Comms Coach - What’s Next?

When planning a campaign, it’s easy to focus on the immediate goals—raising funds, increasing awareness, or driving engagement. But to create a lasting impact, you need to think beyond the initial campaign and ask yourself, 'What’s next?'

Let’s break it down into three key areas: Sustaining Engagement, Measuring Impact, and Planning Future Steps.

First up, Sustaining Engagement.

After your campaign launches, how will you keep your audience engaged? This could mean sending regular updates, sharing success stories, or offering new ways for supporters to get involved. Remember, engagement shouldn’t end when the campaign does.

Think about creating a follow-up series of emails or social media posts that thank your supporters and show them the impact of their contributions. This will keep the conversation going and make them feel like a valued part of your mission.

Next, Measuring Impact.

It’s crucial to track your campaign's success and understand what worked and what didn’t. Set clear metrics before you start, and use tools like Google Analytics, social media insights, and donor management software to gather data.

After the campaign, analyze this data to measure your impact. Did you reach your fundraising goals? How many new supporters did you gain? Use these insights to improve future campaigns and demonstrate transparency to your donors."

Finally, Planning Future Steps.

Why do we like post-credit scenes at the movies? Because it teases the next thing - right? What is the next film? The next story? The next campaign? Every campaign should be a stepping stone to something bigger. What’s your next move? Start planning early and build on the momentum you've created, whether it’s a new project, another campaign, or a significant event.

Outline the steps you’ll take after the campaign ends. This could include follow-up meetings with key stakeholders, new content creation, or even launching a survey to gather feedback from your supporters.

By thinking through 'What’s Next?’, you can ensure that your campaigns achieve their immediate goals and contribute to your long-term mission. Sustaining engagement, measuring impact, and planning future steps are key to creating lasting change.

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s Comms Coach episode. If you found this helpful, subscribe to our channel and follow us on social media for more tips and insights. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need support. Together, we can create campaigns that truly make a difference.

I am rooting for you.

And one more thing—remember to thank your donors as part of the campaign. I’ll see you on Wednesday.
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