Overview
People from many different backgrounds live, work and play in Minneapolis. They are our website audience.
When we speak to our audience, our voice is inclusive, conversational and service-driven.
Related links:
People from many different backgrounds live, work and play in Minneapolis. They are our website audience.
When we speak to our audience, our voice is inclusive, conversational and service-driven.
Related links:
Our primary audience is residents and potential residents.
Their goals:
Quickly access the information and services they need to live, work and play in Minneapolis.
Our secondary audience is business owners (small and large) and potential business owners
Their goals:
Our third audience is the media, visitors to the city and City employees.
Their goals:
We want to keep our messages as simple as possible. When we do this, we make it easier for our website visitors to access information and connect with the City.
We are the most diverse city in the state, and with that comes the most responsibility. We must include everyone, no exceptions, in our content.
To make our content more accessible for all, write in a conversational tone.
Examples:
Minneapolis residents gave feedback on the vision in February. Then the City Council created a final version and approved it in March.
The adoption of the goals followed a public comment period in February when residents were asked to give their feedback on the draft vision, values, goals and strategic directions.
To best serve our website visitors, we:
Because we care about the people we’re creating content for, we:
We empathize with our website visitors and create content to support them.
Write in active voice instead of passive voice. Use a conversational tone. Imagine you’re talking to someone in person or over the phone, and write that way.
Examples:
The Super Bowl was hosted by the City of Minneapolis in 2018.
We hosted the Super Bowl in 2018.
Website visitors skim content to find what they’re looking for. Keep your writing brief.
We refer to ourselves as "we" and "our." We refer to the public as "you" and "your." This language makes us more approachable, friendly and human.
Examples:
The Super Bowl will be hosted by the City of Minneapolis in 2018. Events will take place in various locations around the city before and during the game. See the events calendar for details.
We’re hosting the Super Bowl in 2018. We'll have festivities before and during the big game. Here’s the calendar of events to help you start planning. We hope you’ll come out and join the fun!
Use plain language for all written content.
Examples:
When the process of freeing a vehicle that has been stuck results in ruts or holes, the operator will fill the rut or hole created by such activity before removing the vehicle from the immediate area.
If you create a hole while freeing a stuck vehicle, you must fill the hole before you drive away.
To keep our website clear and accessible for all website visitors, avoid: