COMMUNICATION
Are you saying the right thing, in the most organized and
simple way to the right people with the authority to make a decision using the
right platform at the right time?
Being a social media communications manager I have realised
that as a people, our communications skills are lacking. I believe half of the
time the reason why we are not able to get through to people when we pitch
ideas, ourselves and concepts to them has more to do with how we are saying what
we are saying. However when you have your thoughts arranged, and you are
speaking to the right people, in the right setting at the right time then only
your confidence can let you down.
1.
What are you saying?
When you don’t know how to structure what you want to talk
about or ask, research is key. Find out what you need to know about the topic
you wish to engage people on. Once you have all the relevant information,
organize your arguments so that they flow and a person can develop a story as
you recount your pitch. If you may be lacking in some areas, the best principle
is to be honest that you do not have the in-depth knowledge and the steps you
will take to remedy that. Planning is key in this regard because failing to
plan is planning to fail.
Research the people you are pitching to as much as you can
and make your pitch relevant to them through the use of examples that will
resonate with them or the industry they are in. Do not use big words or try to
sound smart. The fact that you are pitching to people to entice them to see
things your way just means you need to make your pitch easy for them more than
anyone else easy to understand and identify with. No one waiting to be
convinced wants to be reaching for dictionaries to understand what is being said
in the process.
2.
Who are you talking to?
A lot of times a lot of people with potential (I hate this
word) are stonewalled by people who do not have the authority to make the
decisions. Understand the environment in which you wish to play, find out who
the decision makers and don’t bother pitching until you get in front of those
people. Do be friendly to the person between you and the decision maker but
never make the mistake of wasting your breath trying to convince them you have
something worth their while because they are actually not equipped to help you
anyway. There will be rare exceptions to this but you need to know when you are
dealing with a perception situation.
3.
Where are you making your pitch?
Generally speaking with a few exceptions, offices are places
of high pressure and pace. When people are in their offices, they tend to be
stressed, worried and busy with and about their job description and
deliverables with little or no room to consider anything else. Besides, in the
office there are constant interruptions with co-workers demanding attention on
one thing or another that the person you are taking to may be a part of.
If you want someone to listen to you, take them out of the
environment that would make them less perceptive and attentive to what you are
trying to sell them. Make sure you select a location that would be free of
disruptions and interruptions.
If you are looking for something online or talking to people
on online platforms, you need to choose your platform wisely. Know what each
social media platform was created for and keep your interactions in line with
the core mandate of the platform because otherwise no one will take you
seriously. For example if you are writing an email that is official, make sure
you adhere to email protocol; have a subject, formal greetings and salutation,
clearly state intention of email and sign out properly. On Facebook with all
the fake/ alter ego profile names, it does not make sense to reach out to
organisations for employment. The same can be said for twitter which is a
platform for updates on what is happening around the world at any particular
moment. LinkedIn is the professional platform where people expect a level of
professionalism in the language used, the conversations had and the content posted.
Equally here it would be off-placed to post sexy pictures of yourself.
Basically align your message to the platform and setting
where it will get the most mileage and attention needed and aligned to the
vision and goals of the communication to begin with.
4.
When do you make your pitch?
There are certain events and occurrences in life that make
people less social and receptive of external information whatever it may be.
There are also situations that make people less considerate and rational and
you need to ensure that the audience you are speaking to is not going through
any such event in their life.
The idea when communicating whatever you need to get through
to other people and get their buy in is to make the effort to ensure that all
of the factors mentioned above are not working against you. The onus rests on
you to ensure the optimum conditions for your message to be received and
perceived in the light you wish. The key with communication after all is not what
you are saying but how it is heard by the receiver.
