Communication Strategies in a Startup

by Paula Lee

Before starting a business from scratch, bear in mind that startups have so much on their plate. The to-do lists of the startups you get to see around are heaped with things like:

• Business strategies
• Legal
• Paperwork
• Marketing
• ​Branding
  
• Financial 
• Technical solutions, and so much more.

It is very difficult sometimes to have a clear cut idea on what to place as a priority. However, with all of these things to get worried about, entrepreneurs keep on making the mistake of leaving communication strategies asides. But little do they realize that communication could probably solve some of their problems above if used effectively. With an effective communication strategy, it will make marketing a lot easier as your customers will already feel a lot more connected with your brand. 

How To Set Up Communication Strategies In A Startup
There are ways in which these entrepreneurs can take up communication in their newly acquired business. Some of the steps include:

• Define the target audience

You must have heard it several times that before you begin communicating, you should first of all have a clear definition of who your target audience is. How else can you foster your connection without knowing who your target audience is?

Depending on the type of target audience you have, every one of your communication tips should be tailored according to the audience.
This is because, the way you communicate with your investors, will not be the same way you will communicate with your staff.
This is very important as some entrepreneurs forget about their styles of communication with different groups of people. The way of communicating with different groups should be unique. After all, you wouldn't call your investor, "Baby" would you?

• Choose the media to utilize 

Your message is as important as the type of media channel you use in passing them across. While you can create the ideal message for your target audience, however, publishing it in a place where your target audience never reads will not have any perfect effect. 
For example, if you are selling adult diapers, and you are utilizing TikTok, you might be wasting your time and energy. 
Also, you should try deciding if you will want to pass through the classic media which means anything and everything been written by reporters or the new media which entails online advertising and social media
Although most things are moving rapidly to the new media, the classic media is still relevant to its particular audience.

• Create a crisis communication strategy

What this means is that the crisis communication plan is vital to any business as its lack can be disastrous. With the crisis communication plan, every company will have an idea of how best to deal with a crisis. Remember when Chip Wilson was under fire when he stated, "Some women's bodies just don't work." 
Crisis communication is for that type of situation. 
Major Aspects Of Having A Communication Plan
There are some aspects to having a highly effective communication plan and they include:

• Preparation

Here, you will have to take out time to sit and think through the worst that can take place in your business. You should plan every bit of how you will deal with the crisis as they are taking place.

• Credibility

When you are opportune to discuss your business crisis with the press, it is advisable not to say the sort of things that you just think up. Rather, say the things that are true and do not lie. This is your time to prove that your brand is not what they frame it to be. 
To Wrap It Up
Additionally, you should try measuring all of your communication activities as some forms of media are expensive. With this, have in mind that you must know how to make use of communication efficiently as it will go a long way for your startup.

https://beyondim.com/the-difference-between-communication-and-marketing-part-1/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2013/11/12/how-not-to-apologize-with-chip-wilson-of-lululemon/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/lululemon-founder-chip-wilsons-apology-doesnt-pass-the-drishti-test/2013/11/12/914d2338-4bae-11e3-ac54-aa84301ced81_story.html?hpid=z4&tid=lk_inline_manual_3
http://overit.com/blog/creating-a-crisis-communications-strategy