How do you use technology to connect with your audience?

1 Know your audience

Before you choose a technology tool or platform, you need to know your audience. Who are they, what are their needs, preferences, and expectations, and how do they use technology? For example, if your audience is young and tech-savvy, you might want to use social media, video, or interactive features to capture their attention. If your audience is more formal and professional, you might want to use email, webinars, or slides to convey your message. Knowing your audience will help you select the most appropriate and effective technology for your communication purpose.

2 Choose your channel

Once you know your audience, you need to choose the best channel for your communication. A channel is the medium or mode of communication, such as voice, text, image, or video. Different channels have different advantages and disadvantages, depending on the context and the goal of your communication. For example, if you want to communicate a complex or sensitive issue, you might want to use a voice or video channel, such as a phone call or a video conference, to convey your tone, emotion, and body language. If you want to communicate a simple or urgent message, you might want to use a text channel, such as a text message or an email, to deliver your message quickly and clearly.

3 Adapt your style

Another tip for using technology to connect with your audience is to adapt your style to the channel and the audience. Your style is the way you express yourself, such as your language, tone, format, and design. Different channels and audiences require different styles of communication, and you need to adjust your style accordingly. For example, if you are using a text channel, such as an email or a blog post, you need to use clear and concise language, avoid jargon and slang, and use headings, bullet points, and white space to organize your content. If you are using a video channel, such as a YouTube video or a live stream, you need to use engaging and conversational language, show your personality and enthusiasm, and use visuals, sound effects, and transitions to enhance your presentation.

4 Use feedback

A key aspect of using technology to connect with your audience is to use feedback. Feedback is the information or response that you receive from your audience, such as comments, likes, shares, ratings, or surveys. Feedback can help you measure the effectiveness of your communication, identify the strengths and weaknesses of your message, and improve your communication skills and strategies. For example, if you receive positive feedback from your audience, such as compliments, questions, or referrals, you can use it to reinforce your message and build rapport and trust with your audience. If you receive negative feedback from your audience, such as complaints, criticisms, or unsubscribes, you can use it to address the issues and make changes to your message or channel.

5 Follow the etiquette

The last tip for using technology to connect with your audience is to follow the etiquette. Etiquette is the set of rules or norms that govern the behavior and conduct of communication, such as politeness, respect, and courtesy. Different channels and audiences have different etiquette expectations, and you need to follow them to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or offenses. For example, if you are using an email channel, you need to use a proper greeting and closing, use a clear and relevant subject line, and check your spelling and grammar. If you are using a social media channel, you need to use a friendly and casual tone, respond to comments and messages, and avoid spamming or trolling.

Using technology to connect with your audience can be challenging, but also rewarding. By following these tips and best practices, you can use technology to enhance your communication skills and achieve your goals.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?