What are the main types of corporate comms?
As mentioned, there are two main types of corporate comms – internal and external. Let’s explore the features of each in more detail.
Internal corporate communications.
Internal corporate communications pass along key updates and messages to employees, managers, executives and board members. The primary goal of internal corporate communications is to keep everyone who works within your organisation informed about the latest business updates and developments.
Internal corporate communications also help to foster a strong company culture by evoking trust in your business and ensuring you maintain a unified workforce.
There are lots of different types of internal corporate communications, including:
- Team chats on messaging apps
- Emails
- Business memos
- Company newsletters
- Company updates
- Informal chats
- Employee portals, such as the company intranet.
External corporate comms.
External corporate comms is the brand messaging your company offers to the outside world. It’s a big part of your company’s public image and shapes how people perceive you. The goal of external corporate comms can vary, from raising brand awareness on social media, to building relationships with stakeholders.
There are plenty of tools you can utilise to communicate with customers and clients. Key examples include:
Why are corporate communications important?
Corporate communications are important as they can help your business foster a clear, professional and consistent tone across every touch point. Getting your corporate communications right can also:
- Foster a positive internal company culture. Internal corporate communications help employees understand your vision, goals and values, which can help to foster an inclusive and transparent company culture.
- Keep staff in the loop with important updates. Regular updates via weekly newsletters, or company wide business meetings help you stay transparent and ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Build a positive brand and public image. Your external communications can help people learn more about what your company stands for. Clear and consistent external messaging can also help demonstrate a reliable and trustworthy brand.
- Attract and retain customers. External communication activities such as social media posts and targeted advertising campaigns can help you attract new customers. Regularly engaging with customers can also help develop brand loyalty.
How to boost your corporate communications.
Looking to boost your corporate communications? Here are five ways to help make your communications more impactful:
1. Outline your key objectives.
Understand what you’re trying to achieve from your communication strategy. If you’re just starting your business, your external comms may be focused on increasing brand awareness. While your internal communications may be focused on building a positive culture with new team members.
2. Understand your audience.
Understanding your audience is key to corporate communication. For example, if your target audience are Gen Z, it may be best to communicate with them via TikTok, as the average TikTok users in the UK are 18- to 24-year-olds.
3. Keep your brand voice and messaging consistent.
Maintaining a consistent brand voice is vital as it helps to build trust and recognition among your company. In a world where customers interact with many different brands a day, consistency can help your brand stand out.
4. Ensure messages are clear and relevant.
Ensuring your messages are clear and relevant helps foster a transparent and collaborative environment at work. Clear and consistent communication also ensures stakeholders, clients and customers can easily communicate with your brand without any friction.
5. Be real.
Sometimes corporate communications can sound a little too corporate. Don’t forget that people are the core foundation of your businesses. Your messages may be more likely to engage with employees if they have an honest and open feel. The same applies externally too.