Here's Your Sign - Grab Audience's Attention with Effective Communication Strategy
How to Write Your Message for Maximum Engagement
Are Your Signs Clear, Relevant, & Consistent to Your Audience?
Every weekend, now that it's delightful weather in Phoenix, the signs come out for yard and estate sales.
I am blessed (really?) with the placement of one of those A-frame signs on my property.
It kind of irks me.
I wonder if these signs are legal.
The City of Phoenix government website has a list of what's considered illegal, including the placement of A-signs.
But what about your content? Are your signs clear, relevant, and consistent for your audiences?
Grab your audience’s attention.
Here's why it's important to say yes.
1. Provide clear messaging. The content should be at a level that your audience can relate to. For example, if you’re writing to a class of 5th graders, write at that level. However, if you’re providing an article to a group of college students who are familiar with your topic, then that is the level you should be addressing.
2. Your message should be relevant. What does that mean? If you scan a dictionary, it will define the word and tell you that the content is appropriate or connected to the subject. Next on the list is consistency.
3. Whatever tone and voice you start with at the beginning of your article should continue all the way to the end.
Clarity in formatting
The next effective communication strategy is very important to keep from losing the reader’s attention.
4. Your formatting should be easy to read. One of the worst things you can do is to write long, boring. I have a mentor who says if the material is too long, he won’t read it. Break up those paragraphs to be no more than three to four sentences to ensure they are mobile-responsive. Using transition words will also allow your audience to follow along easily.
A combination of subheadings, bullet points, numbered lists, and other techniques can all provide clarity in your structure.
5. Images, infographics, and videos can all serve you in good stead. In addition, inserting tables can grab your audience’s attention and provide useful information. Now, let’s see what the next way to grab your audience’s attention is.
Truth or fiction
6. This section introduces the importance of accuracy and reliability. If you use AI generative text, verify that the facts given are accurate and that the AI didn’t have a moment of hallucination. Likewise, you want to make sure that your references are credible. Finally, don’t let Grammarly tell you what you should write. You be the judge on what is right or wrong.
7. Next on our list is audience engagement. You have a prime opportunity to encourage your readers to relate to your content and you. There are several ways you can do this. Examples are polls, calls-to-action, questions, and comments. Grab your audience’s attention and respond with friendliness. Show them you care. Once you respond to them, it proves you are responsive, and their input is valuable.
The platform you use matters.
8. Equally important in your effective communication strategy is the platform you are writing on. In particular, say you are writing on Substack and want to use a curse word to emphasize it. That’s okay. However, that would not be appropriate for Medium. Every platform has different rules and policies. For the most part, your readers are likely aware of that also.
Let’s review.
If you are a writer, you must be ahead of your competition. And there is a lot of competition out there.
Just as you might use a well-placed sign to advertise a yard sale, you must ensure you have an effective communication strategy. We have discussed several ways to ensure your content is clear, relevant, and consistent.
From your ability to grab your audience’s attention to the formatting of your content, the credibility you build, and the platforms you use, your audience needs to come first. You are responsible for fostering relationships and driving meaningful engagement. Take your readers through a delightful and exciting journey.
Tell them in your own special way, “Here’s your sign.” Now, go grab your audience’s attention.
"A combination of subheadings, bullet points, numbered lists, and other techniques can all provide clarity in your structure." Thank you I'll be trying this!!