When you want to inform many people simultaneously on an important subject, a general meeting is a good way to do it.

An information meeting/general meeting is essentially a one-way communication and should not be confused with a dialogue. This is primarily a method for informing citizens, e.g. introducing a large dialogue project and informing a large group on how the work will proceed. Another example could be when the management wants to inform on a decision already made, including the basis and facts. Verbal information should be supplemented with written information/presentation materials of various kinds. A general meeting puts very high demands on the leader of the meeting. The aim and the agenda of the meeting must be clear to everyone. Make clear in the invitation that this is an information meeting and not anything else. Often, there are discussions one way or another. All participants will not be heard, however. In most cases it is only those who dare express themselves in other contexts who put forth their views and opinions. If the issue considered is controversial, many participants run the risk of having difficulties to assimilate substantial information. Because of this, it takes an experienced organiser to lead the meeting, let various participants speak, and handle various situations. A general meeting is easy to accomplish if you want to spread similar information to many people at the same time. This form should not be used if the aim is to acquire substantial views and have a dialogue.

Homepages are simple and efficient tools for providing many people with information simultaneously.

A homepage is not a static information channel you make once; it must be updated continuously and adapted to the demands of the world around us. In spite of the large access to computers and the Internet, you cannot reach all citizens through the homepage. Think about how you inform – is the information primarily aimed at citizens or users? Perhaps several levels of information are required. A comprehensive description of e.g. the management of the area aimed at residents, media and other interested parties, and in-depth information for users and personnel. This kind of role-based and target group-adapted information is getting more and more common. The homepage is the absolutely fastest channel for spreading information. The homepage must be run in a professional way and this requires resources in the form of competence as well as tools.

Printed information provides a clear message, but it may be difficult to reach the right target group and it is rather expensive.

Informing the citizens on what is happening in the municipality or in the area in question is a very important task. One must use several different channels, since citizens pick up information in many different ways. In spite of homepages and other channels on the Internet having assumed a large amount of the information flow, printed information is preferable in many cases. When printed matter is produced, it is important to use words everyone understands and avoid technical terminology. Be careful to describe the target group, so the information reaches the intended recipients. Can we write to the young and old in the same way? The information in printed matter should also be presented on the homepage. There are also opportunities for having in-depth information, discussion fora, etc. If you want to make a broad invitation to various activities, printed information is efficacious. The invitation may include an entry stub, reply form, etc. if desired. A method frequently used by organisations is performing dialogues in the neighbourhood, and where they meet people in the street. In that situation it could be worthwhile to have something for those who want additional information. A leaflet or brochure that explains or provides facts has a value in being easy to put in your bag or pocket for later reading when you are on the bus, etc. Does the information you consider printing have a short or long lifespan? If the lifespan is short, consider other information channels. The chain from idea to finished product is rather long, but of course it varies with the requirements put on the end product. Count backwards from an imagined delivery date and it will become clear how much time the process will take via your suppliers.