Messages are everywhere. Some can get to the point in just a few words, like a slogan. Others take more time, whether it’s an email memo, resume, or job posting. So how do you make the most of the types of words that you use? How do you immediately answer the question, “What’s your point?” in a message that is clear and impactful?
We are bombarded by messages, every second of every day. Which do we pay attention to the most? Do we pay attention to the professor who’s droning on without noticing that students aren’t listening to a word they’re saying?
It’s the messages that grab your attention that are the most impactful. Sure, the message might be simple, and echo a lot of what is already out there, but you can be certain that they are impactful because they are packaged in a way that is easy to digest, and memorable.
When writing your message, you will wonder, how can you grab your audience’s attention when no one wants to pay attention to you?
In this blog post I will suggest several ways to get your point across so that your message is clear, impactful, and memorable.
1. Why no one is paying attention
If you find that you are not getting engagement with your message, there may be several reasons why no one is paying attention. For example, your message is too vague. Or, your message is too cliched, and not new.
Other reasons as to why you’re not getting your message across are:
You’re not clear on what you want to say.
You don’t know how to say it.
You don’t know why you’re saying it.
To solve these problems, really examine what, why, and how you want to say it. What is your intention? Every message needs a purpose and intention, or there’s no point in saying it.
Sometimes you are trying to communicate what you are trying to say, but run into the frustration of not getting your meaning or point across in the best way possible.
You could be crafting a script for your sales pitch, or trying to get your brand messaging perfect.
2. Less is more
The most famous slogans are short and to the point. There are numerous examples.
Ever see your audience nod off after your opening lines, or have your reader glance at your article without reading it? It may be because you are using extra words that obscure the point. Solve this problem by using fewer words. Use the minimum amount of words you can get away with while still getting your point across.
Pithy is the word.
Unless you’re writing some sort of oeuvre with a lot of flourishes, bypass the rhetoric. It would be best to hone down the main key words for more impact. Don’t bury your meaning underneath extra words.
It makes the reader have to work hard to find your hidden meaning, and by then they would’ve given up if they haven’t figured it out and moved onto the next shiny new thing. People aren’t going to dig deep to find your meaning because it’s too much work for them. That’s why you have to be straightforward and state it plainly and clearly.
3. Is your message garbled?
When your message is garbled, it’s like playing a game of broken telephone. No one can understand what you’re saying so they ignore you and move on to the next thing.
To cut through the noise and static, say what you want to say, but only give yourself ten to twenty seconds to say it. If you limit the time you have in front of your audience, it forces you to cut out anything else that doesn’t drive your point home. Meandering or rambling messages are ineffective. Your audience is left wondering, why should I care?
4. Why should I care?
That’s why messages that are the most impactful draw upon the empathy of your audience. For your audience to be empathic, your message has to be relatable. You must guide your audience towards your message by using emotions and feelings.
You must be engaging to make your audience pay attention to you. To increase the impact of your message, use forceful and powerful words, but limit synonyms.
5. Have a logical outline
Always have a beginning, middle and end. Yes, your opening lines can start at the beginning or even the end, but always lead the listener back to the beginning and start properly from there. Without this outline, your audience is lost. It’s like wandering around in the dark without a roadmap or flashlight.
Choose your words carefully. Be concise. Make your point known right away, or as soon as possible. Don’t wear out your reader’s patience. Don’t wait until the middle of your message to let your reader know what it is that you want to talk about.
6. Your closing
In your closing, you should have a key takeaway message. The takeaway message must be clear so that there’s no confusion about what you want your audience to do after listening to you to the end.
The takeaway message must be memorable and actionable.
Tie it up with a take home message. Your closing should refer back to your opening and answer the question, what’s your point?