Top tips
• Keep it simple. Your communications plan doesn’t need to be pages long – just clearly presented and easy to understand.
• Make it focused. Don’t try to do everything, be realistic about what’s achievable.
• Know as much as you can about your target audiences before you begin.
• Review. Look at similar communication activities within the Aimhigher network – what can you use or repeat? What worked well and what could be improved?
• Hold a brainstorming session. Talk with colleagues to trawl for fresh ideas and approaches.
• Think outside the box. Remember that external factors may have a bearing or influence on your plan e.g. term times, seasonal events or legal factors.
• Be prepared to be flexible. Update your plan as you go along, making the most of experience and opportunities as they arise.
• Keep your eyes open. Look for opportunities for working with external organisations or partners who may be targeting the same groups as you.
• Feedback. Ask Aimhigher colleagues for feedback on your plan – they may have useful suggestions to make.
• Conduct a SWOT analysis to ascertain which external factors might impact on your communications activities – click on the link below to download a SWOT template.
