Greetings!
Sometimes, participants in my workshops on communications or public speaking tell me they're surprised that the first thing they should think about is their audience--not what they want to say. So this issue is all about your audience. Whether you're using social media, traditional public relations or public speaking to get to an audience, you'll find information and ideas to help you figure out who's in your audience--and how to reach them effectively.
And since you're my audience, please let me know what you'd like to see in future issues of this newsletter, at info@dontgetcaught.biz.
Sincerely,
President |
| How to 'Get' Your Audience: 6 Ways
New Ways to Engage Instead of Pushing Information at Them |
 It's a basic part of communications theory: Audiences should be your first consideration when planning to communicate. But what does that mean today, with shorter attention spans, information overload and all the new and social media methods available? Try don't get caught's six paths to make sure you 'get' -- and reach -- your audience:
- Treat 'em like Springsteen fans: From taking requests to special content and in-depth resources, Bruce is a master of audience engagement, and here are 5 ways you can put his tactics to work for your organization.
- Copy a public space: I went to the FDR Memorial in Washington, DC, to show how speakers--just like this public space--can best connect with their audiences, part of the online coaching I'm doing with Stephanie Benoit.
- Give the audience power tools: Giving your audience tools like laser pointers or just a theme they can repeat on-camera can help them play an active role in your speech or on your website.
- Profile the readers of your writing: Don't just write for your readers, write up a profile of each different type of reader you have. It's an exercise that will help focus your writing.
- Don't pepper them with bullets: Slides full of bullet points don't help your audience absorb your information. Find out the science behind this important fact for presenters.
- Let them take the wheel: My client UMBC encourages student bloggers to write about campus food and share their pictures, video and tweets on 2 special social-media sites. It's a great case study on letting your audience take the wheel and drive the content they want to see.
UMBC's efforts grew out of a social media retreat and training session I helped facilitate for them earlier this year. Does your company or group need to strategize your approach to audiences? Contact me at info@dontgetcaught.biz for information and ideas on training, strategy development and communications retreat facilitation. |
