When somebody dies, it is customary to notify people who would want to know, so they can be aware of the person's passing, find out the time and place of memorial services, and be told how to offer condolences to family and friends of the deceased.

Notification should be done in a way that is most likely to reach those people swiftly. Simply posting a notice on Facebook is not the way to achieve that.

When a co-worker dies, use whatever method is most effective for informing people in the office and in the organization.

For everybody else, call them. Those closest to the deceased can call some people and ask them to call others. Yes, you can post on Facebook or LinkedIn, print a newspaper and online obituary, send emails, and announce the event in other venues, to reach a wider audience.

But you should still call the people who are most affected. You'll be able to communicate with them more quickly, better convey the seriousness of the event, and ensure they will know what has happened. Don't wait for them to read about it somewhere.

Facebook posts do not replace personal contact.

Don't do these things if you are presenting a slide show.

The Chair of an Association board broadcast a message to the members on YouTube.

He sat at his desk and spoke directly into the camera atop his computer monitor.

He wasn't coached. He didn't read from a script. It wasn't flashy. And he did not display very much charisma. He just talked to the members.

And they loved it.

They were delighted he took the time to tell them, personally (sort of), what was going on in the association. They appreciated his sincerity.

And they were impressed with his use of social media, even though most of them were not regular users and some had never before viewed an online video.

The broadcast worked because he knew how to talk to his audience.

Many association members don't read everything they are sent. Quite a few don't read anything they are sent. And many who do read, try to read quickly.

So, like everything else, know your audiences and deliver the information they want, in the way they want it.

Here's what to do if they don't want to be burdened with a lot of reading:

1. Present information as concisely as possible.
2. Use brief (very brief) headers.
3. Lead with the main point. Don't bury it in the middle of a communication and definitely do not save it for the end.
4. Use a lot of line breaks.
5. Avoid long paragraphs.
6. Break up copy with headers and/or images.
7. Use words that people understand.
8. Avoid professional jargon if your audience includes people outside your industry or profession.
9. Don't send digital info to people who want print.
10. And don't send print to those who want digital.

Don't force your members to read lots and lots of pages, documents, and (heavens, no) books. They won't. Expecting them to read too much will just make each of you more annoyed with the other.

When recording your voicemail message, instruct callers to speak slowly and clearly so you can hear their names and telephone numbers. Tell them to spell out email addresses so they'll be understood.

Don't worry about sounding too stern or commanding. It's necessary.

Too many people speak quickly and their messages are unintelligible. Others speak normally but then speed through their names and contact information. Later, they wonder why their calls weren't returned.

If you don't tell people to speak more clearly, they won't.

If you have a LinkedIn page, you probably already know this, but yesterday, the company changed its format to focus more attention on interactivity, and less on self-promotion.

It was a reminder that the site is meant for networking more than it is for resume posting.

There was a time when an organization spokesperson would smugly comment, "say what you want, just spell the name right."

Not anymore.

Here are some tips for managing negative public relations.

It's OK to read from a teleprompter, floor screen, tablet, or even a typed (or handwritten) text.

Just don't look like you are reading.

When reading from a teleprompter or cue cards that are positioned above, or next to, a camera, look at the camera lens, not at the script. Make eye contact with the viewers.

When reading from a teleprompter, speak as if you are not reading.

When reading from a tablet or a typed or handwritten text (if you must), look up more than you look down. Speak the words that are written, don't read them.

Most people do not excel at speaking extemporaneously. But speaking that way seems more genuine, more sincere, and more heartfelt. It suggests you really know what you are talking about and that you really care about it.

So, at least learn how to look like that is what you are doing.

An association solicited a speaker for a major conference but never confirmed the person's availability or fee. Still, the conference program listed that person as a speaker, despite there being no contract and no discussion of presentation arrangements.

A hospital budgeted the wrong amount to pay an association for services. Institution staff were embarrassed by their error and loathe to admit the mistake to their supervisors. So they ignored the invoice when it arrived and did not return calls inquiring about payment.

An association postponed a panel discussion at the last minute and asked the speakers when they would be available for a rescheduled event. A new date was selected, but without first confirming with the speakers, one of whom was not available.

An association applied for meeting space for a 16-week program but never confirmed the booking. Organization staff "assumed" the space was available because nobody from the property called to say it wasn't. It was later found that rooms were not available and the program had to be moved to another location.

Don't be afraid to talk to people. Call with good news or bad news. Finalize programs, arrangements, and anything else that needs to be taken care of. Correct misconceptions and don't try to conceal errors. Never "assume" anything. If you don't have a written or verbal confirmation, then the activity is not confirmed.

Don't be afraid that someone or something you were counting on won't be available. That will happen whether or not you talk to them. It's better to find out about it sooner, rather than later.

So, I presented at a training workshop and was never given the evaluation results. But I have received notices of all subsequent workshops.

Perhaps, that is the organization's way of keeping me informed of its activities. But I have no intention of signing up for any of these sessions, so there is no point telling me about them.

If the group wants to keep former presenters involved, it should have a vehicle that is of value to former presenters. And it should give feedback about presentations.