Common Sense PR

Good Communications Is about Talking Like a Real Person

by Eric Eggertson on August 30th, 2007

For some people, the more they talk, the less they communicate.

With the increasing trend to nonstop coverage of major events, we see more and more news coverage that is just treading water, waiting for a new development in the story.

A Miss Teen USA candidate’s unintelligible response to a question is making the rounds of YouTube, leading Rico Mossesgeld to offer this advice:

"I learned to just say what I have to say, and worry less about how I’m coming across. This is especially important for a freelancer. With the limited time a client has to look for freelancers, they will appreciate proposals that are straightforward and to the point, while ignoring those that place more importance on making a good impression. The same applies to anyone looking for information online."

Trying to fluff up your verbiage to impress people doesn’t work. But that doesn’t mean you should talk to everyone the way you talk to your friends at the bar. Good emotional intelligence calls for subtle shifts in your language and tone based on who you’re talking to.

Using the language that your audience is comfortable with, and turning a sales call into an opportunity to share useful information is increasingly important, says PharmaVoice:

"Over the last few years, industry changes have made it essential for representatives to do a few things very well. For example representatives need to differentiate themselves by delivering more distinct messages, tuned to the needs of the healthcare providers they’re dealing with. They also need to better understand what creates value and align the messages with that goal, even if the message is a little different for each call. And reps need to be more consistent in the eyes of the customers to improve brand image and reputation.

"Trust is the differentiating factor that will allow companies to experience a quantum leap in sales effectiveness, therefore training needs to focus on developing salespeople into better trust builders.

Have something to say. Say it clearly. Use examples your audience can understand.

Got it?

Tags: clarity, language, communications, business, sales, value, tips, style

Share This

Related Stories

Quick Tip: Talk to Real People and Act on What They Say
This Space Intentionally Left Blank by RealNetworks Inc.
Corporate Social Media Case Study: Imagine JetBlue’s Troubles in a Bloggy World
Quick Tip: Ask for the Business
Advice on Openness for Civil Servants

POSTED IN: Audiences, Communication Skills, Consulting, Marketing, Persuasion, Speechwriting, Work