The terms under which we choose to listen
For the time span of the following post, envision your message, as if it was a product…
We all know that we can never force others into listening to what we have to say.
So whenever you have something relevant to tell the world, the crucial goal for you to reach, would be helping your audience to choose to listen to you.
Here's why: When you want people to listen to you, you require them to act your way.
But we know that people only act after they have decided that they want to act.
So it always goes their way.
Are you talking to the right audience?
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Your audience is always searching for answers and it decides, whether it wants to be your audience, or not.
Why did you choose that audience?
Why would that audience choose you?
The thing that separates your complete audience into groups is the following question that people ask themselves before deciding to listen: What do I need to know right now?
Right now, you wouldnâ019t want me to start talking to you about the water availability near you, would you?
When your message stays available, it will be a permanent option.
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You might never know what people think before they do, but you can try...
If your message is brilliant, the chances are likely, that the same audience that obviously ignored you yesterday could care about your content today.
It all depends on the questions that are being asked by your current recipients.
Yesterday, your answers just didnâ019t match the questions that where being brought up.
So find out what the timeless questions are, and prepare your best answers.
Keep these available at all times and then let your audience find you, because they decide when they want to listen.
How does your audience like to get talked to?
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Itâ019s not just what you say, but also how.
Just as in learning and teaching, everyone has their own unique way of talking and listening to people.
Knowing the listening preference of an audience is a key aspect in reaching an audience.
Some people learn better by reading and some learn better by teaching, thatâ019s why we have to adapt to these preferences.
Finding the proper tune and the proper messaging-format for each group is powerful because most people canâ019t agree with you, unless they understand your message without having to translate anything into their own understandable format.
Just remember: your audience will show you what the right format is, by either dropping you, or picking you up.
What place would your audience like to listen in?
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The place is crucial.
Where does your audience prefer to receive new information?
If the place you chose is loaded with negative associations or subtle reminders of negative experiences, itâ019s probably not the right place to deliver your message.
Find the place that your audience chose, and eliminate the negative associations by improving everything until itâ019s completely different in a better way.
How will your audience benefit from listening to you?
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The answers to the following questions are usually in the back of our minds before we choose to put some time and energy aside to give someone else a prominent stage.
What perceivable incentives can you offer, that would help you motivate your audience towards listening?
What perceivable reward can you offer to people after they have finished listening?
There are times when people need the stuff they want and want the stuff they need.
Thatâ019s why triggering actions that satisfy needs of people, is such a powerful method in gaining attention.
If the benefit sets in right after your audience is done listening, youâ019re likely to get loyalty through positive behavioural addiction.