What is key messaging?
Key messaging refers to a set of core messages that succinctly and effectively communicate an organisation's most important values, objectives, and propositions. These messages are crafted to resonate with the intended audience, ensuring consistency across all communications and helping to shape the organisation's narrative.
Why is key messaging relevant to internal comms?
Key messaging is crucial for internal communications as it ensures that all employees, regardless of their role or level, understand and can articulate the organisation's core values and objectives. This alignment is essential for maintaining a cohesive corporate identity and driving collective action towards common goals.
Examples of key messaging in internal comms
An example of key messaging in action could be the use of consistent language and themes in all internal newsletters, meetings, and presentations that reflect the organisation's strategic goals. Another instance might be the development of an internal communications toolkit that includes key phrases, stories, and examples to be used by all staff when discussing the organisation and its mission.
Best practices for key messaging
To develop effective key messaging, organisations should:
Clearly define their mission, vision, and values.
Understand their audience and tailor messages to meet their needs and perspectives.
Ensure messages are clear, concise, and memorable.
Regularly review and update key messages to reflect changes in strategy or external conditions.
Common challenges for key messaging
Ensuring consistency in messaging across different departments and levels.
Keeping messages relevant and engaging for diverse internal audiences.
Balancing the need for a unified message with the flexibility to adapt to specific contexts.
What does key messaging mean for frontline teams?
For frontline teams, clear and consistent key messaging is vital for ensuring that they are well-informed and aligned with the organisation's goals. This is especially important in customer-facing roles, where employees need to communicate effectively with the public, embodying the organisation's values and objectives.
Key messaging FAQs
How do you develop key messaging?
Developing key messaging involves identifying your core values, understanding your audience, and crafting clear, concise messages that resonate with that audience.
Why is key messaging important in internal communications?
Key messaging is important because it ensures consistency, clarity, and alignment in communications across the organisation, reinforcing the corporate identity and objectives.
How often should key messaging be reviewed?
Key messaging should be reviewed regularly, at least annually, or whenever there are significant changes in the organisation's strategy or external environment.
