Five Internal Communication Tools To Use

A while ago I wrote about why internal communications is important. I took the stand that it is an often overlooked element of the marketing communication mix.

Employees are your ambassadors. They are on the front line, dealing directly with customers and potential customers. You want them to be on the same page. Don’t forget them, and don’t forget to make your interaction with them just as engaging as you do with your external audience.

And, there are lots of tools for you to use to engage with your employees! But which ones should you use?

Short Answer?

For the most part, the marketing communication tools you can use for external communications can also be used for internal communications.

Let’s talk about five of them.

Five Internal Communication Tools To Use

1. Email. Love it or hate it, email is still the number one way to communicate – both externally and internally. With that said, take some steps to make sure employees read those emails. Use links versus attachments or long emails. If sending out a newsletter via email, make it a HTML version so people can read it within the email. More importantly, they can read it on their phones or tablets. The easier it is for people to access and read, the more likely they will read it. Instant gratification, right?
2. Newsletters. Since they were mentioned above, let’s address them. Newsletters are still a very important internal communications tool. Even if they are printed. Why? Because numerous companies have jobs that require employees to work in the field rather than behind computers. Think plants, factories, oil rigs, etc. In addition, many employees like newsletters mailed to their homes so their families can read them.
3. Video. Video continues to grow as one the preferred ways to communicate and engage with people. Use this tool now. Leadership messages, testimonials, employee spotlights, product launches, change management, tutorials, live webcasts – the list goes on. Have fun with video as an internal communications tool. Encourage employees to submit ideas or videos to engage them with challenges, contests, and success stories. They have smartphones – use them.
4. Yammer. Yammer is your company’s private social network that helps you and your teams stay on top of it all. Start conversations, collaborate on files, and organize around projects so you can go further—faster. (That’s direct from their site.) It’s behind your firewall, so it’s secure. Let employees collaborate and engage with each other no matter where they office.
5. Web. Don’t forget your internal website. Just like your external website, keep it updated and engaging. Take the time to make it user-friendly. Plus, all the tools listed above? They can be kept on the internal site as well.

What tools would you add to this list?