Communication is the act of conveying information between two or more people. It can be verbal, nonverbal, or written. Strategic communication, on the other hand, is a planned and intentional process of conveying messages to achieve specific goals.
Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
Communication:
- Focus: Sharing information and ideas.
- Purpose: To inform, entertain, or build relationships.
- Process: Can be spontaneous or planned.
- Examples: Casual conversations, emails, presentations, social media posts.
Strategic Communication:
- Focus: Achieving specific objectives through communication.
- Purpose: To persuade, influence, or motivate a target audience.
- Process: Deliberate and planned, often involving research, analysis, and evaluation.
- Examples: Marketing campaigns, crisis communication, public relations, lobbying efforts.
In essence, communication is the foundation of strategic communication. Strategic communication builds upon communication by adding a layer of planning, strategy, and measurement to achieve specific outcomes.
Here are some practical examples to illustrate the difference:
- Communication: You tell your friend about a new restaurant you tried.
- Strategic Communication: A restaurant uses social media ads to attract new customers.
- Communication: You give a presentation at work.
- Strategic Communication: A company launches a public relations campaign to improve its image.
Strategic communication requires careful consideration of the target audience, the message's purpose, and the desired outcome. It involves using a variety of communication channels and strategies to achieve the desired results.
