Why Clarity is Key to Speaking to Your Market
If you're an entrepreneur, doing business, or working on a corporate team, you voice opinions and make presentations every day. But how often do you think about your audience? Do you know Clarity is Key to Speaking to Your Market?
Clarity is key to speaking to your market. This article will help by examining some of the most common communication problems and giving clear-cut advice on what needs to be done for you and your listeners to understand each other better.
But before we can address these issues, let's take a moment to examine the most common problem entrepreneurs face when communicating with their customers. Sometimes, people assume that everyone in the room should immediately understand what they're saying or asking. That is not true. The purpose of language is to communicate ideas and make those ideas easier to understand. And one way that people do this is by using words and sentences with specific meanings and contexts. That is, communication requires that you make sure your listeners' assumptions, beliefs, and experiences match up with your own.
The Danger of Naivety
Let's say, for example; you're on a conference call with an important customer who has just asked you to explain why one of your products or services is better than another. You begin by describing your company's culture and how it sets it apart from its competitors. Then you describe an innovative and proprietary new product that you've developed.
You might have a great explanation, but the audience may not understand it. For example, if you're talking to people who are paying attention to the tenor of your voice but don't entirely understand what makes your product so great, they probably won't be able to follow along as clearly as they should.
Confusing Present and Future
The second common problem is that people need to communicate what's happening right now. In the example above, it might not occur to you to mention that your company has just completed a new product prototype and is preparing for a launch in three months. Instead, you concentrate on the competitive environment in which you're operating.
It can become a real problem when you're communicating with government officials or other people who need you to be as concrete as possible. For example, when asked to describe an issue of national concern, the way you go about it can make it hard for your audience to understand exactly why your company is being asked to solve the problem. Obtaining information from them could be impossible if they can't figure out what you're talking about.
Another example of this kind of confusion comes up during presentations about business plans. You might have a clear vision for your business, but if you don't get the information about where you're going out of your head and into your listeners' heads, it won't matter whether or not you have a great idea.
What to Do to speak with clarity?
If you find that people have trouble following along, three things can help them understand what you're saying. First, be sure that they know exactly who they're listening to. Make it clear who you are, where you're based, and how long you've been in business.
You can do this by speaking slowly and clearly, and occasionally pausing to describe your company's history or the history of your product.
Second, make sure that the expectations of your listeners are clear. Sometimes entrepreneurs feel that they have to present their vision for their company as if it were a movie or a piece of art. In reality, people pick up on what's happening at the moment, not a carefully planned vision for the future.
Finally, if your listeners don't understand what you're talking about, try rephrasing what you've said. Make sure they know exactly what you mean.
If this doesn't help, describe it again in a different way, but one that you know will make sense to them or say that you agree with the point being made by your listener.
For example, you might explain that your product is what a user really wants but is being held back by the limitations of your current manufacturing process.
Your potential customer nods at this but then asks: "But how do I know you'll be able to produce it? Won't there be problems with scalability? What do you think we can do?"
If you don't know exactly what to say, say, "I agree." It will help clarify your thoughts and continue the conversation. It may help to get some business cards at this point and pass them out to your listeners. A business card is a perfect tool for communicating your industry or product information.
However, it looks like a bit piece of paper, is cheap and easy to reproduce, and can be made by anyone with a printer. It's also small enough to slip into a pocket or purse, so it doesn't need to be out on the table in front of you.
Even if you're only giving a few cards out, it will help your listeners understand what a typical day is like for you. Who knows?
To return to our previous example of sharing your new product design with a customer, it may not be possible to explain why the product is so great. People are busy and have a lot to think about, but it's always important to find out why they don't understand something.
If you find that people are nodding and saying, "Yes, we get it," but don't understand exactly why your product would benefit them, ask them what they're doing right now that could be improved. What can they do better? What could you do differently?
If you notice that the conversation seems to be going in circles or that everyone is just sitting there in silence, it's probably time to put down your laptop and walk outside. It's amazing the insights you can gain when you get some fresh air.
Don't assume that everyone understands precisely what you're talking about. Instead, make sure that everyone knows that listening is a two-way street and always clarify what your expectations are for a given exchange of ideas.
It will help ensure that you're all on the same page with whatever project or idea you're discussing. Once you figure out what your expectations are, the rest is easy.
Essential tips on how to speak clearly and concisely
For anyone who has ever had to speak to a large crowd, you know that it can be frightening for the lack of "clarity" in your words. Who judges your speech when you're done? No one, because they weren't listening. With this in mind, we've put together some essential tips on speaking clearly and concisely so you don't risk confusing or boring your audience!
1. Know What You're Saying.
You don't want to get lost in your thoughts and forget the point of your speech. It is a common mistake that many students make when preparing to give a presentation. Knowing the purpose of what you are saying and the content you want to talk about makes it easier and more enjoyable for you to speak.
2. Keep Your Voice LIFTED UP!
It is quickly done if your audio recording is on! You can lift your voice at least an octave so that when you are done speaking, it will sound naturally solid and confident.
3. Pause Before You Say Something Important!
You can always edit out any pauses that you may want to take. However, if you pause because you want to think about what you will say next, it is just an extension of what we said above!
4. Use Short Paragraphs, Not Long Ones!
Listening to a lengthy speech can be tedious and difficult - people begin to lose focus on the story, and many fall asleep! Try standing up a few times as you're talking so that when you sit back down again, the audience will be fully alert and paying attention. Make sure they feel interested and engaged in what you're saying.
5. Don't Go Too Rapidly!
You don't want to sound like you are talking too quickly or too slowly, but you want to pace yourself. If you move fast, it can be easy for your audience to lose track of what you are saying. If you go too slow, the audience may not understand the content that is being said and will be bored or find it challenging to listen to! Be mindful of this when giving your speech so that people understand your message!
6. Be Sure You Know When to Stop!
It is essential to make sure that you know when to stop talking. If you speak for too long, the audience will begin to lose interest, leading many people to leave your speech early. If you end on a solid note, they may feel that they could have quickly spoken longer - but in reality, it is usually better not to speak at all as it is safer and can give the impression that you didn't have enough material prepared.
7. Where to Start Depending On Your Audience
Generally speaking, younger people will have a more challenging time paying attention as they are more prone to daydreaming/being distracted, so you will want to start your topic personally with these people. They may find it easier to pay attention when you use an image (such as a picture) rather than focusing on all of the words you are saying.
8. Don't Stick to The Topic At Hand
You don't want to go into too much detail about the topic, and this can be trickier when you start talking about your story and how it affects you. You should keep your speech in perspective while still true to the subject matter.
9. What If My Speech Goes Wrong or I Get Bored?
People make a big mistake is starting the speech with a joke or funny story. It can be difficult, as it is hard not to continue the story and keep listening like you are interested in what it is about. People tend to zone out with humorous stories so try not to rush into telling jokes!
10. Don't Forget About the Audience!
You don't want to give the impression that you don't care what they think, but you still want to make sure you make eye contact to connect with them. You don't want them to feel ignored and not listen, so it is good to glance at the audience now and then constantly.
11. Don't Use Hand Gestures!
Instead of talking about something, use your hands for emphasis or gestures when necessary. It will help people understand what you are saying more clearly as they can see what you have written down or on your computer screen better than if you were standing there with a microphone in your hand.
12. Don't Be Afraid to Laugh a Bit!
You don't want to laugh so much that you lose your voice, but you want to be lighthearted and carefree when giving your speech. It makes it easier for people to take in the message because when you are easygoing and laughing, it shows that you are at ease, making it easier for them to listen. Don't try too hard, though, or the audience will feel like a clown is making fun of them.
13. Keep Your Body Language Consistent!
You want to keep your body language consistent throughout the entire speech so that people can see whether you are confident and at ease or nervous and unprepared. As you are giving the address, your body language can indicate your attitude towards them to the audience.
14. Don't Be Afraid to USE A Tool Such as PowerPoint!
To keep things more organized and simple for your audience, you can use a tool such as PowerPoint to help make your speech more enjoyable for them. However, if you're not comfortable with this, it is still okay to speak and use some basic hand gestures instead!
15. Be Yourself and Let Them Know You Care!
When giving any presentation or speech, be yourself and let the audience know you care about what they have just heard. It really makes a difference if you are genuinely interested in what you say and find it moving. If you don't care about what you're saying, it will show when you make jokes or sounds like you don't want to be there.
Do you feel like you are struggling with putting "strategy" and "business growth concepts" in place that make a difference? Doing it all is overwhelming! Let’s have a honest discussion about your business and see if the Power of 10 can help you. Click “HERE” to have a great conversation with our team today.
Written and Published By The Strategic Advisor Board Team
C. 2017-2021 Strategic Advisor Board / M&C All Rights Reserved
www.strategicadvisorboard.com / info@strategicadvisorboard.com
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