Planning your communication & Presentation best practices
The proverb "measure twice, cut once" highlights the importance of thorough preparation and accuracy in communication. By carefully planning, fact-checking, and seeking feedback, you can ensure your message is clear and precise, enhancing your credibility and engagement with the audience. This approach leads to more effective and impactful communication.
Branding
Keeping you out of trouble - guidelines
Communicating science
How to communicate archived webinars
Images - where to get them
Key message
Making an impact (communication)
Planning your communication
Presentation best practices
Branding
UC ANR Branding Toolkit
Let the UC ANR Communications Toolkit guide you in branding, social media use, web communication, public relations, and translation into other languages such as Spanish. Find out more UC ANR Branding Toolkit (Web page);
Stewarding the UC ANR Brand
By watching this video Stewarding the UC ANR Brand (5:30) you can learn why it's important and how you can be a steward of the UC ANR Brand
Keeping you out of trouble
Communication Advisory Board: Guidelines to Keep You Out of Trouble
The Communications Advisory Board (CAB) recommends that every product created by UC ANR personnel be reviewed by other experts before being disseminated to the public. Use this page to learn more. Communication Advisory Board: Guidelines to Keep You Out of Trouble (UC ANR Web).
Copyright materials
Best practices to use information and images and keep it legal. If I find it on the web is it fair use? For more information on protecting others' copyright materials and how to protect your own, review the University Office of the President page. Copyright materials (UCOP Web).
Making an impact, communicating for impact
Make Your Message and Your Delivery Compelling
Make your information easily available to your audience. Make it interesting and provide solutions that are doeable. More information on this handout Make Your Message and Your Delivery Compelling (PDF).
Communicating for Impact
Skilled communication means more trust, clearer understanding, and successful connection with your audience. Take this opportunity to go through this handout Communicating for Impact (PDF), the Online Presentation and then test your learning with this Quiz.
Communicating science
Effective science communication involves using clear, jargon-free language, visual aids, and storytelling to make complex concepts accessible. Tailor the message to the audience's knowledge level, present information logically, and be transparent about uncertainties to build trust and understanding. More information can be found on Communicating science (UC ANR Web).
Communicating Science to the Skeptical
Not every audience member trusts science. Learn how to better relate to people so they trust what you have to share on this video Communicating Science to the Skeptical (43:55).
Dealing with Skeptics
Any audience may have skeptics present. Understanding how to engage with them (particularly if they are disruptive) can help you communicate more effectively and positively. Read more on this handout Dealing with Skeptics (PDF)
Planning
8 Elements in a Communications Plan
Extending information is fundamental to the Extension mission. A plan is important in preparing your blog post, email, fact sheet, research paper, project ...etc. Here are options to consider when you Create a Communication Plan 8 Elements in a Communications Plan (PDF).
Audience and Communication Strategy
Use this one page exercise sheet Audience and Communication Strategy (PDF) for a simple communications strategy to think through your communication approaches for greater impact.
Enhancing Virtual Reach of How-to Information
Use this template Enhancing Virtual Reach of How-to Information (PDF) to plan for expanding your virtual reach.
Draft your message
Your messages to your clientele are meant to raise awareness about new practices, motivate people to change the way they do something, and/or provide information on how to implement a practice. Use this fact sheet Draft your message (PDF) to learn more.
5 tips for better newsletters
People still read written reports, stories, or bulletins. They can be the best way to communicate our information. If we’re failing to connect through those media, it’s not our audiences’ fault. It may be our writing. Learn some tricks to make your writing engaging on this web page 5 tips for better newsletters.
Writing a good fact sheet
A fact sheet provides clear, simple, and practical "how to" information that are understandable and appropriate for the community. Find out more on this handout Writing a good fact sheet (PDF).
Fact sheet template example
Feel free to use this Fact sheet template example (PDF) template to develop your first fact sheet.
Key Message
What do people need to know to successfully make the change? To create an effective key message, ensure it's clear, concise, and relevant. Focus on the main idea, using simple language and avoiding unnecessary details. Tailor the message to your audience, making it engaging and relatable. Use an active voice for impact, and support your message with evidence or examples to boost credibility. This approach makes your key message impactful and memorable.
Key Message includes the Solution to a Problem
It is important to draft the key message for the solution – the essential
information needed for the target group to implement the recommendation
successfully - distinguish the must know from the "nice to know." Use this fact sheet Key Message (PDF) to help you write yours.
Make your message and your delivery compelling
Is your information easily available? Is it presented in an interesting way? Does your information provide a "doable" solution that people can use? Use this handout Make your message and your delivery compelling (PDF) for success.
Images
Images - where to get them
Engaging audiences visually is an essential part of story-telling. These visual resources Images - where to get them (UC ANR Web) are designed to help you increase engagement in your content through the use of strong visuals.
Presentation Best Practices
Slide decks
Keep your slide deck simple and clear. Avoid using too many colors, fonts, text, or elements that confuse or distract your the audience. Remember your presentation must reflect UC ANR's brand and style, and therefore should respect its visual standards (colors, typography, shapes, etc.).
- Three Design Hacks for Better Visual Presentation
Three quick and easy design tips to make your presentations look beautiful and work more effectively by engaging your audience. Watch Three Design Hacks for Better Visual Presentation (Video 5:16) for more. - How to use PowerPoint Animations for a More Engaging and Better Training Presentation
If your slides appear all in one go, there's a decent chance it will overwhelm your audience. Instead, use animations to provide pacing and aid understanding in your presentations. Review more on this video How to use PowerPoint Animations for a More Engaging and Better Training Presentation (6:44). - PowerPoint: From Outline to Presentation
In this course, instructor Rich Harrington shares his workflow for building an effective, well-organized PowerPoint presentation, starting with a strong outline. Learn how to create the outline, get input from collaborators, and then transition that outline to an initial slide deck. PowerPoint: From Outline to Presentation (LinkedIn Learning modules). Request your LinkedIn Learning Account from the UC ANR IT team at help@ucanr.edu.
Presentations at their best
Adam Napolitan, digital strategist at UC Davis presented the following webinars for UC ANR:
- Making your presentations TED worthy. (Part I and II video recordings)
- Storytelling Part 1. Video (29:59)
Overcome obstacles and engage with your audience. Visual story telling. - Storytelling Part 2. Video (37 mins)
Using stories can provide inspirational responses. - TED Worthy Slides Fact Sheet (PDF)
Want an engaging talk? Here are some tips to develop it.
Presenting data effectively to inform and inspire
We all deal with data, and at some point, we all need to be able to present it effectively to others. But how can you really make an impact? How can you make sure you’re conveying the information that matters most, and that you're going to inspire your audience to action? Learn more by reviewing Presenting data effectively to inform and inspire (LinkedIn Learning). Request your LinkedIn Learning account from ANR IT at help@ucanr.edu.
Speaking with Confidence
Most people are afraid of speaking in public, but effective oral communication is a key skill in business. Learn in this course Speaking with Confidence (LinkedIn Learning) simple communication tools, strategies, and tips that are easy to use and produce immediate results. Request your LinkedIn Learning account from ANR IT at help@ucanr.edu.
Overcoming your Fear of Public Speaking
Have you ever had stage fright? Then this course Overcoming your Fear of Public Speaking (LinkedIn Learning) is for you! Although it may seem to come naturally to some people, public speaking is actually a skill that can be learned. Request your LinkedIn Learning account from ANR IT at help@ucanr.edu.
More resources:
How to Communicate Your Story archived recordings
Learn how to plan and provide your communication for blogs, social media, LinkedIn, Instagram, Storytelling, and more with these archived recordings How to Communicate Your Story archived recordings(UC ANR Web).
Image credits:
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay