One-Minute Communications Tips Archive
November 2008

"What's in It for Me?"

That is the question we ask ourselves — overtly or subconsciously — on receiving any communication. And that's what your reader is doing when he gets your email, text message or report — or when he lands on your website.

He wants to know how your document affects his life. He wants to know if it requires any action on his part. He wants to know how it benefits him.

If you want the reader to act upon your request, let him know how doing so will help him. Appeal to his self-interest.

You'll be most effective if you point out professional and personal benefits. Much as we'd like to think people's decision-making is driven by their business priorities, personal advancement also affects their choices.

Address your reader's needs, and you'll be more persuasive.
 

© Arun Sinha, Access Communications. Access Communications is a marketing communications and technical writing firm based in Stamford, Connecticut, USA. Sign up for Access Communications's One-Minute Communication Tip at http://www.AccessConsultingInc.com. Once a month, you'll receive an actionable idea or technique on an aspect of business communications, distilled into about 150 words.

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