Context Takes Over Content

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”

I spoke at a few conferences and universities in 2022. The most frequently asked questions are:

• How do above average presenters get better?

• How best can motivated good writers become great/better writers?

Here are a few things that helped me over the years:

• Start with your to be list and understand who you want to be and why. Take the time to figure this out. This could evolve over time.

• Cultivating gratitude is the most powerful way of practicing writing skills. I start my day writing 3 thank you notes every weekday. I then add a storyline to each note during the weekend. Creating this gratitude journal helped me become a better storyteller.

• Explore life. The broader experience you have, the more inspiration you will get when it comes to writing and storytelling. Make a point to see the world via traveling, reading or watching documentaries or shows that expose you to different cultures.

• Understand who your target audience is. Remember how people react differently to a single word “bug” as shown here.

• Make it relevant to your audience. Most people won’t remember your presentation. They do remember your character and stories. Better presentations are never jam packed with words.

• Seek feedback post publishing or speaking so that you can improve.

• Read books and listen to speeches from those you admire. Learn from them.

• Practice, practice, practice! The more you write, the more you present, the better you become.

What else would you add to the list? Now is your turn to come up with a storyline that gets into the mind of your target audience.