Choose the channels that will deliver your health communications effectively.

To be effective, your communications first have to reach your target audience. You can use a wide variety of methods or channels to deliver health information. Use multiple channels to increase the likelihood that you will reach more employees and reach them often enough that they absorb the message. Consider the following range of channels:

• Print—posters, fliers, print newsletter ads or articles, booklets, and payroll stuffers.
• Audio—podcasts.
• Video—online video on the employee website, closed circuit TV ads/videos, and short videos for uploading to smart phones.
• Social media—company blogs and networks, social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and e-newsletter text messages.
• Person-to-Person—one-on-one discussions, group meetings, word-of-mouth, webinars, and blast e-mails.

Identifying the best way to reach your audience and message depends on the following factors:

• Whom you are trying to reach and what channels they access and prefer.
• The channels available in your workplace.
• The type of message you are delivering; posters or e-mails may be better for short announcements or simple messages, whereas webinars, articles, and websites are better for longer and more complex messages.
• The timeline—different formats require different lead times and take different amounts of time to produce.
• The budget available for health communication.