1. Audience: Internal communication is directed towards individuals within the organization, such as employees, managers, and executives. It focuses on sharing information, updates, and instructions within the company. External communication, on the other hand, is directed towards individuals outside the organization, such as customers, suppliers, investors, and the general public. It focuses on building relationships, promoting the brand, and sharing information with external stakeholders.
2. Purpose: The purpose of internal communication is to facilitate collaboration, coordination, and alignment within the organization. It helps employees stay informed, engaged, and motivated to achieve common goals. External communication, on the other hand, is focused on building and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders. It aims to promote the organization's products or services, enhance its reputation, and attract new customers or investors.
3. Channels: Internal communication typically takes place through various channels within the organization, such as emails, meetings, intranet, newsletters, and internal social media platforms. It is often more formal and structured to ensure that important information is effectively communicated to employees. External communication, on the other hand, uses a variety of channels to reach external stakeholders, such as press releases, social media, advertising, public relations, and events. It is often more tailored and targeted to specific audiences to ensure that the organization's message is effectively communicated and well-received.