Is it possible to write, design and project manage an annual report with ease? We let you in on our secrets to success

Your heart starts to beat faster as the panic sets in as the end of the financial year marches closer. Yes, it is that time of the year again – deadlines are looming for your annual report and you haven’t got a clue what to put in it.

Annual reports have the reputation of being hard work and time consuming.
But they are an important record of the triumphs, challenges, efforts and future areas of focus for many organisations.

Annual reports enable organisations to acknowledge and learn from their achievements, issues and financial analysis to progress projects and improve processes into the future.
But where do you start, what do you need to include and what framework do you need to use?

We have some tips that will help turn your annual report nightmare into a dream.

Good quality content

Thankfully, without realising it you have actually been recording information for your annual report for the past six months. Phew!

Media releases, briefings, speeches, newsletters, project updates and staff memos are all rich sources of content for the annual report.

Start with an existing framework that you use to report against each year – this could be a strategic plan, operating framework or a list of key performance indicators.

An annual report is not just about achievements, it is about the challenges too and the opportunities they created to work differently, put in extra effort or identify innovations.

Attention to detail

Proofread, proofread, proofread – you can have the most vibrant and engaging content, but if there are spelling errors or bad grammar, it could damage the organisation’s professional reputation.

Use the Australian Government Style Manual to ensure you use active and plain language.
Engage a proofreader or ask a colleague to read through the final draft as it is easier for someone who hasn’t read it before to pick up errors.

High resolution images

They may seem like a ‘nice to have’ add on, but good quality images are crucial to creating a professional, engaging and relevant annual report.

Start collecting photos early in the year to avoid a mad scramble at the end of the year when you have forgotten whether something happened in June or July.

And don’t forget to include people – everyone likes to see people from their organisation recognised in annual reports, whether it is for successes, new qualifications or career milestones.

Graphic design

Make it look good – good graphic design is crucial because in our world of quick communication, people are less likely to keep scrolling or turn pages if they are not engaged by the look and feel of the document.

Facts are important but they don’t have to be in words – use symbols or graphics to add another layer of meaning to the content.

Seamless project management

Engage a full service strategic communication agency (like True North!) to manage the writing, design and editing. We work to ensure it is a seamless process so that creating an annual report project is as easy and streamlined as possible.

We work with our clients to identify the most relevant and interesting insights and images to tell the story of their year in an annual report.

Working with our design partners, we focus on creating annual reports that look professional and are easy and engaging to read.

“Engage a full service strategic communication agency (like True North!) to manage the writing, design and editing. We work to ensure it is a seamless process so that creating an annual report project is as easy and streamlined as possible.”