When it comes to sharing safety information, developing a citizen communication strategy can help you create more effective messaging through the channels your residents use most. Read on for tips to make the most of safety communication opportunities.
Consider your audience—and your time frame
For each safety message you need to share, determine every audience you need to reach and how quickly they need the information. Thinking about every demographic affected by the information will help you send the right message through the right channels at the right time.
For example: While email, phone calls and social media will help you reach adults, children will be much more receptive to information shared through age-appropriate videos or safety giveaways, like colouring books.
Spread awareness socially
More than 80% of adults use at least one form of social media, which makes it ideal for sharing information quickly. And with roughly 70% of adults on Facebook® and YouTube®, choosing one or both of those channels is a smart way to distribute information rapidly—and make it simple for citizens to share with friends and family.
Make videos available
Sharing videos that discuss safety topics offers several advantages compared to text-only messages:
- Video captures attention easily.
- People remember 80% of what they see vs. 20% of what they read.
- Video on Facebook has 135% greater organic reach than photos.
- You can track video views and completion, making it possible to see how much of your information people are consuming—and whether you need to shorten your videos to get your point across more quickly.
Create a landing page
When you need to provide updates on a rapidly changing safety topic, create a central landing page on your website for constituents to check frequently. That will ensure they’re getting the most accurate, up-to-the-minute news.
Reach out through direct mail
Using postcards for citizen communication can help get your message seen. A vast majority of postcard recipients say they read them, and more than half say they are useful—a number that’s certain to be higher when sharing safety information. Or consider sending safety giveaways that are easily mailed, like reflective armbands or helmet stickers.
Keep citizens safe
Find the right communication strategy for every audience to ensure they get the safety information they need, when they need it.
- A safety calendar is a great way to educate the community about different safety topics each month.
- Post Cards will help ensure your information is seen by every citizen.
- Videos and social media posts are easy to share and can help spread information quickly that can be easily understood.
Try one or more of these tips next time you need to share safety messages. You can rest assured that your citizen communication reaches the right constituents when they need it most.