Getting your message out into the big wide world for the first time can seem like a daunting task. Where do you start?

We’ve come up with 10 simple tips which should help you to communicate your message – successfully.

1 – Know why you are communicating
Do you want to increase sales, launch a new product, raise your profile or promote an event? Identify what you need to achieve and stick to that message.

2 – Know who you are aiming at and learn more about them
Building a relationship between you and your customer is key. Get to know them by asking questions, encouraging feedback and meeting with them. Use the information you receive – it can sometimes surprise you and point you in a direction you may not have considered before. It will also show them that you understand their needs and challenges.

3 – Be concise
People are, quite frankly, busy. We don’t have time to read reams of copy or lists of highly technical jargon.

• Use bulleted lists to quickly highlight key pieces of information.
• Consider using language that will evoke emotion and resonate with the customer.
• A quick attention grabbing headline for example can provide a ‘hook’ to grab the readers attention.
• Order the information in a way that is clear and easy to follow.

4 – Be clear about the benefits to your customer
It’s often tempting to talk about your company or service and what you have achieved, how long you have been trading for etc. But you should always focus your message on the benefits of your product or service to your customers. Can you save them money compared to your competitors? Will you be able to free up their valuable time? Can you offer free advice or assistance? People are keen to know ‘what’s in it for them’ so you need to communicate that you are focussed on their needs and know what they want.

5 – Tell the customer what do next
Have a clear call to action. Should they call you, send an email or visit your website? Often it can be all three of these, but focus on what is easiest for the customer and have one main call to action.

6 – Use stories and testimonials
These are very powerful. Use your existing customers’ positive experiences of you to confirm your credibility and build trust. People are more likely to believe what someone else has said about you, than what you say about yourself.

7 – Check spelling ang grammar
A spelling mistake, a misplaced comma or an incorrect digit in a telephone number looks unprofessional and can have huge ramifications. It’s a very wise move to let someone else read any piece of collateral before you send it to print, post it on social media or email it out to your customers. It also gives you the opportunity to check if the message is clear and the one you are trying to achieve.

Did you spot the deliberate mistake done for comedy effect?

8 – Stay on-brand
This is who you are and dictates how your customers think of you. Use the same tone of voice, colour palette, font and logo across all your communications. However it’s not just the visual elements that matter. Promising a service and then not delivering when customers get in touch will cause mistrust and damage your brand. Be consistent in everything you say and do.

9 – An interesting font is never a good idea
It’s more important that people can read your message, than it is to look cool / cute / funky!

10 – Review and learn
Analyse what you have done after every campaign or promotion. How successful was it? Where could you improve next time? Did you gain some valuable information which could be used in another campaign or promotion? There is always something to be learned, even if it is to keep on doing exactly the same thing.

We love making sure your communications are as successful as they can possibly be. If we can help you, then give us a call on 01270 626 624.