When I stepped into the social impact space a year ago, I was freshly out of a postgraduate program that tied the humanities and social sciences with technical media knowledge. The trajectory of communications in the development sector was obvious and I soon realised the transformative potential of communication strategies when harnessed for social good.
The heart of social impact communications lies in the art of storytelling. Whether championing a social purpose organisation’s mission or spearheading a corporate social responsibility initiative, a good story is hardly a miss! Well-crafted narratives, while exuding authenticity, can lead to a significant shift in public consciousness. All while remembering that we don’t hold the reins of those stories; they belong to the individuals and communities we serve. Social impact communications functions as a medium of amplifying their voices and delivering the stories they tell.
With some lessons and experiences as I began running communications in the social impact consulting space, there were more lessons than anticipated. No preparation could have helped me steer the world of social impact communications as much as the simple but crucial understanding: purposeful communication is key. Exploring different vantage points in the social impact communications landscape has shaped my approach to be dynamic yet focused. Whether empowering a social purpose organisation or fostering a CSR initiative, the mission remains unchanged – to inspire, engage, and contribute to meaningful change.
Digital communication is indispensable for running a communications function, a powerful tool to reach more people and be more visible. For communications to enable authentic engagement, branding anchored in purpose becomes our strongest ally. Purpose-driven branding suggests a greater emotional connect and an enhanced brand perception. Clearly defining an organisation’s value, mission, and objectives is always the first step to a robust communications strategy.
Combining passion-driven storytelling that infuses every word, pixel, and interaction with evidence-based communication strategies creates a powerful synergy. A strategy that is seamlessly flexible, super versatile, and always resilient! Navigating the vast world of social impact communications, I am learning and adapting to create a strategy that resonates deeply and drives tangible results.
