5 simple steps for conducting a communications audit

As your business grows, your external and internal audiences increase.

A communications audit determines which communications tools are working well and identifies where your organization can strengthen its messaging.

Even if you’ve never done one before, never fear: You can complete your communications audit in five easy steps:

Step 1: Analyze the vehicles distributed to your audiences.

Assemble samples of all the communications (newsletters, press releases, your website, blog, social media strategy, etc.) that you distribute to your target audiences. Evaluate them for effectiveness, accessibility and timing. Review your social media strategy. Determine the usefulness of various topics and vehicles. Analyze whether your audiences received the key messages and what communication they’re lacking.

Step 2: Get feedback from all internal audiences.

This step includes interviewing top management and collecting feedback from employees and staff.  One-on-one interviews with executives should reveal:

You can get feedback from employees through surveys, interviews and focus groups. This effort will help you determine whether your communication methods were understood by—and satisfied—all internal audiences.