How to Connect Better
It’s the time of year for appeals, newsletters and charitable giving requests, how can you make sure you have a lasting impression on your audience?
I listened to the book "Smart Brevity" after a colleague at the Chamber of Commerce recommended it, and I was super energized by it. Here are my top ten takeaways from the book to help us connect with our audience:
Why it matters:
The goal is to get our audience to read the content we’re taking the time to share, so making it easy is key.
Top 10 Tips for Connecting Better With Your Audience:
Keep it short, not shallow: Conciseness doesn't mean sacrificing depth.
Use bullet points: Organize information for clarity and simplicity.
Avoid writing in riddles or sharing anecdotal stories: Communicate clearly and directly, (even if you love colorful colloquialisms, like me).
Use emojis, just as you would exclamation points: Emojis add a dash of personality and emotion. ☺️
Imagine talking to a neighbor: Frame your writing or speech as if you were discussing the topic with a neighbor you bump into in passing and stop there.
Skip "in conclusion" and provide additional resources: Offer links or videos for those who want a deeper dive into the topic.
Retain your personality: Don't cut so much that your content becomes sterile.
Keep only important facts: Don’t include details like race or disabilities unless it’s imperative to the story.
The first sentence should tell it all: You only have a few seconds to capture their attention.
Keep email subjects short: Aim for subject lines with only six words.
I’m someone who loves to tell a LOOONNNNGGGG story, normally on accident. I read this book at the perfect time for my journey on self improvement and for planning our 2024 newsletters. Let me know what you think. Send me a message at jes@swiftprinting.com
Dive Deeper
Here’s the link to the book, Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less
Does this format look familiar? Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. uses this process. Take a look at the latest newsletter here and subscribe.
