---
title: An Introduction to Employee Engagement Analytics
description: A quick guide helpful in better understanding the differences between reach, impressions and engagement in the world of internal communications.
image: https://www.backstitch.io/hubfs/employee_engagement_analytics.jpg
---

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<https://www.backstitch.io/blog/author/jordan-warzecha> by [Jordan Warzecha](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/author/jordan-warzecha)  on May 17, 2018 [Human Resources](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/topic/human-resources) [Employee Engagement](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/topic/employee-engagement) [HR Documents](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/topic/hr-documents)

# An Introduction to Employee Engagement Analytics

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Reach, Impressions & Engagement — these terms once foreign outside of marketing departments are now commonly used when talking about everything from internal emails to training videos.

I hope you find this quick guide helpful in better understanding *exactly* what these [important measurements](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/3-reasons-why-you-should-track-employee-engagement-analytics) mean and how to start thinking of them for your own communications and measuring your own employee engagement.

### **Reach**

![Teaching HR to Sales, IT and Management](https://www.backstitch.io/hs-fs/hubfs/employee_reach.jpg?width=300&name=employee_reach.jpg)The size of your entire audience that you will be sending your message out to *(and in a perfect world everyone that might hear you!).*

Think of your **reach** as your highest *potential* *opportunity* to get your message out and in front of folks!

*Tip: Selecting a smaller reach can a lot of times yield a better outcome as you’re being more selective as to who will most likely pay attention.*

### **Impressions**

![Getting attention versus distraction](https://www.backstitch.io/hs-fs/hubfs/employee_impressions.jpg?width=250&name=employee_impressions.jpg)This is how many times your message has *actually* been seen, letting you know that someone has taken notice versus ignored what you’re trying to say.

Sometimes referred to as *views or opens*; **impressions** are a great indicator that some group is taking notice!

*Tip: Look at the story that your impressions are telling; is your audience viewing your message an average of 2 to 3 times? Use this information to audit your reach to maximize your impressions ÷ reach!*

### **Engagements**

![Clicking a button.](https://www.backstitch.io/hs-fs/hubfs/employee_engagement.jpg?width=170&name=employee_engagement.jpg)With every message you send there should *almost always be a clear and highlighted* “Call to Action” or outcome that you desire.

**Engagements **are a record that this call to action has actually taken place.

This could be that someone clicked a button or link, answered a survey question, or even sent a reply.

*Tip: Before you start writing try and think about [what engagement you’d like](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/how-to-write-engaging-copy-for-hr-and-benefits-communicators) from your message and be sure to select an appropriate reach to maximize the highest engagement possible!*

![What's the difference between Total vs Unique metrics](https://www.backstitch.io/hs-fs/hubfs/total_vs_unique.jpg?width=962&name=total_vs_unique.jpg)

When discussing analytics around content, typically you’ll hear about the “Total” vs “Unique” for impressions & engagement.

**Unique** = How many individual people saw (or engaged) with your message.

**Total** = How many times those individuals as a whole saw (or engaged) with your message.

*Example: You had 100 unique people that viewed a message 300 total times means that on average each individual looked at our message 3 times.*

*![Employee Engagement Funnel.  Reach, Impressions and Engagement](https://www.backstitch.io/hs-fs/hubfs/employee_engagement_funnel.jpg?width=400&name=employee_engagement_funnel.jpg)*

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### [Jordan Warzecha](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/author/jordan-warzecha)

CEO & Co-Founder of backstitch

[Follow me on Twitter](http://twitter.com/jwarzech)

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## [Implement Flexible Benefits Allowances for Your Workforce](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/flexible-benefits-allowances)

<https://www.backstitch.io/blog/flexible-benefits-allowances>

<https://www.backstitch.io/blog/skills-and-tools-for-trs-professionals>

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<https://www.backstitch.io/blog/skills-and-tools-for-trs-professionals>

<https://www.backstitch.io/blog/preparing-employees-for-benefit-cost-sharing>

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## [Preparing Employees for Benefit Cost Sharing](https://www.backstitch.io/blog/preparing-employees-for-benefit-cost-sharing)

<https://www.backstitch.io/blog/preparing-employees-for-benefit-cost-sharing>

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