It’s World Book Day today and all this week I’ve been reflecting on the importance of communication in business. Getting your message out to the right people has never been more important and your potential clients want to know more about you. Why you do what you do and what it means for them. So how do you get clear about what you want to say, how do you cut through all the noise and how do you find the time to communicate well?
“The next message you need is always right where you are.” Ram Dass
How do you communicate?
We all have a story to tell and there are many benefits to sharing. When we communicate others learn but so do we. By reflecting on our experiences we are more likely to be able to spot patterns and learn. When we share our story it allows others to connect with us in a more meaningful way.
Business is about people. Of course it’s about solving problems and building a team and making money, but ultimately it all comes down to people. You and your client. You and your team. You and your investors, suppliers, partners…. Good communication is key to fostering relationships built on trust. As human beings we are all creatures of emotions and one of the ways we understand and learn is through stories.
Since the beginning of human history storytelling has allowed us to make sense of the world we live in and find deeper meaning in our lives. We tell stories all the time – to persuade, to explain and to inspire. Rational things like facts and figures don’t stick in our minds nearly as long as stories that we feel an emotional connection with. So how do you communicate in ways that feel authentic and true to you? How do you use stories to make you a better communicator?
Here are my Top 10 Tips:-
🌟 Choose a clear central message. Get clear one who your audience is and what message you want to share, and then find the best way to illustrate it.
🌟 Consider the context. What is happening in the world that illustrates your point. What will your audience be able to relate to?
🌟 Use your own experiences. Look at your own memories and life experiences to find what makes you believe what you are communicating.
🌟 Don’t be the hero. Making the audience the hero of your story will increase their engagement and willingness to buy into your message.
🌟 Embrace conflict. Good stories need to contain challenges to overcome. Rally your audience around the idea of overcoming adversity.
🌟 Have a clear structure. There are many different ways to structure a story but it must start with a catalyst, build to a climax and have a satisfying ending.
🌟 Narrow the scope. It’s not necessary to include every twist and turn. Stay true to the story arc you have chosen and trust your audience to follow.
🌟 Keep it simple. Less is always more in today’s busy world. Using a few well-placed details will help the audience connect with what you’re saying.
🌟 Engage your audience. Depending on your medium, think about how you can use your eyes, voice and tone to make the story compelling. .
🌟 Be authentic. If you don’t believe what you’re sharing, your audience will spot it a mile off. Share what you believe. Speak your truth.
It’s completely unrealistic to expect yourself to know everything or be able to do everything. Please be kind to yourself and if you’d like to talk through the choices you’re facing or any blockers in your business, let me know.
Lisa Zevi – April 2021