In your work and travels, there is a good chance that you need to get your message out in one way or another. The problem that most people face is that there is simply more media out there today than most would-be listeners can even handle. From messages to advertisements, ideas and podcasts, commercials and even popups, the world is almost too full when it comes to messages and content. Individuals with a powerful message can’t just give up and quit. They need to find the best way to get their message out there, and they need to be smart about how they distinguish themselves from everyone else out there who is trying to do the same thing. 

Start and Grow Your Audience

In Inc’s piece about how best to grow an audience, they list multiple ways that anyone is able to actually have followers. Whether you are looking for followers on social media or you are looking for them in a presidential election, the same principles apply. Your quest is not in getting people to hang on your every word, it’s on having them want to tune in and hear what you have to say. You need to create value and give them informative content.

The best way you can do this is by distinguishing yourself. Even if you are doing almost the same thing as anyone else, if you can just get your face in front of your audience, you are already giving them more dimensions to see, understand, and interact with. Facetime is important in any sort of message, and if the people who are listening can add visual stimulation to the message you are giving their ears, you have greatly increased your chances of being memorable.  

Help Them to Stay Focused

One of the most difficult things for any speaker to do is to captivate their audience enough to have them truly listen and be engaged. Just because people are looking at you or hear the words coming out of your mouth doesn’t mean that they are truly hearing your message. And, while everyone may listen and process information at different speeds, most people will get bored of your conversation quicker than you would think! Imagine the last time you were talking about a recent trip - did your audience's Eyes Glaze Over (EGO)? You not only need to set yourself up for success with what you say, but also how you say it! This includes using the nonverbal skills and abilities you have tucked away in your back pocket. Everything from animation and movement to inflection and change of pitch. Don’t be a monotonous speaker; be someone who actually engages your audience if you are looking for success! 

One of the experts in the field, Blue Jeans, has suggested treating every interaction that isn’t in person as a virtual town hall. By having speakers be able to see their audience and truly interact with them (and by having the audience listen visually as well as by sound), the most important conference calls, meetings, and general announcements can be put out there with greater effectiveness than just a call in line. 

Treat Yourself Like a Marketing Campaign

Have you ever noticed that there is an entire industry to marketing? Not only that, but there are sub markets full of experts at each and every level. You have people who deal with online ad placement, banners, pop ups, inbox drip campaigns, flash commercials, cold calls, print media, and even text messages. The worst part is, those are the ones you are already so accustomed to seeing that you don’t even think about anymore when you do see them! With that much noise constantly in your face and in your head, doesn’t it make sense that good information can get lost in all of the noise if it isn’t properly presented? The experts at Copy Blogger may have been targeting online marketers when they put together their top three tips for being heard on a marketing campaign, however if you are trying to get the attention of your audience then you truly need to fight for every inch. Among their tips is the fact that you must be compelling and get to the point, you must be real and engaging, and you must also be interesting and original enough to shatter stereotypes. If you can master these general items then you have a much better chance at seeing your audience want more and not watching the clock. This is useful in the classroom, around the dinner table, and in any situation where you want to be heard.

Regardless of your message and your intended result, you need to be prepared to compete for any potential audience members - even in your own classroom. The truth is most people are plastered with noise in the form of marketing every single day. So if you are going to get through to them, you have to be prepared to be engaging and exciting. Give them something that they will want and you will see your audience flocking and growing rather than shrinking away.