A key to success for any business is getting the right message to the right people. For new co-operatives, figuring out how to communicate with their audience helps them move toward their goals. The best way to do this? Putting together a communication plan. (To learn how, check out this tool on the Co-op Creator) .  

A simple “comms” plan will help your co-op identify its audience, the message you want to send, and how it will reach the people you need to reach. Here are four reasons why creating a communication plan will help your co-op move forward.   

1. Ensure your team is speaking with one voice

A co-op is owned by a group of people and has multiple audiences to reach. This can be complicated. Having a plan can help ensure your board members are all on the same page about your co-op’s goals and how you’ll describe them, so your audience can be clear about your message and intentions.   

Getting together as a group to figure out what you want to say, how you want to say it, and who you need to reach is an excellent exercise for cohesion within the co-op and for reaching your goals.   

2. Promote Growth and Sustainability

A communication plan is essential for your co-op’s growth and sustainability. It will help you figure out how you’ll market the co-op’s products or services, attract funding, and build partnerships.   

Having clear, consistent, and compelling messaging can make your co-op stand out, highlighting its unique value proposition and building loyalty among members, customers, and others.  

3. Recruit and Engage Members 

One of any co-op’s most important audiences is its members. Co-ops are owned by their members, and their purpose is to meet their members’ needs. A clear communication plan can help ensure that members are not just informed about the co-op, but are also engaged and motivated.  

In a comms plan, you can determine the best way to provide members with regular updates about the co-op’s activities, decisions, and opportunities for involvement. This can help to foster commitment and engagement among members.  

If your goal is to grow your co-op, your communication plan can also outline how to reach potential new members and convince them to join.  

4. Practice Transparency 

Transparency is crucial for co-ops. A well-structured comms plan ensures that information regarding decisions, financial status, and policies is disseminated clearly and promptly to all members. This helps to build trust within the co-op, encouraging a culture of openness and accountability.  

A communication plan is a critical asset for any co-operative. It informs and engages members, improves understanding of the co-op, ensures transparency, and drives growth. Investing time and resources to develop a comprehensive plan is a great step towards helping your co-op succeed. 

 If you’re part of a new co-op in western Canada, check out our communications workshop! Reach out to learn how we can help your team develop its own comms plan.