We may have fantastic ideas and solutions for positive change but these things are useless if we cannot communicate effectively.
For a marketing communications strategist, communication skills are essential to inform and persuade partners and clients to take action. Whether this is executed through business intelligence or marketing collateral, the ultimate objective is to provide relevance and value to the reader. You achieve this goal by communicating effectively.
To communicate effectively, you must be concise. The more direct the message is tailored to the reader, the easier and faster one will understand it. In this Information Age, we are bombarded with information overload so we don’t have the time or energy to read everything – we are trained to avoid irrelevant topics and skim unnecessary, fluffy words.
Discussing miscellaneous topics and adding flavorful words to your message may add variety and increase general interest. However, be mindful about the one primary message you hope to convey. Do these other subjects and verbiage strengthen your readers’ understanding or weaken it?
- Think about what makes most sense to the reader. Most likely, you can identify and cut out the excess – as a result, you will deliver the words and topics that truly matter.
To communicate effectively, you must be aware of grammar rules. Following these rules empowers people to be comfortable in understanding your message. Breaking grammar rules may result in inconvenience, confusion and distractions to your message.
- Rather than focusing on your message, readers may be composing a new message: “Why isn’t there a period at the end of the sentence?” or “This writer cannot spell!”
Communication is one of the most effective ways to differentiate yourself from your peers. Invest the time to be concise and refresh your knowledge of proper grammar. These efforts yield great return and more value as you continue to share life on life.