- Grammarly is an artificial intelligence (AI) writing tool that assists writers with punctuation, spelling and overall grammar and content structure. Don’t let AI scare you! While it should not be used to create the content itself, it is a useful tool to ensure your writing is clear, concise and error free. The platform is free. Users can plug in their content and check for grammar accuracy or improve the content with the paraphrasing tool.
- Canva is a graphic design platform with templates for all types of documents like newsletters, fliers, invitations, and other visual communications. The free templates can be designed to fit your needs and branded with ANFP logos and colors.
- Microsoft Templates is like Canva, as it offers various templates within the Microsoft Office Suite that can be useful for other chapter projects. Perhaps you are looking to enhance your next PowerPoint or would like to track evaluation results over a period in Excel. Microsoft offers an array of templates to help you get started on your next communication or project.
- ChatGPT is another AI tool that can help users refine their content making it more concise. Like Grammarly, it should not be used to create the content itself; it can be useful to rephrase content and ensure accurate spelling and grammar.
- ANFP's Style & Brand Guide is a handy resource for all your chapter branding and writing needs. When creating a marketing document (including your newsletter), we recommend you refer to this guide to ensure seamless branding and a professional look. You can access this in Volunteer Resources here.
- Perhaps the most important tool you have is the Spelling & Grammar function in Word which should be used with every document created as a best practice. Additionally, when creating communications, newsletters, or other marketing documents or collateral, it’s also a best practice to proofread the content before sending it out to your audience. You may also want to consider having a couple fellow chapter leaders proofread these documents as well.
Food For Thought
Much of our content consumption, whether it be educational, for trainings, for fun, or otherwise, is often done via video. It might be a webinar, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook Reels, or a video on your local news page. It has become a consistent method of communication as well. With video conferencing on platforms such as Zoom, RingCentral, Slack, and even FaceTime, it is a presence in our everyday lives. However, while video is convenient, it does not replace the need for written communication. There are many reasons written communication is still necessary, particularly with our chapters. Newsletters are one of the ways we communicate with our chapters, along with e-mails, social media posts, or other essential documents. These communications provide important and updated information relevant to our members and their careers. So, it’s important that these communications are written in a professional manner that is free of spelling and grammar errors and are clear and concise. To ensure your chapter’s communications include content that is presented in a professional manner, we’ve included a few tools listed below that chapter leaders may find helpful.