MESSAGEDESIGN

Using visual metaphorsto enhance meaning

By: Lee Bandy, MS, MA, LCPC

1. What is your purpose?

2. Do you have a theme?

3. How will you get attention?

4. What do you have to say?

5. What signals are you sending?

6. Are any needs or special interests blocking communication?

7. Where are you going?

8. How can you show the advantages of your ideas?

9. Can you open the door to a more in-depth conversation?

10.How will you end?

Follow these steps to design and send an effective message

1. What is your purpose?

Message Design

The first step for designing an effective message is to determine your key objective.Decide on the most important thing that you want to communicate, and then be clear in your mind what you want to achieve.

Message Design

For some, a logical argument is not convincing. For maximum impact, create a theme with an emotional appeal. Choose a phrase or highlight an aspect of your topic that ‘brands’ your message in a positive way.

2. Do you have a theme?

3. How will you get attention?

Message Design

For an effective message, you must capture attention. Let others know why they should listen to you. Make it clear that you are communicating an important point, not just having a conversation.

Message Design

Help listeners remember what you are saying by clustering related ideas together. Since the capacity of a person’s short-term, or working, memory is only about 3-7 bits of information, organize your main points into small chunks of information.

4. What do you have to say?

5. What signals are you sending?

Message Design

Make certain that the message you are sending can be clearly understood. Lay the groundwork for mutual understanding by sending signals that tell your listeners what is most important.

6. Are any needs or special interests blocking communication?

Message Design

Realize that differences between your point of view and another person’s point of view may be getting in the way of understanding. Broaden your own thinking by trying to see things from a different perspective.

7. Where are you going?

Message Design

After deciding on your key objective, check that you are driving in the right direction. Make sure you focus on where you want to go and what you want to achieve.

8. How can you show the advantages of your ideas?

Message Design

Highlight the advantages of your point of view. Since people want to know what’s in it for them, tell them how they will benefit. Be honest and acknowledge uncertainties: The tide may turn and the plan could change.

9. Can you open the door to a more in-depth conversation?

Message Design

What kinds of questions can you ask to generate curiosity and open the door to a more in-depth conversation?

10. How will you end?

Message Design

Do you have a forward moving, positive call to action? At the end of the day, ask for what you want. What do you want to happen?

MESSAGE DESIGN

Using visual metaphorsto enhance meaning

By: Lee Bandy, MS, MA, LCPC

The End