Strategic communication is the study and practice of using [effective communication](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-communication-skills) skills and techniques to achieve a company’s marketing or public relations goals. Strategic corporate communication involves developing marketing and media strategies to reach target audiences with the most compelling message. This includes crafting integrated marketing communications, or messaging with a consistent [brand identity](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dvfs-tips-for-designing-a-brand-identity) across multiple platforms.
Strategic communication aims to create consistent and compelling messaging and multimedia assets that reach key audiences to achieve a specific goal. For example, your company may need a communications strategy to reach your [target market](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/target-market-guide) to sell more products. Some companies also hire strategic communication professionals to manage internal communications between employees and leaders. 
A strategic communication plan helps create cohesion across external digital media initiatives, press outreach and public affairs, and internal communications programs. Follow these tips to create a clear roadmap for your communication activities.

1. __State the purpose or goal of your communications__. Setting clear communications goals and metrics will guide your messaging and help stakeholders remain aligned. A purpose statement will be useful to refer to during [strategic planning](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-strategic-plan-for-your-business) and will help unify all communication efforts. 
2. __Identify your audience__. Work with your marketing and communications teams to utilize analytics and research methods to gauge public opinion and identify your target audience. Craft messaging that speaks to your audience or demographic—the more specific you are, the easier it will be to craft communications that reaches and influences them.
3. __Decide on your communication channels__. Consider your message and audience to determine the communication formats or channels that will be most effective. For example, you might use [social media marketing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/social-media-marketing-guide) to sell a product or service to a younger audience, but nonprofit organizations might use email or postal mail for fundraising communications to older audiences.
4. __Set a timeline for your communication plan__. Establish a timeline to ensure your team has enough time to develop effective messaging so you can deliver your communication campaigns on schedule. A good communication strategist will have the decision-making skills to know how much time it will take to develop messaging and when you should deliver a message for the best results. 
To enter this field of organizational communications, you need to earn a communications degree. Pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications theory, [digital marketing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-digital-marketing), public relations, political communication, media relations, mass communication, or communications research. You may also consider pursuing higher education courses in strategic communications programs or a master’s degree in business communications. 

If you pursue a career path in communication management, your job may involve media management, [writing press releases](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-press-release), developing marketing campaigns, writing internal communications, and overseeing crisis communication responses. 
Learn more about advertising and creativity from Jeff Goodby & Rich Silverstein. Break rules, change minds, and create the best work of your life with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com).
Strategic communication includes both the theory and study of communication principles and the practice of utilizing engaging messaging and marketing skills in multimedia, advertising, and public relations campaigns.

Strategic communication includes both the theory and study of communication principles and the practice of utilizing engaging messaging and marketing skills in multimedia, advertising, and public relations campaigns.

Strategic Communication 101: Tips for Strategic Communications

Strategic communication is the study and practice of using <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-communication-skills' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-improve-your-communication-skills","linkCopy":"effective communication","category":null}'>effective communication</a> skills and techniques to achieve a company’s marketing or public relations goals. Strategic corporate communication involves developing marketing and media strategies to reach target audiences with the most compelling message. This includes crafting integrated marketing communications, or messaging with a consistent <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dvfs-tips-for-designing-a-brand-identity' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dvfs-tips-for-designing-a-brand-identity","linkCopy":"brand identity","category":null}'>brand identity</a> across multiple platforms.

What Is Strategic Communication?

Strategic communication aims to create consistent and compelling messaging and multimedia assets that reach key audiences to achieve a specific goal. For example, your company may need a communications strategy to reach your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/target-market-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/target-market-guide","linkCopy":"target market","category":null}'>target market</a> to sell more products. Some companies also hire strategic communication professionals to manage internal communications between employees and leaders.

What Is the Purpose of Strategic Communication?

A strategic communication plan helps create cohesion across external digital media initiatives, press outreach and public affairs, and internal communications programs. Follow these tips to create a clear roadmap for your communication activities.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. State the purpose or goal of your communications. Setting clear communications goals and metrics will guide your messaging and help stakeholders remain aligned. A purpose statement will be useful to refer to during <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-strategic-plan-for-your-business' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-strategic-plan-for-your-business","linkCopy":"strategic planning","category":null}'>strategic planning</a> and will help unify all communication efforts. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Identify your audience. Work with your marketing and communications teams to utilize analytics and research methods to gauge public opinion and identify your target audience. Craft messaging that speaks to your audience or demographic—the more specific you are, the easier it will be to craft communications that reaches and influences them. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Decide on your communication channels. Consider your message and audience to determine the communication formats or channels that will be most effective. For example, you might use <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/social-media-marketing-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/social-media-marketing-guide","linkCopy":"social media marketing","category":null}'>social media marketing</a> to sell a product or service to a younger audience, but nonprofit organizations might use email or postal mail for fundraising communications to older audiences. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Set a timeline for your communication plan. Establish a timeline to ensure your team has enough time to develop effective messaging so you can deliver your communication campaigns on schedule. A good communication strategist will have the decision-making skills to know how much time it will take to develop messaging and when you should deliver a message for the best results. </li></ol>

How to Create a Strategic Communications Plan

To enter this field of organizational communications, you need to earn a communications degree. Pursue a bachelor’s degree in communications theory, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-digital-marketing' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-digital-marketing","linkCopy":"digital marketing","category":null}'>digital marketing</a>, public relations, political communication, media relations, mass communication, or communications research. You may also consider pursuing higher education courses in strategic communications programs or a master’s degree in business communications. If you pursue a career path in communication management, your job may involve media management, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-press-release' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-press-release","linkCopy":"writing press releases","category":null}'>writing press releases</a>, developing marketing campaigns, writing internal communications, and overseeing crisis communication responses.

How to Pursue Strategic Communications Jobs 

Learn more about advertising and creativity from Jeff Goodby &amp; Rich Silverstein. Break rules, change minds, and create the best work of your life with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>.

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Strategic communication includes both the theory and study of communication principles and the practice of utilizing engaging messaging and marketing skills in multimedia, advertising, and public relations campaigns.

Strategic communication includes both the theory and study of communication principles and the practice of utilizing engaging messaging and marketing skills in multimedia, advertising, and public relations campaigns.
