--- layout: default_v3 language: default permalink: business-strategy/strategic-communications-plan.html i18n_link: 3018 updated: 2023-01-11 #--- article key-values ---# collection: default_topiccluster t_keyword: Strategic Communications Plan tags: strategic communications plan, business strategy, communications plan, business communications, planning for business type: supporting page_id: 3018 hreflang_id: 3018 parent_id: 2930 date_published: 2021-02-18 date_modified: 2023-01-11 #--- javascript schema ---# javascript_schema: - script: jquery_3_2_0_min - script: bootstrap_min - script: article_infinite_scroll - script: article_mix_infinitescroll - script: article_mix - script: article_mix_faq - script: article_mix_toc #--- section schema ---# section_schema: - section: nav-main_menu - section: article_body_v2 - section: footer - section: schedule_demo_cta #--- page key-values ---# meta_tags: t_meta_title: How to Make a Strategic Communications Plan in 3 Steps t_meta_description: A strategic communications plan is an excellent tool for increasing bottom line profitability and overall business success. t_meta_abstract: A strategic communications plan is an excellent tool for increasing bottom line profitability and overall business success. i_meta_image: article_body: json-ld_article: v_date_published: 2021-02-18 v_date_modified: 2023-01-11 author: p_author_id: 203 t_author: Priyanka Bhadani p_author_url: priyanka-bhadani.html i_author: 203.png t_author_description: Mary Kate Morrow is a writer, editor, and social media professional currently employed as a Digital Content Writer at Altametrics. She previously graduated with both a Bachelors degree in English Language and Literature and a Bachelors degree in Gender Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. p_author_facebook: //www.facebook.com/HubWorksApp p_author_twitter: https://twitter.com/HubworksApp p_author_linkedin: p_author_instagram: feature_snippet: p_type: text t_title: t_description: content: heading: t_title: How to Make a Strategic Communications Plan in 3 Steps t_description: A strategic communications plan is an excellent tool for increasing bottom line profitability and overall business success. image: i_image: how-to-make-a-strategic-communications-plan-in-3-steps-1613604063-8367.png t_image_description: Strategic communications plan v_image_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/hand-united-together-people-unity-1917895/ v_image_license: Creative Commons Zero v_video: paragraphs: - t_headline: 3 Steps to Developing a Strategic Communications Plan t_text: A strategic communications plan helps businesses make sure their marketing and communication strategy is in alignment with business goals. Additionally, a strategic communications plan supplies team members with guidance throughout the entire process.

Even public relations and social media experts may struggle to develop a strategic communications plan. Thankfully there are best practices and steps to assist with communications planning efforts.

3 steps to develop a strategic communications plan include- p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: t_description: v_attribution: v_license: video: v_video: q7wXnPxM-dY v_video_language: default t_name: Introduction to Strategic Communication Planning t_description: SPRC Director of Grantee and State Initiatives Kerri Nickerson discusses the importance of strategic communication planning and walks through the key components of successful communication materials. Use this accompanying worksheet to develop your communication plan- //go.edc.org/Develop v_url: //youtu.be/q7wXnPxM-dY i_thumbnail: //i.ytimg.com/vi/q7wXnPxM-dY/default.jpg i_thumbnail_1x1: //i.ytimg.com/vi/q7wXnPxM-dY/default.jpg i_thumbnail_4x3: //i.ytimg.com/vi/q7wXnPxM-dY/mqdefault.jpg i_thumbnail_16x9: //i.ytimg.com/vi/q7wXnPxM-dY/sddefault.jpg v_upload_date: 1-18-2019 v_length_minutes: 5 v_length_seconds: 47 v_view_count: 1354 callout_text: - t_headline: 1. Communication t_text: Proper communication is crucial for achieving business goals. Unsurprisingly, communication is a major component throughout the communications planning process.

Staff members must make sure that both marketing and communication plans are in alignment with high level business objectives. Additionally, the target audience should be identified during this step of the strategic communications planning process.

Key messages are crucial for public relations campaign success. Key messages are defined as the core messages a business wants its target audience to understand and retain.

Any communication plan that fails to deliver key messages to target audience members will not be successful. Best practices for better understanding a target audience include modeling different ways to communicate key messages and buyer persona creation.

Strategic communications planning teams must make sure to gain a better understanding of both key stakeholders and target audience members. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 1-communication-1613604064-1864.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/people-group-friends-fist-bump-2569234/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/people-group-friends-fist-bump-2569234/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_title: Remember- t_text: Strategic communications planning teams must make sure that both key stakeholders and target audience members are considered during communication strategy formulation. - t_headline: 2. Designation t_text: Human capital is the most invaluable asset and resources that a business possesses. During strategic communications planning initiatives it is absolutely essential that team members are qualified and experienced.

A designated communications director is responsible for both leading and coordinating the entire strategic plan team. As such, the communications director must make sure they completely understand their role as well as the roles of other team members.

To help team members better understand their responsibilities during the strategic communications plan a communications director may recommend case studies in addition to other research. Once an outstanding communication plan director is selected, tasks and responsibilities can be delegated.

The tasks that strategic communications plan team members are assigned are largely dependent on the strategic communications plan itself. For example, while one business may have a social media campaign planned, another may supply program webinars.

The strategic communications plan team must also optimize internal communication interactions. Internal communication interactions can range from strategic communication team meetings to more casual social media interactions between coworkers.

Generally, a communication plan will be established for the upcoming six months. Some businesses may choose to define communication plan duties for the entire upcoming year.

However, it is important to note that no matter how excellent strategic communications plan designation is, without proper resource allocation it is wasted. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 2-designation-1613604064-5150.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/team-friendship-group-hands-4529717/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/team-friendship-group-hands-4529717/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_headline: 3. Allocation t_text: After the designation step is completed resource allocation must be considered. Best practices for proper resource allocation include the analysis of both strategic communications plan case studies and financial statements.

Businesses must make sure they can afford their strategic communications plan before implementing it. Beginning strategic communications planning without enough resources available can be devastating to a business's bottom line.

Key stakeholders will likely have a lot of input about the strategic communications plan. Communications directors should make sure to request feedback from key stakeholders and team members.

It is also helpful to consider different ways that the strategic communications plan can be executed. Strategic communications planning team members often discover different ways to complete the same tasks but for much less money.

For example, a business may decide to use an internal public relations or social media employee instead of hiring a third party consultant. Different techniques that strategic communications planning team members explore may even save the company on another resource- time.

The communication strategy must make sure that a timeline is maintained. Not only can a timeline be utilized to provide key stakeholders with progress updates but it also encourages team member accountability.

Additionally, a timeline will avoid the strategic communications plan team members from engaging in duplicative tasks accidentally. As a result of proper resource allocation, a business can save employee time and costs. p_headline_type: h3 image: i_image: 3-allocation-1613604064-7064.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/team-spirit-cohesion-together-2447163/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/team-spirit-cohesion-together-2447163/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: - t_title: Important- t_text: The strategic communications plan director must make sure to request feedback from both key stakeholders and team members. - t_headline: Key Takeaways t_text: p_headline_type: h2 image: i_image: key-takeaways-1613604064-8226.png t_description: //pixabay.com/photos/paper-business-finance-document-3213924/ v_attribution: //pixabay.com/photos/paper-business-finance-document-3213924/ v_license: Creative Commons Zero callout_text: event_body: json-ld_event: t_name: Employee Scheduling for Restaurant Managers t_description: Attendees will learn how create excellent schedules. The class teaches managers how to estimate the number of employees they need to staff their locations; how to accurately forecast their customer demand; how to quickly and accuaratly write and communicate schedules to employees; and how to evaluate the accuracy and optimization of their schedules to make adjustments. v_start_date: 2022-08-08 i_image: p_location_name: Altametrics Online Webinar Course p_address: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics v_price: 10.00 t_offer_description: Priority Registration v_registration_url: webinar.hubworks.com?site=altametrics ---