1. Shout it out!
Use your internal communication team
to accomplish your program goals
Michele Gurrieri + Kris Baxter-Ging
City of Tempe Community Relations

2. Who are the experts?
You are the experts at Housing Services.
You provide life-saving services.
You are cheerleaders for your clients
when, often, no one else understands.
You provide direction to food, shelter, clothing, water, job
training, education and more.
Often, few people, other than those you help, know or
appreciate what you do.

3. Who are the experts?
Your Communications Team members are experts at helping people
learn and understand your programs.
They talk to media every day.
They plan special events.
They design brochures, programs.
They produce videos and provide
professional photography.
They work with councilmembers, mayors and business dignitaries.
They write speeches and proclamations.
They tell the world your best stories and spread needed information.
In short, they are professional big mouths.

4. Communication Strategy
Meet with your Communication Team member to create a map to awareness for your
programs. Here are some things to think about:
What do you want to accomplish?
Examples:
• Do you want more people to know about the programs you have available?
• Do you want more donors? More clients in Family Self-Sufficiency?
• Do you want people to know your Wait List is Open?
• Do you need people to be able to find resources online more easily?
Other questions:
What communication tools will work best?
What budget do you have? Are there things you can do at no cost?
Who are your advocates? Who do you want to reach?
A strategy that combines your expertise and communications expertise will result in
really positive outcomes.

5. Messaging
What do you want people to know?
– Your city cares about its less fortunate
– Your programs help people who need it
– What your programs are, what they do
– Your programs save people money and
improve the community
– Can you help? Do you need help?

6. Getting the Word Out
Methods:
Media
Events
Posters
Website
Newsletters
Social Media
Word of Mouth
Elected Officials
Churches, Charities
Neighborhood HOAs
Community groups
(Kiwanis, Rotary, VFW)

7. What is News?
• New
• Timely
• Different
• Affects a Neighborhood
• Worth Substantial Money
Examples:
• New Program
• Rare Opportunity to Sign-up
• Amazing Personal Success Story
• Purchasing a Building for Low-Income or Homeless
• A New Way of Doing Things That Saves Substantial Money
Your Communications Team member can help the person selected
to talk to the media with speaking points and helpful hints
on how to make the most of the opportunity.

8. Events
Great opportunities to spread the word about your programs
Your Communications Team can
help you with:
Themes and Art
Programs and Invitations
Writing, Speeches and
Proclamations
Coordination of Dignitaries
Décor and Giveaways
Photography and Videography
Social Media
News Media

9. Community Groups, Charities
• Kiwanis Clubs, Rotary meetings
• Chamber of Commerce
• Charities
• Churches
• HOAs
Get yourself invited to these meetings every so often to spread the
word about your services and needs. They can help you attract clients
and get donations
Your communication team can write speeches and create
presentations (like this one) with you.

10. Great Brochures & Campaigns
• Purpose – One topic
• Budget
• Audience
• Design
• Writing
• Art
• Distribution
• E-version or Printed?

11. Design Basics
If you don’t have a graphic designer, remember these helpful tips:
• Keep it simple and clean
• Be consistent with the look and
feel of all your collateral pieces
• Stick with one font
• Choose a color palette
• Don’t pull photos and logos from
the Internet (usage rights and
quality issues)
• Use the highest resolution art you
can
• Don’t use all caps or all bold type

12. Website
Depending on what your community
allows:
• Your communications team can help
you create a logical structure so
people can find what they need
• Help you write and edit
• Find photos and videos to post
• Make sure it looks good and follows
design guidelines

13. Video
Can be a great way to show people effectiveness of your programs
• Emotional
• How To
• Informational
• Motivational
This Housing success story video can be found at: http://youtu.be/G_nNMfXBef4

14. Social Media
Do you have rights to post?
Your communications team can:
• Help you draft messages for Facebook, Twitter
and Pinterest accounts for campaigns
• Help you respond to requests for help
• Help you monitor what people are posting
about your services
• Help you promote your programs
• Gain followers and friends to hear your
messages

15. What else?
Michele_Gurrieri@tempe.gov
Kris_Baxter@tempe.gov
City of Tempe Community Relations
480 350-4311
www.facebook.com/cityoftempe
www.Twitter.com/tempegov
www.youtube.com/tempe11video
www.tempe.gov/housing