You're in the middle of designing and developing a new internal certificate program for your employees. To make sure you get learners to sign up, you also will need to develop a communication and marketing plan as part of the process.

"You'll want to provide the organization with an introduction and share highlights and updates on your progress, then formally communicate and market the program following the pilot," writes Sara Bushman, author of the February 2013 Infoline, "Creating an Internal Certificate Program."

Once you've developed your plan and the course schedule, here are six ways to get the word out and drum up interest in your program:

• Give the certificate program a catchy title or theme.

• Announce the program in the company newsletter.

• Hold a training open house to showcase the certificate program.

• Attend department staff meetings to market and describe the program.

• Market the program on your organization's intranet.

• Create and distribute promotional trinkets, such as mouse pads or notepads, with the certificate program's name and logo.

These tips were adapted from the February 2013 Infoline, "Creating an Internal Certificate Program," by Sara Bushman. For more information, go to www.astd.org/infoline.