication channels and tools

The fourth step is to choose the most appropriate and effective communication channels and tools to reach and engage your audience. You need to consider the preferences, habits, and accessibility of your audience when selecting the best platforms and formats for your messages and stories. For example, you might use social media, email, website, blog, podcast, video, newsletter, or report. You also need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each channel and tool in terms of reach, cost, frequency, quality, and feedback. You also need to ensure that your communication channels and tools are accessible and user-friendly for people with different abilities and needs.

5 Implement and monitor your strategy

The fifth step is to implement and monitor your communication strategy according to your plan and budget. You need to assign roles and responsibilities to your team members, create a content calendar and schedule, and follow the best practices and guidelines for each channel and tool. You also need to monitor and analyze your communication performance and impact using the indicators and methods you established. You need to collect and review data and feedback from your audience and stakeholders, such as impressions, views, clicks, shares, comments, ratings, surveys, or testimonials.

6 Adapt and improve your strategy

The final step is to adapt and improve your communication strategy based on your findings and feedback. You need to identify what works and what doesn't, what are the strengths and weaknesses, and what are the opportunities and threats of your strategy. You also need to seek and incorporate input and suggestions from your audience and stakeholders, as well as from experts and peers in your field. You need to make adjustments and improvements to your goals, objectives, messages, stories, channels, tools, or processes as needed. You also need to keep learning and updating your knowledge and skills on inclusive communications best practices and trends.