Viva Engage (formerly Yammer) has become a vital communication platform for organizations aiming to foster community, transparency, and engagement. Featuring a conversation effectively within Viva Engage can boost visibility, encourage participation, and help share important updates or ideas. This listicle guides you through the best practices and key considerations for highlighting conversations in Viva Engage, whether you’re a community manager, team lead, or employee looking to maximize your message’s impact.
1. Pin Important Conversations to the Top
Pinning a conversation ensures it remains visible at the top of a group or community feed. This feature is especially useful for announcements, deadlines, or critical updates that need ongoing visibility. To pin a conversation, click the ellipsis (…) on the post and select “Pin to Top,” making sure everyone in the community sees it first when they visit the group.
2. Use Announcements for Highlighted Conversations
Viva Engage allows you to mark posts as “Announcements,” giving them a special badge and prominence within the group. Announcements are ideal for company-wide updates or strategic messages that you want to stand out. They also notify members directly, increasing the chances of engagement and response.
3. Share Conversations Across Channels
Cross-posting or sharing conversations to other channels or Microsoft Teams helps amplify important discussions. Use the “Share” feature to distribute a conversation link or excerpt, ensuring that even members who aren’t active in Viva Engage see the message. This approach is especially effective for integrating discussions with broader project or departmental updates.
4. Create Conversation Highlights and Summaries
Summarizing key conversations into digestible highlights can increase engagement. Use the “Highlight” feature to feature a conversation in your group’s feed or create a curated post that captures the main points and links back to the full discussion. This technique encourages those who missed the original to catch up and participate.
5. Use Visuals and Media to Draw Attention
Adding images, videos, or GIFs to your featured conversation can make it more engaging and eye-catching. Visual content not only attracts more viewers but also helps convey tone and context more effectively. When featuring a conversation, consider including relevant media to enhance its appeal and encourage interaction.
6. Leverage Notifications and Email Digests
Encourage members to turn on notifications for important conversations or to subscribe to email digests that include featured discussions. This ensures that key messages reach members directly, increasing the likelihood of participation. Regular reminders or prompts can help keep conversations top of mind.
7. Use Tags and Keywords for Searchability
Applying relevant tags and keywords to conversations improves their discoverability in Viva Engage’s search function. Well-tagged conversations can be easily found later, making it easier for new members or those who missed the initial post to catch up. Consistent tagging practices also help categorize discussions for future reference.
8. Engage with Interactive Features
Utilize polls, reactions, and comments within featured conversations to foster interaction. Highlighted conversations that include polls or questions tend to generate more responses and visibility. Engaging actively with comments also encourages others to join the discussion.
9. Schedule Conversations for Optimal Timing
Timing is critical for maximizing visibility. Use scheduling tools or plan posts during peak activity hours in your organization. Featuring a conversation at the right time increases the chance that it will be seen and engaged with, especially if aligned with ongoing projects or events.
10. Monitor Engagement Metrics
Track views, reactions, comments, and shares to evaluate the effectiveness of your featured conversations. Viva Engage provides analytics that help you understand what resonates with your audience. Use these insights to refine your approach and feature conversations more strategically in the future.
How to Choose
When selecting which conversation to feature, consider its relevance, timeliness, and potential impact. Prioritize discussions that align with organizational goals or foster community engagement. Also, assess the conversation’s clarity and quality—featuring well-structured, respectful, and constructive discussions yields better engagement and positive perception.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feature multiple conversations at once?
While Viva Engage doesn’t support featuring multiple conversations simultaneously in a single spot, you can create a curated post or newsletter that highlights several discussions over time.
How do I make sure everyone sees the featured conversation?
Pinning the conversation, marking it as an announcement, and sharing it across channels or via email digests are effective ways to maximize visibility for your audience.
Is it possible to schedule featured conversations?
Yes, you can schedule posts or announcements ahead of time using tools like Microsoft Planner or third-party scheduling integrations, ensuring your featured content appears at optimal times.
What role do visuals play in featuring a conversation?
Visuals attract attention, make posts more engaging, and help convey the message more effectively. Including relevant images or videos can significantly boost engagement with featured conversations.
How can I measure the success of featuring a conversation?
Monitor engagement metrics such as views, reactions, comments, and shares within Viva Engage analytics. These insights help gauge the conversation’s reach and impact.
Final Thoughts
Featuring conversations effectively in Viva Engage involves strategic use of pinning, announcements, visuals, timing, and engagement tools. By thoughtfully selecting which discussions to highlight and employing best practices, you can foster a more connected, informed, and active organizational community. Remember, the goal is not just visibility but encouraging meaningful participation that drives organizational goals forward.
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