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LogoutAll effective communication begins with knowing your audience and speaking their language – both literally and figuratively. That doesn’t mean changing your core messages, but rather adjusting the way you present them or the context you offer to help explain those messages in a way that resonates most directly with the people to whom you are speaking. Sometimes that is much harder than it sounds because audiences can vary greatly, whether across a team or an entire organization. So where should you begin?
STEP 1: Determine who your audience is.
You might start by making a list of the various groups that form your audience for an upcoming presentation or a memo that you’re writing. Don’t limit this list. Make sure you consider all aspects of your audience, including peers and those to whom you report, if that applies.
Think about the different segments of your audience and specifically:
what they have in common, and
where they differ.
STEP 2: Consider what is on their minds.
Put yourself in their shoes and think about how they view your topic and what they care about. Looking at the world through their eyes will help you develop an effective message and deliver it in ways that will make your audience more likely to listen, engage and act.
STEP 3: Think about what you need them to know.
While it is absolutely critical that you adjust your messages and means of communication to your audience, that doesn’t mean you should lose sight of what you need them to know. Remember your core messages and make sure you are clearly and effectively incorporating them into your communication, while simultaneously packaging them in a way that will best meet your audience where they are.
STEP 4: Think about what you need them to think, feel or do based on what you tell them.
More than just passing along information, effective communication should inform, engage, and inspire listeners or readers. Keep that in mind when you are crafting your next speech or memo. Ask yourself what you want the audience to remember as a result of what you have said. Are you calling them to take action of any kind? Is that “ask” clearly conveyed and repeated for emphasis? The most effective communication moves people to action, and many times we need to ask for what we want!
STEP 5: Decide the best means of communicating this information.
As a child, we’re often reminded “there’s a time and a place” for that (whatever the activity may be). That adage holds true for effective communication as well.
When considering setting and format, if you are sharing news about a major change, perhaps that is best done in a town hall or team meeting to allow for face-to-face dialogue. If you’re passing on regular updates that people need to know, but likely won’t elicit concern, then consider a memo or regular e-newsletter, depending on the channels you have available. The more complex the message, the more you need a face-to-face-like setting.
STEP 6: Ask yourself how you can best relate to your audience and motivate them to take action.
Now we’re getting down to the heart of knowing your audience. Look back at your audience list and their mindset. Think about a story that you could tell that they might relate to, or a way you could relate back how their actions will have a broader impact on the company as a whole. This is your chance to add relevancy to what you’re saying and leave them with a memorable call to action.