Today is Thursday, so this post is about Communication Skills.
I read a lot of blogs and subscribe to a lot of email newsletters. Yesterday, the most recent newsletter from Michael Neray, The Essential Message popped up in my in box. I always open Michael’s newsletters quickly, as they deliver on what they promise – "57 seconds worth to help you think, smile and build your business."
Yesterday’s newsletter was entitled It’s Really All About “You”. I really liked what Mr. Neray has to say. Here is the text of his latest newsletter.
Here's a simple communication tip that you can use immediately to increase the power of your emails, proposals, web copy and presentations.
Compare these two statements:
- Most people use general statements in their written and verbal communications, which are less compelling and less credible than specifics.
- If you use general statements in your written and verbal communications, you are less compelling and less credible than if you use specifics.
There are several things I could have done to improve on the first statement, but I changed it only as much as I had to in order to shift the focus from "most people" to "you".
Which statement caused a stronger reaction and was more compelling for you?
It may feel odd to use the second person (you) when you're writing an email that's addressed to multiple people, writing a proposal intended for an organization, or speaking to a group of people during a sales presentation or a speech.
Partly, it may feel strange to say "you'"if you were taught in high school that proper writing should always be written in the third person. It may feel doubly strange because your brain is telling you that you must be inclusive of everyone you're addressing.
But if you want your emails, proposals, web copy and presentations to have more impact -- as you can see from the simple demonstration above -- that's exactly what you should do. Why? Because no matter how many people are on your email list or how many people are in your audience, each one is an individual -- who will feel more engaged if he or she is addressed as one.
What's more, getting in the habit of using "you" does even more than help you create stronger response in your reader or listener -- it helps you to take on a more customer-centric mindset.
And that's essential for your Essential Message.
Common sense advice on improving your communication from Michael Neray. Try it, and you’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll communicate in writing.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my other blog www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a business, and my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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