One-Minute Communications Tips Archive
February 2009

How to Analyze Your Audience

Successful communication depends largely on how well you know your audience. Here are some ways to evaluate your audience.

Knowledge. How much does the reader know about the subject? This will tell you how much background, detail and jargon to include.

Interest. Knowing the audience's level of interest helps you organize your content and keep it to an appropriate length.

Attitude. How do readers feel about the topic? If they are skeptical, you will need to provide more support for your claims.

Also, consider the audience's attitude toward you. What's your credibility and authority with them? If you enjoy high credibility, your arguments will be readily accepted.

Purpose. Is your audience seeking a status report, or information that will enable it to make a decision?

Effect. Your communication will have a certain effect on its recipients. Are you asking them to take some action? If yes, is your presentation convincing enough?

The better you understand your audience, the more persuasive you will be.
 

© 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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