The Secret to Effectively Communicating to Your Audiences

The Secret to Effectively Communicating to Your Audiences

The three little pigs, a three-ring circus, three Olympic medals, a three-piece suit, three Hanson brothers, a three-legged stool, the Trinity … good things come in three.
 

Our brains are wired to think in threes. For this reason, there is power in three – especially for organizations and leaders.


Understanding who you are and being able to communicate that to audiences in a clear, succinct way is necessary for any organization or leader. Doing so with three key messages is critical.
 

Why three?

In the age of information overload, it can be hard for audiences to comprehend everything. But, when an organization or leader emphasizes three main points with consistency, it sticks.


A classic example of this is when Ronald Reagan ran for president in 1980. He stuck to three main message points. He said that as president he would:

  1. Cut taxes
  2. Strengthen defense
  3. Balance the federal budget


Reagan didn’t shift from his three key points, and because of this, voters understood his message, and he won the election.
 

The Process

If you don’t have your three key messages defined, begin the process of doing so now. Here are three steps to take:

Thought.jpg
  1. Gather your team and throw everything you might want to say down on paper or a white board. Don’t be too analytical or critical. Instead, be as creative as possible.
     
  2. Next, come up with at least a full page of possible message points. Look at them all at once and then begin editing. Someone has to cut down your message into smaller segments. Better you than anyone else.
     
  3. Finally, look at all your brainstorming points and rank them in order of importance. Check the ones that seem absolutely essential. Cross some out and condense others. Keep scratching, connecting, questioning and checking until you identify your three main message points.


Each message point should be able to be communicated in 30 seconds or less.


Once you have your key messages identified and memorized, repetition is key. Pepper these throughout everything you do – you marketing, advertising, social media, website, interviews.


Before you know it, your audience will know your brand exactly how you want them to.