Developing a S.M.A.R.T. Communications Plan Communicating with all stakeholders is key to recruitment, sustainability and success. Learn to develop a S.M.A.R.T. communications plan with Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results oriented, and Time conscious objectives. School public relations specialist, AJ Huff, will discuss how having a S.M.A.R.T. plan in place can take the guess work out of the who, what, when and why’s of communicating about your Project SEARCH program.

1. S.M.A.R.T. Communications
Erase the guess work of communicating Project SEARCH

2. What is a communications plan?
A roadmap for
communicating your
key messages
What?
Who?
How?

3. Why do you need a
communications plan?

4. Why do you need a
communications plan?
To reach your goals

5. Why do you need a
communications plan?
To reach your goals
To reach ALL stakeholders

6. Why do you need a
communications plan?
To reach your goals
To reach ALL stakeholders
To communicate a
consistent message

7. Why do you need a
communications plan?
To reach your goals
To reach ALL stakeholders
To communicate a
consistent message
To create opportunity for
action and feedback

8. Why do you need a
communications plan?
To reach your goals
To reach ALL stakeholders
To communicate a
consistent message
To create opportunity for
action and feedback

9. Why do you need a
communications plan?

10. Why do you need a
communications plan?

11. Consistency is KEY!

12. What is a S.M.A.R.T.
communications plan?
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Results Oriented
Time Conscious

13. Specific Communication Goals
Who?
What?
Where/How?
When?
Why?

14. Specific Communication Goals
Who? Stakeholders
What?
Where/How?
When?
Why?

15. Specific Communication Goals
Who? Stakeholders
What? Goals/Messages
Where/How?
When?
Why?

16. Specific Communication Goals
Who? Stakeholders
What? Goals/Messages
Where/How? Vehicles/Tactics
When?
Why?

17. Specific Communication Goals
Who? Stakeholders
What? Goals/Messages
Where/How? Vehicles/Tactics
When? Time Frame
Why?

18. Specific Communication Goals
Who? Stakeholders
What? Goals/Messages
Where/How? Vehicles/Tactics
When? Time Frame
Why? Benefits

19. A time when SPECIFICS DON’T MATTER!

20. A time when SPECIFICS DO MATTER!

21. BE SPECIFIC in communicating Project SEARCH!

22. Stakeholders
Current Students/Parents
Potential Students/Parents
Associate Schools
Partnering Agencies
Potential Employers

23. Goals &
Messages
News and Updates
Recruitment
Job Development
Disability Awareness
Transition Services Awareness
Celebrate Student Success

24. Vehicles &
Tactics
Face-to-Face
Newsletters
Presentations and Open Houses
Website
Video
Social Media

25. Time Frame
Daily/Weekly/Monthly
Time of year
Frequency

26. Benefits
Reach your goals
Reach a$ stakeholders
Communicate a consistent message
Create action & feedback

27. Measurable communications
Establish criteria to
measure your
communication
progress
Surveys and Polls
Online Analytics
Analyze Feedback

28. Attainable communications
Establish
communication goals
that are realistic
Look at how you
communicate now
Quality vs. Quantity

29. Results oriented communications
Establish criteria to
determine if your
objectives & tactics are
meeting your goals
Analyze the quality of
your communications
based on response
Fix it - don’t defend it!

30. Time conscious communications
Stick to your timeline
Be ready to devote
Give it time for you to time and energy to
get good at communications
communicating
Give it time for your
audience to
understand your
efforts and provide
feedback

31. S.M.A.R.T. communications
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Results Oriented
Time Conscious

32. Questions?
AJ Huff
Coordinator of School-Community Relations
Madison Local School District
Middletown, Ohio
aj.huff@madisonmohawks.org