Step 1
Select a topic for your informative or persuasive strategic communications plan from the options below:
Internal Promotion
New Job Opportunity Interview
Pitching a Project Idea
Mini TED Talk
Topic of Your Choice Approved by Your Professor
Step 2
All options above must include the following in your plan, as detailed in the Outline Template [DOCX]:
Challenge or Opportunity (Focus):
What is your challenge or opportunity?
Why does your business/idea need to exist? What problem does it solve for your job, customers, or audience?
Why is this professionally important or relevant to you?
Goal (Focus):
What goals or outcomes do you want to achieve with this communication?
Explain why the goal is clear, concise, and actionable.
Audience Analysis:
Who is your target audience?
What demographic characteristics will the audience/customer comprise?
What is your relationship to the audience/customer?
What background knowledge and expertise does the audience/customer have?
What does the audience/customer know, feel about, and expect concerning this communication?
What preconceptions or biases do you possess that might prevent you from building rapport with your audience/customer?
Who are your competitors and who will your audience/customer also consider?
What information is available about your audience/customer?
What research or sources will you use to obtain information about the audience/customer?
What conclusions have you been able to draw about the audience/customer?
What tone will you use to convey your message?
Is the setting casual or formal?
Is the communication personal or impersonal?
Key Message:
What is the primary message you must convey to your audience?
Is the message compelling and memorable? Why?
Is the message clear and concise? Why?
Is the message aligned with your audience’s goals and needs? How?
Style and Channel Selection:
What communication style will you employ tell (inform), sell (persuade), consult (gather information or learn from your audience), or join (collaborate with members of the audience) and why?
What channels will you use to deliver your message, and why will they be the most effective?
What purpose is served by each style and channel you have selected?
Supporting Points and Sources:
What three or four points, reasons, or justifications support your message?
What stories, data, and visuals will you use to make your points?
What research or sources will you use to obtain facts and data about your message?
What five sources will you use to back up your ideas?
Action Request:
What actions are taken as part of the solution?
What positive outcomes are the result of the action?
Is the action request you are making to your audience clear, concise, and easily actionable? Why?