Get Your Scouts Messaging Right with These 11 Easy Tips

As a Scout, you know the importance of staying on brand. It's essential for communicating our key messages and sharing the benefits of Scouting with others. But staying on brand isn't always easy, especially if you're not sure what that means. That's why we've put together this quick and handy guide with 11 top tips to help you stay on brand and help more young people gain skills for life.

1. Talk about skills for life Skills for life are what we're all about. They're the skills we help young people gain to step up, speak up, and be at their best. By focusing on skills for life, we can communicate the key benefits of being a Scout and show how we're making a positive difference in the lives of young people.
2. Call us Scouts We're not "The Scout Association" all the time. When we're talking to people, it's okay to call us Scouts. It makes us more approachable and reflects how people talk about us in real life.
3. Use friendly, conversational, Plain English We're not stuffy and formal. We're friendly and approachable. So when you're writing or speaking about Scouts, use contractions like "you're" and "we're" and everyday language that's easily understood by all.
4. Remind people we're a charity and led by volunteers Being a charity and led by volunteers is an important part of who we are. But that doesn't mean we need to use Scout jargon or baffling role titles. Keep it simple and easy to understand.
5. Be personal and person-centric We're all about people. So when you're talking about Scouts, use "you," "me," "we," and "our" as much as possible. And don't forget to use a person's name whenever you can.
6. Celebrate our diversity We're proud of our diversity and the amazing family of Scouts we've built. So let's show that in the images we share and the stories we tell.
7. Make sure everyone's included Language matters. So make sure you're using language that includes everyone. Avoid gendered language like "mankind" and use terms like "parents/carers" instead of just "parents." And always think about what's the kindest thing to say.
8. Open the paint box Our brand has some new colors, including a darker teal for better accessibility, an orange, and a forest green. Don't be afraid to use them when updating any print or digital materials. And remember to use the correct logo and font, Nunito Sans, which is free.
9. Keep it positive and fun We're all about creating bright futures together. So let's keep it positive and fun when we talk about Scouts.
10. Give it some oomph! We love what we do. And we want others to feel that same energy and enthusiasm. So when you're talking about Scouts, give it some oomph!
11. Remind people of the big picture If more people supported Scouts, we could help create a stronger, closer, kinder society. And who doesn't want that? So let's remind people of the big picture and the positive impact Scouts can have on young people and communities.

Staying on brand isn't just about following a set of rules. It's about communicating who we are and what we stand for in a way that resonates with others. By following these 11 top tips, we can share our key messages, find the right tone, and help more young people gain skills for life. So what are you waiting for? Let's get on brand and make a difference!

The Scout Brand Centre is an online hub that provides a range of tools and resources for anyone looking to promote the Scouts and stay on brand. From logos and templates to brand guidelines and images, the brand centre has everything you need to create engaging and consistent communications that reflect the values of the Scouts. The centre is easy to navigate, and its tools are free to use, so whether you're a volunteer, leader or supporter of Scouts, you can access all the materials you need to help promote the organisation in a professional and effective way. - https://scoutsbrand.org.uk/