# Communication Basics
Defining Communication: “Communication is the act of transferring information from place to another.”
Our websites are a crucial tool for digital communication. Effective digital communication relies on core communication principles.
Websites are often the first commuication we have with our community. Messages that are poorly written, contain grammatical or punctuation errors, or that simply fail to communicate the required information leave our audience wondering about our skills or professionalism. Website editors are expected to take the information they receive and communicate it effectively, no matter its source.
# The Five W's: Who, What, When, Where, Why
Before you sit down to write something, you should be asking yourself…
# Who...
- is the audience?
- needs to attend this event?
- needs to approve this message before I send it?
# What...
- does the audience need to know?
- will they take away from the message?
# When...
- is the deadline?
- is the event taking place?
- should the message be sent?
- the best time of day for e-mail is in the morning.
- most social media users are active in the evening; lunchtime is a close second.
# Where...
- can they find this or related information?
- is the event taking place?
# Why...
- are is this message important?
- should the reader attend?
# Inverted Pyramid
The inverted pyramid style of writing or teaching, and includes putting big ideas at the top and details at the bottom. When comunicating something to your audience, put the most important ideas on top usually in the title or the overview of your communication.
# Platforms
There are many communication platforms at your disposal. Consider your audience, and what you know about them before deciding on which platform(s) you will use to communicate. Many things belong on your website, but not everything. Here are a few other platforms to consider.
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
- School website calendars, announcements, or features
- Email or text communication
# Communicating on Multiple Platforms and Multiple Times
- Sometimes our audience has to hear something multiple times before remembering it.
- Don’t bombard your community with messages meant for one narrow audience.
# Writing Guidelines
- Consider your audience and the purpose of communication; is your website appropriate for the type of message you are sending?
- Use plain English. Avoid acronyms.
- Write at an eqitable level. Strive for a 7th-8th grade reading level.
- Don't make readers work to find your message.
- Use an active voice. Speak directly to your audience in a conversational tone.
- Use headings. Break up your content into a title, summary, and details:
- The title should be short and to the point.
- The summary should inform the visitor what the message is about. Be brief.
- The details support your message. Be sure to break up your content with headings if you have sub-topics to convey. Heading levels should follow the progression of detail.