Whichever type of community you’re a part of, there’s always a need for information, resources, and support. From local guides with contact details, locations, and attractions to more business-oriented materials that describe policies, services, and benefits, there are specific steps you can take to help you drive civic engagement and make your product as compelling as possible.
Know What Your Audience Needs
Understanding the needs of your community will help you decide what content to include. Do you need to include long-form definitions of terms or just deliver quick information that can be accessed on the go? What topics do your people need and want?
Gather Your Content
While it might be important for top-level stakeholders to know how long your organization has been operating or where it all started, your members might only need to know how to access certain people or perform certain activities or functions. Assemble everything you want to include, but don’t be afraid to edit!
Organize Your Resources in a Practical Way
Once you have all of your material, think about how to present it in a way that works best for your goals. QuickSeries guides are tabbed – and sometimes color coded – for easy and quick reference. Having too many resources packed on the page can be overwhelming. Try creating separate pages for each topic to keep everything well organized.
Make It Easy on the Eyes
Adding design flair to your resource guide engages readers. From community photos to interesting infographics or eye-catching diagrams, or even careful use of white space, will make your resource guide more attractive. In developing your guide, think about visual accessibility – what font provides the best readability for your audience?
Promote Your Message
Don’t forget to promote yourself! Add links, contact information, programs, and other community resources that make your organization great. If you rely on volunteers, discuss the benefits others have felt from donating their time and effort to your mission. Add testimonials to showcase your value.
Review Your Guide Regularly
It can be off-putting to go looking for information only to find that your results are out of date or no longer available. Look over and update your resource guide on a set schedule so your community has access to the most accurate information and guidance.
QuickSeries has been creating custom resource guides and various other print formats for over 30 years. Together, we can make a bigger impact! Reach out to discuss your vision today.