Strategic Communications and Messaging Intensive

This two-session, 3.5-hour Zoom intensive (held over two consecutive sessions) offers not-for-profit sector professionals an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in crafting effective messages for campaigns and communications.

The Dates:

Wednesday 11th June - Thursday 12th June 

Times by states for both sessions: (Please be aware of the time differences for each state)

• NSW/ACT/VIC/ QLD & TAS – 10.00am-1.30pm
• SA & NT– 10:00am–1.30pm
• WA – 8:30am–12.00(noon)

Maximum numbers 25

What are people saying about this training?

Gemma has trained organisations nationally on messaging and communications skills. Here is some of the feedback she’s received:

Gemma’s training was incredible, and I’m really looking forward to applying the tools and learnings in my day-to-day work. It completely changed my perspective on so many things! Jen Frees, Volunteering Victoria.

"I felt engaged the entire time and left after both sessions feeling like I had learnt tangible skills that I was going to be able to implement into my work immediately. Gemma was incredible and has such a wealth of knowledge, the way she had an answer for every question asked was incredibly impressive and she was so great in helping with the practical training in the breakout rooms." Kiera McCormick, YWCA Canberra

"Good fast-moving session with reasonable balance between basic and slightly deeper dive components." Martin Turnbull COTA Victoria

"Gemma was a very inspiring presenter who was well prepared, the format was great, and she definitely shared her expertise in this field." Jenny Dodd Blind Sports 

What does the training cover?

The Strategic Communications and Messaging Intensive takes participants through the latest research from cognitive linguistics and psychology fields, along with some practical tools to develop communications that win.

The topics covered in the Strategic Communications and Messaging Intensive are:

Choosing the right frames and values for an inspiring campaign;

Human emotions and, therefore, actions are driven by underlying values. Science shows that priming the most useful values in your messages affects the way your audience reacts. Learn how framing your issue correctly will make it attractive to your audience.

Messaging pitfalls to avoid

Many communications sabotage themselves through counter-intuitive mistakes that actually reinforce the opposition’s message and weaken their own. Learn what to do and what to avoid when crafting your communications materials. You’ll never look at a message the same way again!

Countering misinformation and ‘fake news’

In a world awash with fake news, how do you stem the flood of misinformation? Includes case studies from around the world.

Developing a solid communications strategy

Many campaigns begin before their communications strategy is properly thought out. Learn how to create a simple roadmap for your communications that will keep you on track and make sure you’re putting your hard-earned resources in the right place.

Making sure your messages work for your audiences

This part of the course includes mapping out your audiences and crafting a message that the right people will love - and the right ones will hate! It also covers options for testing your messages before you go public.

Tools to get your people united behind your messaging

A chance to share ideas on what’s most useful in terms of resources and tools to keep your own organisation and your allies on track and on message during your campaign.

Apply what you’ve learnt to your own context, share skills, and get feedback

Throughout the training, participants will work on live examples from their own work to develop their campaign messages, learn from each other, and apply the new knowledge they’ve learned.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the principles of framing messages for success;
• Know the dos and don’ts to apply when developing communications materials;
• Develop an understanding of narratives and how they work in campaigning;
• Gain a template for a well-thought-out communications strategy;
• Get insights into testing your messages with various audiences;
• Develop the skills to apply what you’ve learnt across your organisation and allies;
• Gain a set of new ideas for how to message on your own issue;
• Get pointers and resources to develop your messaging knowledge further.

There will be a special Guest Speaker who will discuss how they ran a successful campaign. 

There will also be opportunities to ask questions. These sessions are intended to be interactive, and participants must have audio at minimum. 

Participants will also be provided with all training PowerPoint slides and a collection of tools and resources that can be used in the office to develop winning messages.

Who should attend the 2 x 3.5 hours Strategic Communications and Messaging Intensive?

The Strategic Communications and Messaging Intensive has been developed for people working in the not-for-profit sector. It is for anyone seeking to influence the government or gain the support of the public, particularly people working in communications, campaigning, organising, advocacy, fundraising, or marketing roles.

For Purpose works with not-for-profit and charitable organisations who are purpose-driven and purpose aligned. For Purpose’s training and services are created with these organisations in mind.

About the facilitator:

Gemma began her career as a travel writer in Africa before moving to the nonprofit sector, holding senior communications roles at organisations including ActionAid and Red Cross.
She entered the campaigning sphere as communications manager for a NSW state MP, alongside her freelance career as an in-demand copywriter.
Gemma is now a communications and messaging consultant, helping organisations tell new and fresh campaign stories in strategic ways.