Saleha Singh, a contributor to The Indian Sun who regularly writes on community health, mental health, and women’s issues, recently led a virtual training session focused on external communications. Hosted as part of The Indian Sun’s media training and capacity-building project, supported by the Victorian Government, the session brought together representatives from organisations such as IndianCare and the Multicultural Women’s Alliance Against Family Violence. (Bakhtar Community Organisation attended the first session, and the Sikh Community Connection and PeaceMeals will attend the next one.)
The focus of the session was external communications. That means what organisations share with the public. Singh made it clear from the start that effective communication is no longer optional for community groups. It’s essential. And it starts with understanding the tools already at your disposal.
“Most of us don’t have an intranet or internal comms setup,” she said. “So we’ll keep it practical: websites, newsletters, media releases, and social media.” The workshop gave participants a realistic, no-nonsense guide to improving how they present themselves online. No marketing jargon. No technical overkill. Just the stuff that works.
Websites, Singh explained, are your front door. They must be simple, mobile-friendly, and regularly updated. “Tabs should say exactly what they mean. If you have five events, call the tab ‘Events’. Don’t make people guess,” she advised. She encouraged everyone to prioritise clarity over flash. Ensure your website and publications are mobile friendly, as “that’s where most people read now—on their phones and tablets.”
From there, the conversation moved to newsletters. Short. Snappy. Scannable. Singh stressed that community updates should aim for 25 to 35 words per block, with direct links to more detail on the organisation’s website. “Treat your reader like a smart 12-year-old,” she said with a smile. “Keep it simple, and they’ll come back.”
Participants were shown real-world examples from Singh’s work, including a feature on new council members that went viral within a niche network. Why? Because it featured real people, and those people shared it. That’s how community stories travel: person to person.
The session also explored magazines and media releases. While Singh acknowledged that not every group has the capacity for a regular publication, she showed how even small updates could be turned into engaging content with the right structure and a visual touch. She walked through the 5W+1H format (Who, What, When, Where, Why and How) and explained that press releases should aim for clarity, not cleverness. “You’re not writing the story for journalists. You’re giving them enough reason to call you.”
Throughout the hour-long session, the tone was honest and conversational. Challenges weren’t sugar-coated. Small community groups often struggle with time, funding, and technical expertise. “We’re all stretched,” Singh said. “But small improvements go a long way.”
The session wrapped up with practical advice on visual storytelling and the growing importance of platforms like Instagram. Attendees spoke about the generational divide between audiences on Facebook and those on TikTok and Instagram. They discussed how organisations need to bridge that gap if they want to remain relevant.
This training program is part of a broader initiative by The Indian Sun, aimed at equipping volunteers, leaders, and staff from Indian community organisations across Victoria with media skills that matter. With sessions like these, both online and in person, the goal is to build a more connected, confident and capable community media presence.
Thanks to funding support from the Victorian Government, these conversations are happening in the spaces where they’re needed most.
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