Do

The method of developing your content will vary, dependent on the channel and the collaborators involved.

Collage with hands holding speech bubbles based on the concept of communication.

Top tips:

Make your communication IMPACTFUL: Interactive, multi-channel, personalised, clear/concise/consistent, timely, fun (or at least engaging), useful, and leave no one out.
Seek novel collaborations and invest in making them work
Pretest your content
Facilitate ongoing feedback

Contents of Disaster Risk Communication Hub

Characteristics of IMPACTFUL communication

There are nine common characteristics that should apply to most risk communication in any form it takes, to ensure it is “IMPACTFUL”.

Novel collaborations

Convening artists, musicians, writers, philosophers, influential digital content creators, and podcasters can be a great way to connect with target groups through new perspectives, feelings and emotions – all potential drivers of action.

Challenges and tips: Media interviews on disaster risk

This guidance can help ensure media interviews result in useful exchanges that help the public make informed decisions towards risk reduction.

Challenges and tips: Misinformation and disinformation on disaster risk communication

Misinformation and disinformation in disaster risk communication can significantly increase disaster risk by causing confusion and eroding credibility and trust in disaster risk management practices.

Pretesting your content

Pretesting disaster risk communication plans helps to indicate whether content will engage audiences, and enable you to make any necessary adjustments.

The importance of feedback loops

A feedback loop involves asking your audience for their views on your disaster risk communication and acting upon their responses.

Scenario: Do - Creating content for fisherfolk in Pescaville

The workshops for practitioners are entrusted to an experienced group and are underway. The media content is taking your attention right now. Guided by media expertise, you conclude:

A music and discussion programme for fisherfolk to listen to while out at sea would be a good way to engage them. It would cover a wide range of interests in the sector – from market prices to trends and technology (including radios) to indigenous knowledge
Experts in radio programming alongside specialists from the Met Service, Ministry of Fisheries, civil society, and the private sector will inform the episodes.

You plan IMPACTFUL communication: The show will be interactive (I) by including regular interviews and enabling social media and phone-in contributions. It will be multi-channel (M), available via live broadcast, podcast, and through clips on social media. Contributions from fellow fisherfolk and their networks will personalise (P) the content for their needs. The content is informed by experts so it’s accurate (A) and represents real-life experiences. You pick skilled presenters and programme makers who are clear, concise and consistent (C) with important information. Broadcasting daily at lunchtime will be timely (T) for fisherfolk to listen with less distraction. (Urgent warnings can go out any time). The tone will be fun (F): Co-hosts (one old, one young) will be lively and entertaining yet practical and useful (U). The hosts and the content will represent a range of groups and challenge negative social norms, leaving no one out (L).

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