When it comes to getting your message heard, the key is to command your audience’s attention and then keep their attention with a message that appeals to them.

These communications can be written, verbal, and even non-verbal, and it’s your job as the message giver to deliver the message in a way that it’s understood by your audience.

Here Are 8 Keys To Getting Your Message Heard:

Understand and Like Your Audience

Even if you are part of your own target audience, it’s important to get out of your own way and conduct real audience research to ensure that you know who they are, outside of your subjective experiences. (I’ve made this mistake…more than once!  Not everybody thinks like I do…go figure!)

Conduct a poll; ask questions; go where they go such as social media, forums, mastermind groups and so forth so that you can really listen to the needs of your audience. If your content expresses a true understanding of your audience’s needs, they’re more likely to understand and hear your message.

Let the Audience Know What You Want

One of the most important parts of your message is your call to action (CTA). If you don’t know what the point of your message is, your audience can’t be expected to know either. Be very specific about your CTA within your message so that there is no misunderstanding about your point.

It’s also important to have only ONE CTA in each message.  When there’s more than one CTA in a message, such as “Like and comment on this video, follow me on Facebook, and check out my website…” You know what happens when there are multiple CTAs in a message?  Your audience is confused and they don’t take ANY action.  (And we want our audience to take action, right?)

Spell Out Definitions of Terms

In order to get your audience on the on the same page as you, and to help further your message, be sure to spell out ambiguous terms within your content and avoid jargon. Don’t assume that everyone understands what you’re saying. Instead, always fill in the gaps to ensure that your audience knows what you mean when you say a particular word.

Repeat Important Points

Remember those high school essays that you wrote, and the speeches that you gave? You likely remember, if you give it some thought, your teacher lecturing about the idea of repetition. You’ve heard it said to “tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, and tell them what you just told them”. This works especially well with harder to understand concepts.

Another reason you want to repeat important points is because usually a message isn’t heard until your audience has heard it multiple times.

Be Honest

This should be obvious…but you’d be surprised how often honesty is overlooked.  In advertising there is a term called “puffery”; which means to exaggerate the effectiveness of a product or service to try to get across a particular message to the audience. While this practice is acceptable and legal in advertising, it’s better not to do this when it comes to blogging and monetizing your blog. Instead, practice complete, straightforward honesty.

Check Your Facts

Keep trust alive by double-checking any facts that you provide your audience. This is especially important if you hire a ghostwriter, or use PLR without knowing if you’re using a good source. It’s not that people purposely deliver the wrong information, but having double-checking your facts will benefit you in the long run, and it’s a good journalistic practice you should follow.

Write Like You Talk

Don’t try to be someone you’re not when communicating with your audience. Write your blog posts like you talk, and when you make videos, just be your authentic self. Whatever content you provide to your audience needs to represent who you are to the best of your ability.

And the #1 Key to Getting Your Message Heard?

When it comes to getting your message heard, the most important thing you can do is to take a stand.  Take a side.  Polarize your audience.  Sure, you’ll eliminate those that don’t agree with your message…but your message will resonate loud and clear with those that do agree…and those are the people who will be your raving fans and best customers.  Don’t try to please everybody with your messaging, because a “middle of the road” message doesn’t command attention and will be ignored.

Now that you know the keys to getting your message heard, I’m curious:  What does your brand stand for?