3 Tips for Delivering Engaging and Effective Communications

As communications advisors, we know this is true: Strategy without effective communication is just an idea. Communication without strategy is just noise. But done well together, they can change minds and persuade people to act.    

This is what successful communications are all about: moving good ideas forward. To do that, we coach executive leadership teams to approach all their communications with three proven best practices:

1. Start with strategy

You can’t move your audience from point A to point B if you don’t know what point B is. So, before you write a single word, ask yourself:    

• Why am I doing this (presentation, meeting, email, article, etc.)?
• What main points do I want to get across?
• What do I want my audience to do or think after reading or hearing this?

Then think about your audience:

• Who are they (in relation to this topic)?
• What do they care about?
• What’s in it for them if they do what I want them to do?

2. Create your content

Build your content around that sweet spot where your goals for this communication intersect with your audience’s interests. Remember to write for the eye and the ear by following the three C’s of effective communication:

• Clear – Make it easy to understand, no corporate jargon.
• Concise – Say more with less to save readers time and effort.
• Compelling – Speak to what matters most to your audience to capture their interest.

PadillaPrep™ tip: Don’t bury the lead. Begin each section with your “headline” or main idea and then back it up with proof points and examples.

3. Prepare your spokesperson  

If you’re delivering the message in person, you also need the right “style.” This means honing both your verbal and your non-verbal skills:

• Use your voice like an instrument. Vary your pacing, inflection, volume and pauses to give life to your content. The only way to nail this is to practice out loud – A LOT.
• Dress for your role and the setting you’re in. Whether you’re speaking at a corporate conference or leading an internal Zoom meeting, dress in professional attire that makes you feel confident and comfortable.
• Use facial expressions and gestures to emphasize key points. Record yourself, play it back, and practice until you strike the right balance.

When you follow these steps, your communications will not only connect with your audiences but compel them to act in ways that drive your business forward.

Ready to level up your communication and persuade audiences to pay attention – and act? Visit PadillaPrep.com or email Coaching@PadillaCo.com to connect with our team for personalized training and resources.