How to make an announcement
- Do your planning
Your goal: What are you trying to achieve with this announcement? Are you trying to spark the interest of the business or civic community? Do you want potential donors to take notice of your announcement? Are you trying to raise money as a result of this announcement? Be specific.
Your audience: Who, specifically, are you appealing to, and who do you want to take notice? Be as specific as possible. Include information such as age, gender, geographic considerations, etc.
Your timing: Is this announcement dependent on the timing of an event or other factor?
Your budget: Although important, don’t let budget be your only factor in choosing how to make your announcement. Free isn’t good if you don’t achieve your goal.
Your message: Make sure your announcement answers the who/what/when/where/why/how questions your audience wants to know and is written in a tone that your audience will connect with.
Your medium: Just as there are many different kinds of announcements, there are many different mediums to deliver them. You can choose from print or electronic media, internal (Audience pages, Provost's blog, UMatters, UMKC Calendar, USucceed) or external media (press release), paid or unpaid, traditional media vs. non-traditional (e.g., social networking) and a host of other options. Ideally, your announcement will encompass several mediums and incorporate an integrated approach so your audience can easily access your message.
- Contact us
Whether you are looking for assistance in renovating or starting from scratch, we can help. Search the University Communication Team list and contact your project manager to set up a meeting to discuss your project.
- Bring your materials and ideas to the meeting
In general, the more information we have at the beginning of the project, the easier it will be to determine a path and execute a plan for your announcement.