How many times did you wake up excited thinking “I can’t wait to read that report”?

My personal response is:

Never.

And reports are a big part of my job, which I love.

The challenge lies in the fact that many reports become cumbersome documents.

Relevant details often get buried beneath jargon, convoluted sentences, and confusing graphics.

Here are 4 steps to make your Impact Report more effective and pleasant to read:

1. Know your audience.

Whom is this report intended for? Different stakeholders demand varied details, linguistic styles, and delivery channels.

2. Define your actionable purpose.

What is the report for? Impact reports should inspire your stakeholders to take the next steps toward achieving mutual goals.

3. Take out the fluff.

Include only what is relevant to your audience. What do they need to know? “Less is more” is the rule here.

4. Make it visual and clear.

Nothing fancy, don’t go overboard. Clear and easy-to-read graphics. Be sure the reader does not have to guess what the graphic means.

An impact report is much more than an accountability tool.

It is one more shot to create buy-in, show why our initiative matters, and empower the reader to champion our cause.