Telling people about a change.
WHAT AN ANNOUNCEMENT MUST DO
Say what is changing Say when Say what they must do Say why, briefly
WHAT TO LEAD WITH
The change itself.
WHY
Readers want to know whether it affects them.
WHAT TO PUT IN THE SUBJECT OR HEADING
The change, specifically.
WHAT A GOOD ONE LOOKS LIKE
Email storage limits increasing from the first of next month.
WHAT A POOR ONE LOOKS LIKE
Important update.
WHAT TO INCLUDE FOR ANYTHING REQUIRING ACTION
Exactly what to do, by when.
WHAT TO PUT NEAR THE TOP
Whether action is required at all.
WHY
Most readers only need to know that.
WHAT TO AVOID
Announcing several unrelated things together Corporate language obscuring the change Framing bad news as an improvement
WHY THAT LAST ONE FAILS
Readers detect it, and it costs credibility.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT UNPOPULAR CHANGES
State them plainly, with the reason.
WHAT TO PROVIDE
A route for questions.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Whether different groups need different messages.
WHEN TO SEND
Enough notice to act.
WHAT TO DO FOR ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT
Announce, remind, and confirm afterwards.
