Dissemination as a term may sound strange at first, but when you are aware what it is about, you will find that it refers to familiar activities, most of which you encounter on a daily basis.
disseminate
[to spread or give out something, especially news, information, ideas, etc., to a lot of people] – definition by Cambridge Dictionary
Therefore sharing or making available any type of information is what dissemination exactly is.
At the beginning think about what you want to communicate and to whom. Only then will you be able to create a dissemination strategy. Dissemination can be applied both in the personal, as well as in business environments. In both cases your message should be well-constructed, but not very detailed. Provide an overview of information – just enough to attract attention. Be brief, you are sharing only key information, provoking curiosity in your target group or stimulating them to active participation. Make sure you have included contact details, otherwise your effort will be useless.
There are many possibilities in terms of dissemination. The choice will predominately depend on the audience you want to reach: teenagers or adults, professionals or the general public, men or women, and also on the impact you are aiming to achieve. The amount of available resources for this purpose should also be considered at any initial stage. Below you will find a few possibilities with our tips.
Traditional formats include:
Leaflets – universal, since can be distributed almost everywhere and to anyone
Posters – prone to damage, especially when placed outside
Journal articles – addressed to specific professional sectors, direct line with target group
Billboards – attract attention due to their size
The Media (radio, TV, newspapers) – guarantee reaching a wider audience
Face-to-face interactions:
Meetings – allow for providing personalized information that your guest is interested in
Conferences & Workshops – gather the target audience in one place, facilitating networking
Digital & Online Tools:
Social media – top three sites are Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (data by
Video-sharing – including vlogs, ads and platforms, where the most popular is You Tube
E-newsletters – received via mail, an alternative to newspapers
Websites – information is provided in one place (especially in terms of corporate pages)
Other useful tips:
- Create a logo to raise recognisability
- Keep your dissemination material consistent by using the same colours or templates
- Keep a list of contacts you have disseminated to
- Collect feedback from your target groups
When disseminating, free your creativity and speak the language of your target audience. You will then be more successful in sharing your message.
Sources:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/disseminate
