Plan on Sharing Your Message in New Ways

Recently, I was asked to speak to a history class about a play I am directing. Being a history buff, I enjoy any opportunity to share stories about earlier times and the parallels that can be drawn between then and now. However, this also was a great opportunity to promote the show and theater company as a whole.

As we consume more and more information every day, it can be difficult to cut through the noise using traditional means. It’s important to look for ways to communicate with your audience outside of the box. Doing so creates potential to make more meaningful connections with them.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to reach your audience:

Always be ready to share your message.

Opportunities to share your message may come out of the blue or be planned in advance. While you may not be speaking to an entire class about a particular topic, being able to share at least an elevator pitch – a short, concise overview – about your organization is important should the opportunity arise. Developing a clear message that anyone in the organization can share is important when the right moment presents itself, and it ensures everyone is sharing the same message.

Investigate speaking opportunities.

This is a great opportunity to engage with an audience that can give you its undivided attention. Many groups have monthly or weekly meetings and invite others in to share their stories. Take the time to investigate what organizations have meetings and how you can join the list of speakers. However, make sure your message fits with the organization’s needs so as not to come off too salesy.

Follow the news.

Is there an event happening in the news that your organization can speak about? Often, news agencies are looking for a local expert to speak about a news story. For example, when a celebrity dies, there is always a question about the will. If you work with a financial or legal institution, you may be able to provide some guidance about why a will is important and how one can be drafted.

Is it a holiday?

Develop a list of awareness celebrations with which your organization aligns. Maybe, it is National Nurses Week or Manufacturing Day. This is a great moment to share pictures and stories via social media and other avenues of your organization’s team, clients or projects that fit with this holiday. Take the time to celebrate what your organization is doing and raise awareness for issues that mean something to you.

While these are just a few ways you can reach your audience, it is important to take the time to not only determine what your message is but also develop a full game plan so you’re ready when the moment strikes. These tasks can be time-consuming, but they will pay off in the long run when you’re able to share your message when the right opportunity presents itself.

If you are unsure of how to engage some of these strategies, Chartwell Agency is happy to help. We offer a wide variety of facilitations and trainings that can help you determine what you want to say, when and where to say it, and even how to say it.