Communication is not just about relaying information to the receiver. The reason we take our time and speak or write down a word is that we expect it to have an impact either on us or the other party through feedback or other responses. Without feedback or seeing change, we can never be sure if our communication was effective and we were heard. Communication is effective when we listen attentively to others and in turn, they listen to us. Most importantly, it should bring relevant results to show that we were heard clearly.
But, what if you find yourself among ‘loud’ people and you find that your voice drowns in theirs? When not heard, we tend to pull back and keep to ourselves or try other ways to draw attention to ourselves. When we feel ignored, hurt and damaged relationships follow while being heard makes us feel validated and valued. However, it is also possible to be heard but not realize it because we did not get the feedback or response that matched our expectations.
The person on the other end could be trying to communicate too and is yearning to be heard. Therefore, we need to stand on neutral ground as we communicate in order to be in a position that allows us not to think only of ourselves and our interests but also the possibility of getting the unexpected, and new insights. This enriches the communication process while it helps us grow.
How can we be heard and expand our reach using social media?
- Define your target audience – understand who is likely to find your information useful and make your presence felt as you work on getting followers or building relationships. Understanding your target audience and their needs will also help you know the appropriate social media platform to use to reach them and the appropriate time to try and reach out to them. Use different ways of packaging your message to cater to the needs of various characters within your audience by using both text and multimedia.
- Build your account – you need to make yourself known. Engage with people, follow them back, and be visible. The more your followers see your content and your other activities, the more they start looking forward to seeing more of you on their timeline. Post as frequently as possible and ensure that your content is good enough to make a lasting impression. This can be confirmed by the number of shares and engagements on your posts.
- Avoid egocentrism – as a human being it is easy to feel like you have the most valid points, have achieved a lot and people have a lot to learn from you. Content that’s reflective of excessive interest in oneself and self‐praise can be a turnoff to readers. It does not add value to their lives and may feel like nothing other than going through someone’s personal diary. It is okay to share a story about your life here and there but that works better if your audience has something to benefit. Make it about your audience and their needs and wants.
- Keep your message simple but captivating – how we use language in communication is very important. The main point in communicating is ensuring that your audiences get the intended message. However, we sometimes try to show off our language skills and use jargon which may confuse our readers or cause them to lose interest especially when they do not have the time to look up the word from the dictionary. Be clear and to the point but try not to be boring.
- Let your followers know that you are listening to them too – do not just post and leave. Your followers may have questions or valuable information to share with you. Engage with them and show that you appreciate their time and efforts. Take time to follow their posts where possible and join in relevant discussions.
- Authenticity – check your facts before you share your content. People will seek to understand what you are trying to communicate and also try to verify it. False information can make people question your true intentions which can ruin your reputation if you are lucky enough to not fall victim to cyber‐attacks. It will also help you to show a willingness to learn and admit where you misunderstood some facts and correct your mistakes.
- Be patient – there are vast amounts of content screaming for attention on social media. Most people, including those who logged in to look for useful information end up looking for entertaining stories instead. It might take time for your account to be noticed especially if your focus is not entertainment. However, people will eventually give you the needed attention if you stay present, post regularly, and appreciate other people’s posts. It is also important to identify your audience’s preferences and repackage your message based on them without crossing your boundaries if things do not seem to change.
We would love to hear your thoughts on being visible. Share in the comments!
~Tracey
P.S. Join us in the She Grows Virtual Facebook group today!