Communicate often. Watch out – they are everywhere. Politicians are on the campaign trail communicating their beliefs and their dreams to the American public, and to our allies and adversaries around the world. Thanks to a media-hungry society, politicians get plenty of free, prime-time exposure and above-the-fold news stories; some meaningful and some not so much. But because they consistently place themselves in the spotlight, we know who they are, what they say they stand for, where they hope to find themselves in the future, and what we have to do to help them achieve their goals. They create a call to action every time they ask for your vote. No, we aren’t all politicians. The news media doesn’t automatically report on every human interest story that crosses their desk. Therefore it is up to us as individuals united in service and trying to make a difference to find the best way to state our cause, express our mission, and communicate our accomplishments as well as our goals. Follow these four steps to enhance your communication efforts: - Find your voice. Who are you and what are you passionate about? When you can clearly and concisely express why you are committed to your cause at this given time, your message will be compelling to others that feel the same emotions as you.
- Identify your outlets. People really do want to hear what you have to say, but some like to communicate one-to-one while others enjoy the euphoria of a group or the sincerity of the written word. Research your options and deliver your message in the manner most appropriate for the people you hope to reach.
- Become the expert. Continually listen, read and learn about your topic so that your audience willingly recognizes you as an expert. Make others, the media included; want to come to you to find out more.
- Create a call to action. When you speak or write, ask your audience to do something. Ask them to buy your product, donate to your cause, volunteer for your project, join your club and tell others about their experience. Their response will let you know if your message has finally been heard.
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Communicating in the 21st Century. Making a speech or writing a paper may still be the primary channels for communication. However, these channels have taken on new technology twists. Don’t be afraid to use all of the resources available to help you speak louder, further and more often. Email: According to Jupiter Research, the average consumer receives 35 emails daily. Why? It’s ubiquitous, free and easy-to-read as your schedule allows. Listserv or Group forums : An opt-in option for communicating with groups on a single topic. Optimist Club members have been sharing views on the Yahoo Group Optilink since 1998. Instant Messaging: “IMs” are the way to write in real time to your friends and others. It’s a standard feature for Microsoft, AOL, Yahoo and other popular email clients. - Websites: Although somewhat static your online storefront explains who you are, what you do and why you do it. Websites are a great place to learn the basics of any topic so that you can ask more. Be sure your “contact us” page is up-to-date and monitored regularly.
- Weblogs: “Blogs” are online journals where you can write about whatever you want to write about. Many, such as Google Blogger are free. Blogs are a great option for clubs that don’t want to invest in a Website and an even better way to share your weekly newsletter! Click here to take a look at the PNW District Optimist Blog.
- Facebook and MySpace: Social networking sites that allow you to create an account, upload pictures and stories, invite friends, share calendars and communicate online with people you may not know or may not ever personally meet. Some teenagers are reported to have thousands of “friends.”
YouTube: The Website that allows you to be the star by uploading your own home-made videos has also become a major media outlet for musicians, politicians, marketers and anyone that wants to entertain. Cell Phones and text messaging: Never before have people been more accessible. We carry our phones with us so we can be reached wherever and whenever the notion strikes. Could such universal accessibility represent a cry for inclusion? It certainly allows us to be connected, spontaneous and ready to change direction on the fly.
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 06:23PM 