​Use persuasive communication techniques

• ​Use persuasive language when communicating to help you connect with your audience.

• ​Persuasion is about convincing an audience that what you are offering is what they are looking for.

• ​Storytelling is a persuasive communication technique used to convey a powerful message.

​Examples of persuasive techniques include:

• ​appealing to the needs of the audience

• ​pointing out the benefit of your solution/idea

• ​making concessions and negotiating

​When you tell a story to communicate an idea:

• ​focus on the characters to give people someone to connect with

• ​give the characters a relatable voice

• ​begin your story with the end in mind to make it interesting

• ​stir the audience’s emotions so they react the way you want them to

• ​develop a conflict to encourage the audience to continue listening

• ​end with a positive takeaway message

Provoke and encourage a response in others​

Audiences bring with them expectations, knowledge and attitudes about the occasion, the topic and the speaker.​

​When communicating with an audience, you want their input and response to:

• ​be meaningful

• ​reinforce your message

​Researching your audience

• ​Knowing the background of your audience will help you tailor your message and the way it is delivered.

• ​Learning styles influence how an audience receives and processes information.

• ​Learning styles can be visual, auditory, auditory digital and kinaesthetic.

• ​Audiences can be categorised as uninformed, neutral, hostile, expert and business.

​When encouraging an audience to contribute and respond to your communication ensure you:

• choose your communication technique carefully

• ​use inclusive framing (questioning)

• ​allow time for a response

• ​acknowledge contributions

​Communication challenges

• ​Challenges you might face when communicating with a virtual audience include technical difficulties, achieving a personal connection, divided attention and difficulty gauging a response.

• ​When communicating in a face-to-face setting you and your audience might have to deal with distractions and poor visibility.

• ​Educational, psychological, physical, emotional and information barriers can make communication less effective.

​Communication Strategies

• ​By adjusting your communication style you can overcome many communication barriers.

• ​As a communicator, you need to understand the reasons why people might oppose or reject your ideas.

• ​Good preparation and planning means your communication is more likely to appeal to your audience.