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4 Reasons Why You Need A Communications Plan

A communications plan is a written strategy of communications actions designed to achieve certain organisational goals or business objectives. Communications planning can be short-term or long-term, and can be used for a variety of projects and campaigns, both internally and externally.

Benefits of a communications plan

Successful business communications require strategic planning and execution. You want your message to be heard by the right people, at the right time, and in the right context.

Failure to plan your communications effectively can also have serious reputational implications for your business. It can take a long time to build a great business reputation, but just a second for it to all go up in flames. More often than not, this is the result of poor communications planning.
 
Communications planning condenses a lot of information into a palatable format that’s easy to read, straightforward to roll out, and most importantly, understandable by your audience.

Here are four reasons why you need a communications plan:

 

  1. For positive public relations and reputation management

Communications planning assists to increase positive awareness of your business and works to boost your credibility with your publics. Strategic communications help to ensure that any messages coming from your organisation are consistent across all communications channels and are being received appropriately by your different target audiences.

 
And in business, consistency = credibility. Credibility = trust. And, trust is what’s at the height of a good reputation.

 

  1. To manage crises
A ‘crisis’ is often defined by public perception therefore if a crisis arises for your business, carefully crafted communications planning is essential. A crisis a plan not only helps you to manage the public perception and expectations of your organisation, but it also helps you to be the ‘eye of the storm’ and stay cool and calm under (sometimes intense) public/media scrutiny.
 
Remember, a rushed and sloppy communications response never saw a great outcome for any business.

 

  1. To build community relations and be responsive to stakeholders 
Engaging with your community and including your stakeholders is important to any business, especially when you need your ‘finger on the pulse’ to make informed decisions for your organisation. By planning your communications accordingly, you will open up a dialogue between you and your stakeholders, and build a real sense of trust and respect.
 
You want your community to work with you, and not against you.

 

  1. To support your business objectives
Planning your communications also helps you to prioritise your budget, identify your resourcing needs, structure your timelines, and then tailor your methods to suit. All businesses have goals and objectives to achieve, budgets to meet, and people to please. Communications planning supports your business objectives by creating a favourable environment for the business to operate.   
 

Get planning today!


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