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Be Specific When Communicating with All of Your Audiences

Guest articles > Be Specific When Communicating with All of Your Audiences

by: Robert Deigh

Comedian Lily Tomlin has a great line: "I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific."

Organizations often have a similar problem - describing themselves in terms that are too generic to be memorable and effective. "We create custom software." "We're a health and wellness company." "We're your financial experts." Unfortunately, none of those descriptions are compelling enough to make you stand out. Companies that don't stand out rarely beat the competition.

Here's the cure: as part of your PR toolkit, create a compelling company description and a few messages that reveal not just what you are but -- much more important -- what you do for your customers.

In the examples above, you'd be more likely to hire companies that describe themselves this way: "We are a technology company that helps organizations save 25% of product design and manufacturing costs." "We help busy individuals and families lead healthier and more energetic lives." "We show people how to save realistically for their future while enjoying the present."

Now create five or six very specific messages that support your overall description. Put those messages in all of your formal and informal communication (marketing and press materials, website, presentations, paid advertising, sales kit, elevator speech and even your on-hold phone greeting).

Whether you have four employees or 40,000, the ability of every member of your team to speak in a unified voice using the right messages is a very powerful competitive tool.

Robert Deigh is principal of RDC Communication/PR and the author of "How Come No One Knows About Us?" (WBusiness Books, available May 2008), the PR guide for organizations large and small that want to win big visibility. Deigh helps organizations increase their visibility and build their brands by creating strong and positive relationships with the press and other audiences. He is also a well-known speaker and trainer on media and PR topics. Want more free info to build your business? Subscribe to Deigh’s popular monthly 1-page online newsletter “PR Quick Tips” from his website at www.rdccommunication.com. He can be reached via email at rdeigh1@aol.com, or by phone at 703-503-9321.

Contributor: Robert Deigh

Published here on: 30-Sep-12

Classification: PR, Communication

Website: www.rdccommunication.com