The Power ofEffective Communication

Vanessa Gardner Nagel, APLD, NCIDQ

We are a volunteer organization.

Recognize the value of our members’ time.

It takes time to communicate - writing AND reading.

This OR This?

Communication shapes the world we live in. It affects:

how we relate to each otherhow we achieve successhow we view reality

Communication involves information and it is:

CollectedStoredAnalyzedDisseminated

What will you communicate?How often? When?How many & what type are your information resources?Who is or will be responsible?Where will you store your information and what you disseminate?Why will you communicate?

Formulate clear messagesAvoid passive tense as much as possible:“I thought” versus “I was thinking”…Use spell-check!Stay away from run-on sentences. Consider the Hemingway approach.

Manage communicationDon’t overdo the emails. If it starts to look like a flood, perhaps a phone call could stem the tide.

Construct effective channels

especially your board members and other decision-makers

Maintain awareness of context

Keep in mind how your members feel about the communications they receive

Strive to challenge the intellect, stretch the imagination, and develop the talent of your members

Powerful communication creates connection and gets results. It is assertive and sensitive.

To be consistently understood, use the circle of communication around content, intent & affect.

Listen deeply, speak concretely, read rapidly, and write with confidence.

Create a templateA template is a boilerplate document that prevents you from reinventing the wheel each time.Even if you use emails, rather than an e-newsletter service, you can use a templateKeep in mind the degree of technical know-how; make the program user-friendly

Can come from an ad layout

Must be easy to translate

Sample “Letter from the President”

Your TemplateIs the style compatible with APLD’s branding?Does the style communicate that you are designers?Does the style communicate the degree of professionalism of your message?

*Cute is for birth announcements

Your TemplateKnow how much & what type of information you want to distribute first

More text than photos or reverse?

Is it a newsletter or is it an invitation to an event?How many pages?

Your TemplateKnow how much & what type of information you want to distribute first

More text than photos or reverse?

Is it a newsletter or is it an invitation to an event?Will you need more than one template?

ONLINE TEMPLATE:Available through most of the e-newsletter websites. Customization may vary.

Will your communication: inspire members to attend an APLD event?help make members better designers?encourage members to become APLD members?improve members’ ability to network?increase members’ knowledge of how to promote themselves?

Will your communication: motivate members to become involved as volunteers?assist members to become certified?provide members with business tools to improve their businesses?educate members about legal issues?leave members looking forward to the next copy?

Will your communication:

provoke readers to contribute to the chapter’s coffers?educate the local media about the APLDinspire the public to hire APLD members?Increase the credibility of the landscape design profession?

E-Newsletter WebsitesAweber.comBenchmarkEmail.comCampaigner.comConstantContact.comGraphicmail.comIcontact.comInternetMailManager.comLetterpop.comMailbuild.comMailchimp.com

E-Newsletter WebsitesMailDogManager.com Myemma.comMyNewsletterBuilder.comNewsberry.comNewsletterarchive.orgOcteth.comRatepoint.comReasonableSpread.com Yahoo! Groups or Groups.yahoo.comVerticalResponse.comYmlp.com

Evaluating a website:

Costs: often based on number of contacts or email addressesDriven by # of emails sent per monthMay offer non-profit discountAdding photos could be extraWide variety of features

Features: Recipients get copies of your emailsSend Plain Text NewslettersUpload your own HTML filesHTML WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editorTemplate gallery (# varies)“From” addresses managementPersonalize newsletters with “mail merge”Schedule newslettersSending attachmentsTest messages & drafts‘Embedded images’ optionSend in any language

Features: Web-based interface (no downloading or installation required)Customizable survey optionsAutomatic handling of subscribes & unsubscribesPersonalizable message and subject line, with any desired fieldsCreate and customize your own templatesPreview emails sent to yourselfSchedule to send at any date & timeDetailed bounce handlingForwarding & Tell-A-Friend

Features: Unlimited subscribersPowerful, simple import wizardCustomizable registration form to put on chapter websiteAutomatic protection against duplicate email addressesEmail design toolsAudio & video supportEvent calendar supportUnlimited image hostingCampaign reports

Features: Free LIVE supportTools to build your listsCustom subscription formsFree webinarsCross browser compatibilitySecureAnti-spam Integration with chapter websiteAccount admin easyReports & statisticsFree trial

What some chapters are doing now: AZ-chapter created network (via Bill Kisich)CA – yahoo groups and MyEmmaCT – iContactNew England -MyEmmaNJ-iContactPA – nothing yetVA –evaluating Constant ContactWA – Constant Contact & rarely used yahoo groups

Communicate effectively.

www.SeasonsGardenDesign.com