Are You CATCHING "EYES & INTEREST" With Your Online Messaging? Are potential prospects "seeing or missing" your posts going by them in their social media feeds?

Here are a few quick ways to test your posts ..

1) Count the number of words used before you get to your point. -- If you are using five to six filler words before anyone knows what you are talking about, you have lost some of your audience. Viewer's eyes are passing on by ... nothing was there to "catch" their attention!!! Always get your point or topic out in the first 3 - 5 words! Sometimes all you need to do is reverse your words in the sentence!

2) Are your posts beginning with "I"? --- Using "I" as your starting word just distances your message from the viewer. It is an immediate reason to move on by !! Always remember it is not about YOU ( "I" ). Later on in your post it is ok to reference to your own experiences with "I" , but only after you have connected the reader to your point as it relates to THEM!

3) Does the viewer know you are speaking to them? --- If you have a message that is specific to a type of interest or profession, let them know up front! Begin your posts with, for example, CEO & C-Suite Executives, and continue on with your message. They are happy they did not miss your info and others are happy they didn't spend time on a post not meant for them!!

These are just a few tips for your posting success. Hope they are helpful. If you'd like more assistance let's talk about my messaging and content development program, click here to review

To your communications success!

#becommunicationsstrong

margie

Dig Deep! What does it really mean? We hear the phrase used quite frequently in conversation, but how often do we really hear the words and respond by “digging deep?”

The phrase can actually stimulate multiple types of actions based upon the situation it is referencing. In general the phrase directs us to “find out more” … “find the source” ….of something. What that “something” is can vary and may include digging deep into:

• the external (or internal) history of a topic
• our internal values
• a knowledge base located internally or externally
• source of our emotions
• source of strength, energy

Digging Deep helps us understand a situation and/or people, including ourselves. It also can give us more capability, insight, empathy, knowledge, awareness, growth, maturity, and the list goes on!!! It's kind of a good habit to grab on to, wouldn't you say?

The process is pretty simple - it is often subliminal, but when broken down, it's a process of following a series of links that connect to each other, beginning with where we are at and what is going on in front of us. From this surface layer we can go to the previous “link” and continue on down each connection to “deeper” layers … and finally the “deepest” source of info for achieving our purpose. Fascinating stuff!

PURPOSE is a huge guiding light in the process of digging deep. Knowing what your purpose is will keep you on track when going deep…. It is actually the same “purpose” used to take ourselves forward For example when we need that one more burst of energy for the purpose of accomplishing a task, that purpose is what drives us to dig deep to find that energy! It’s the same purpose we used when we first set out to accomplish the task prior to needing to dig deep.

So let’s walk through “Digging Deep” in a simple everyday application:

THE PURPOSE: Know WHY you chose what you are wearing today!

1. you chose what you are wearing because you have a zoom call .-> business attire
2. what was the image of yourself you were trying to project -> professional
3. why did you choose the color -> black makes me feel more grounded in my profession
4. why did you choose the style -> turtle neck under tailored jacket -> cold outside, season
5. why a tailored style - east coast traditional business classic taste
6. does the east coast influence enter into all your attire decision -> kind of, YES.
7. and so on with questions, until this simple "what do you have on" can take you to other levels of exploration. To continue ...
8. does the east coast influence other things that you do, business & personal? -> absolutely!
9. what is the first other thing that you do -> choosing my favorite sport teams
10. and so it continues.....

Slowing down and thinking through the layers can reacquaint ourselves to ourselves … it is amazing what we forget that is part of our beings! It also helps us understand those we live with, play with AND work with!

Making the effort to “Dig Deep” into our business prospects is what will enable us to create the communications that will “connect” to them at all stages of the buyer journey. When you look at the buyer journey as … TRUST – CREDIBILITY – EXPERTISE – LOYALTY …. we need to know more about our prospects than just their immediate needs. We need to “dig in” and explore what makes them tick and then “dig deep” to find those links within those layers that drive “THEIR PURPOSE” …. this is what we must connect with!

Make a habit to remember to "Dig Deep!" Go for finding MORE! Try it out on yourself …. what makes you choose a restaurant, drive a certain route, choose a movie, buy a stock, etc

AND OF COURSE .... Dig Deep to discover & learn more about your prospects!

Here's to your communications success!

#communicationsstrong

margie

LinkedIn? Instagram Reels? Stories? Threads? TicTok? X? Facebook? Video? Podcast? Flyers? Ads? Text? FB Messenger? Text Message? Direct Message? Email? Telephone? The list is endless!!

SO MANY RESOURCES TO CHOOSE FROM? They all shout “winning” reasons for using them … so should you use ALL of them? Only a few? Do the bells & whistles make a difference?

Where do you begin? Here is something for you to try … BEGIN just like you do when looking to hire a person. Create a job description of what you need done and then interview the applicants!

Example #1 --> You need a resource that will enable you to attract people to your business. The job description might be something like this:

“this job requires having access to new contacts, either directly or indirectly, that match our targeted demographics, i.e. professionals over 40 who need guidance for changing their career. Also required is the ability to be relationship oriented, i.e. the ability to support the successful establishing of rapport; and transparently lead new contacts to an awareness of our existence. Soft selling support is very important. Must also support trust building techniques.”

TickTok, Facebook, Instagram Reels, and LinkedIn apply for the job. You immediately thank and dismiss TikTok and facebook because of the age demographics. Instagram Reels & LinkedIn definitely are stronger and both can support developing awareness. LinkedIn may have a stronger access to the targeted demographic and also multiple methods for supporting indirect & direct ways to attract contacts….. LinkedIn would get the job offer.

Example #2 --> Need a trainer for trainings on a new machine that helps moms do the laundry. The trainer must be able to instill the simplicity of using the machine, and how it is one of a kind.

Applicants for the job include 1) a pdf doc detailing each step in using the machine; 2) a slideshow showing each step of using the machine with photos & easy to read written description below; 3)a recorded video; 4) a facebook live training upon purchase.

• The pdf and the slideshow are eliminated as not being able to simplify the process as successfully as the other applicants.
• Video is intriguing as it could serve two roles … one for training and one for marketing. It can also be referred to after the initial training.
• The live facebook could be excellent for training as it allows live Q & A. It’s a lot more restrictive but could definitely deepen customer bonding and contribute towards loyalty. This becomes a toss up! Maybe both applicants could be hired? OR maybe the job search continues … find more “applicants” for that PERFECT match!!

An added benefit to writing out your job descriptions for each required task in your business is that you start thinking of things that would not necessarily come to mind. While I was just writing the above example #2, the live Q& A is something I hadn’t thought about until I started writing!! You also pick up much more clarity on what you are doing and why!

Start playing with this approach. Use it for any task. Who/what can best open doors? Who/what can best nurture and lead prospects? Who/what can best service existing customers?

Explore which resources can best support and/or deliver the messaging needed at the right time ... for example, in many cases videos are not great for attracting people who are not yet looking for what you offer, as they have no reason to click the video open much less take the time to watch. However with the right product a video might be a great for attracting ... for example, if you sell camping gear, videos on our national parks, etc. might do a great job attracting future prospects.

It all comes down to your job description.

Worse case, this exercise, forces you to give some deeper thought to your marketing/selling needs and how you address those needs.

Here's to your communications success!
margie