Communicate
Effective communication throughout each step in your journey to create a healthy and equitable community is essential for your efforts to be successful. What you say, how you say it, and to whom can motivate the right people to take the right action at the right time. How will you get your most important messages to the people who influence your work?
Purpose
The purpose of this step is to develop strategic messages and deliver those messages effectively. The guidance here will answer questions like:
- How can we use the County Health Rankings as a communication tool?
- How do we develop a communications strategy or plan?
- Are we listening to the people most directly impacted by health inequities?
- Who needs to hear our messages?
- How do we create compelling messages that inspire action?
- How should we deliver our messages? Who is the best messenger?
- How do we know if we’ve developed effective messages?
Our Top Tools
These are our favorite tools for this step. You can find additional relevant tools in each key activity as well.
- Decision-Maker Analysis Working Partnerships USA & Community Catalyst
- Digital S.M.A.R.T.S.: A guide for nonprofits Spitfire Strategies
- Media Advocacy M+R
- Smart Chart 4.0 Spitfire Strategies
Shortcut
Looking for a quick primer on this step? Take this 2-page Shortcut with you to share with your partners. Use it to discuss where you are in your work and what challenges you face.