A news article or newsletter is a great way to stay in touch with your residents. I know you’re busy but stick with me on this one. You don’t have to be Woodward OR Bernstein or even a HTML goddess. We make it easy and the results will speak for themselves.
Once you log into your site, click the publish button. Choose Publish Content and then select News Article. Enter in the content you want to share such as neighborhood Halloween Trick or Treating times and safety reminders. (Be sure and remind parents they have to taste test the chocolate candy. Because, chocolate!). As you write the content, keep the following in mind:
Get it all down on paper. Your high school English teacher was correct! (Thanks, Mrs. Dobry). Write as much as you can, without paying too much attention to grammar and spelling. It’s more difficult than it sounds but it works. You can always go back and check for grammar. And there’s a spelling correction function too so incorrectly spelled words will be underlined.
Read your article outloud. You look a tad bit goofy but it helps you identify wordy or run-on sentences.
Pretty it up. Images and videos are easy to add to articles. Just click the image icon in the top right corner of the article block that you’re working in, and select Insert Image.
Timing is everything. Scheduling your posts on Friday night at 10pm is perhaps not the best timing. Run a report and see what days your residents are checking the site. (Click publish, then Reports and Downloads, then Site Usage.) You can schedule the post ahead of time and you can always send out a text blast, too, and let residents know that an important announcement has been posted on your community site.
Jerry Seinfeld said, “it’s amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper.” You can power a safe and informed community with a few simple news articles. If you need inspiration, just walk out the door and see what’s going on. Leaves need raking? Write about it. Someone’s yard lookin’ particularly fabulous? Congratulate them. Kids getting together for pickup hoops? Spread the word. See? Easy. Happy writing!
To help improve communication in your community, download your copy of our free guide, Key Strategies to Promote an Informed and Efficient Community.
