These notes are practical guidelines and suggestions for communicating with developing communities. They are light on theory and heavy on the practical details you need to get the job done. Have faith, follow the guide lines, and you will not only find that your communication materials are more effective, and by the way more cost effective, but you will sleep a whole lot better at night.

I envisioned these notes as a “Private Workshop” and that’s the way I have tried to keep them. You should be able to find real life practical advice on how to create great materials in every section. Once familiar with the ideas, concepts, and techniques contained in these notes you should be able to use them as a ready reference when things get tough, or you find yourself running short on new ideas.

Use the dos and don’ts frequently. Whenever you finish a campaign segment check the dos and don’ts to insure you haven’t broken any important rules. It’s surprising how easily you can get off track, or become involved with hundreds of unimportant changes.

The excuses for making absolutely silly changes would truly amaze you. Changes are like chocolate bars with nuts or potato crisps: once you start it is almost impossible to stop. The fact is, you can easily find excuses for making almost any change your little heart might fancy: you can also kill a great campaign that way. So, priority number one is: keep your priorities straight and do not start fixing things that are not broken.

Seriousness aside - where it belongs - communicating for social change should be fun and is immensely rewarding on a personal level. Each and every development campaign is a chance to make life a little better for those who didn’t have the opportunities in life that you, or I, did. Personally I find that rewarding, and immensely satisfying. It is also a very serious responsibility to bear.

The fact that I can make a positive difference in peoples lives by using my unique skills and talents is, well, satisfying. The fact that I can have fun doing it - which some say indicates that I’m a masochist or at best simply crazy - is derived from the joys, and pains, of creativity. Watching what often starts as a few random lines scribbled on a scrap of paper evolve into a successful communication campaign is an experience that cannot be described. It’s an experience I hope you will also enjoy.

And finally, if you have a really sticky problem and need some advice send me an e-mail about it. I make no promises. But I will try to help, if I can. Besides, I enjoy a good laugh as much as the next guy.