I recently shared an article on The Power of Process. It talked about having a focused, consistent process to improve your speaking performance. I also introduced the 10-step process used in my Communication Success: Beginnings course. In an ongoing series of articles, I will go into the details of each step. You can read about Step 1: Determine Your Topic here and Step 2: Define your Purpose here. This article is on Step 3: Outline Your Strategy.
Your how
Now that you’ve developed your topic, your “what,” and you’ve dug in and thought about your “why,” the purpose or value you’re creating, it’s time to take the next step: Outline Your Strategy.
This is your “how.” How you are going to achieve your purpose. If you think about it, a good strategy for communication success is found in the three E’s.
First, how will you ENGAGE your audience? That is, how will you hold their attention so they actively listen to you?
Next is how will you EMPOWER your audience? Not just inform your audience, but give them the tools, the direction and support they need to act.
And how will you ENERGIZE your audience? How will you motivate them to act right now?
Achieving the 3-Es begins with understanding your audience.
I always think about this quote from the 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln. He said: “When I’m getting ready to reason with a man, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I’m going to say, and two thirds thinking about him and what he is going to say.”
What is it that you audience wants to say? What does your audience know about your topic? How do they feel about it? What can you share that they don’t know?
What’s in it for the audience?
A great way to think about your audience is to ask: What’s the WIIFTA? What’s In It For The Audience?
You’ve heard of WIIFY, what’s in it for you, and WIIFM, what’s in it for me. WIIFTA shifts your perspective from you and what you want to say, to your audience and what they need to hear.
It’s the Purpose, right? Your audience needs to hear your conclusions. They need to hear your vision for the future. They need to hear what you want from them, what you want them to think, feel, and do.
Engage. Empower. Energize.
What is your strategy to Engage, Empower, and Energize your next audience? This plan will help you with the fourth step of the process: Develop Your Messages.
Are you ready to take your communication skills to the next level? Let’s schedule a call to discuss your needs and begin improving the results you achieve from every speech, presentation, and conversation.