When it comes to relating to others in business (AND LIFE), effective communication is the single most important skill you can develop.
As Fundamental As Your ABCs
Whether preparing to sell something, share a story with family or talk to your team – it’s the same foundation.
Effective communication is the secret weapon to creating the business you need and want. And it’s governed by two fundamental rules.
The first one is simple, but often ignored.
RULE #1 ~ You're not the hero, your audience is
Recognize that when you speak or write for your business, it’s not about you. It’s about your audience. So, respect them and the message they need and want to hear from you. Because your strongest position is always going to be from an audience-centered conversation. You only get a few seconds down here to do it right. In other words, do the work to share a story that means something to you AND your audience by understanding:
- who they really are
- what they need and want and
- how to earn more time from them.
In business (and all relationships) it’s not just about you. It’s about the people listening to you too. Their attention is a gift. And it’s your job to connect the dots, so your audience doesn’t have to work so hard to understand your main point.
Here’s my main point:
Rule #1 for effective communication in business is deliver a people-centered message because you are NOT the hero, your audience is. And that means you speak their language and you speak to their needs first.
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Now, about that second rule: it takes a little more effort in the beginning, but it pays off in the end.
RULE #2 ~ Write your message first, then design
Always create your core message before you create anything else. In other words: Write first. Design second. Why? Because after you understand the heart of your message everything else becomes easier to create. To be crystal clear:
- Before you pay for graphic design or layout work, you need to craft the message.
- Before you mass produce that big speech in front of your staff, investors, contractors or future clients, you need to write your core message.
- Before your next family meeting, they need you to create a clear and concise message.
A clear message comes first. A clear message eliminates rambling, double talk and confusion. A clear message is a powerhouse move.
Here’s my main point:
Write your business story before you start designing. And at the least that means you write the short description that summarizes your most important message.
This bite-sized description comes before you design a business card, a website, a postcard, or anything. Always get clear about the heart of your message — first.
Next Steps
These two communication rules cover the basics. They're like building blocks. So let’s go a little deeper.
I’ve been providing and building communication training for the past fifteen years. And from both successes and failures I’ve learned the power of storyTelling your business. Getting beyond the stiff, perfect, corporate language and sharing the heart of the matter.
What if you could learn the 6 Creative Laws for StoryTelling Your Business — quickly (and for free)? If you’re interested in exposing the writing process in a way that will give you confidence in how you talk about your business, then download, WRITE NOW!, and have a listen.
WRITE NOW! ~ Learn them once. Use them often.
As for me, I use the WRITE NOW Laws everyday for business and for play. Simple. Effective. Game-changers.
Talk soon ~
Jamillah, The Poet
P.S. Click here to get your FREE audio session PLUS access to SOUNDBITE, the newsletter with all the best communication tips and trends in the least amount of words.