Communication

The way you communicate can mean the difference between success and failure; plain language, avoiding jargon and using acronyms sparingly will mean your opportunity is accessible to many people. Complicated language can feel intimidating and confusing rather than clarify your message, potentially putting people off going any further in the process.

Take time to consider how much information you need to provide. You will always need to write an opportunity description as this is your essential tool to communicate information about your opportunity. 

You may also want to consider the following:

• Is it necessary or helpful to write a role description outlining any skills and experience it requires? Remember, less is more, so keep it short and succinct, although it’s vital to include all relevant information.
• Will you want people to apply for a specific role, or will an informal conversation be sufficient? You may find asking people to complete a simple application form helpful. (Application form: With instructions | Without instructions)
• Where will you be promoting your opportunity? (e.g. via a website, notice board, e-bulletin or social media) You will need to communicate in a slightly different way depending on the route you choose. We recommend using multiple paths and tweaking your communication style to suit this whilst ensuring your message remains the same.
• Whom are you aiming to communicate with? Some methods of communication or wordings will speak to specific audiences better than others. It’s also essential to ensure the opportunity is as accessible as possible; for example, some disabled people will require easy-reads or coloured paper information packs.
• When meeting with people face to face or speaking over the phone, you also need to think about how you are communicating. As well as following the advice above, bear in mind that you need to be responsive and connect with people on a human level. Be yourself, don’t overcomplicate anything and be responsive and understanding.

Tools

Creating a group agreement

If you're asking people to join a one-off focus group or discussion event, a group agreement lets everyone know where they stand and helps to create a safe space for openness and honesty. If you're setting up a regular forum, make sure you have some terms of reference in place to define expectations.

With instructions | Without instructions

Next - Developing your opportunity

Planning menu

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