How can you present new ideas with credibility? It's a challenge that many thought leaders face, especially when they want to challenge the status quo, introduce a novel perspective, or propose a radical solution. In this article, you'll learn some tips and strategies to help you communicate your new ideas with confidence, clarity, and credibility.
Before you present your new ideas, you need to understand who you're talking to and what they care about. What are their goals, pain points, assumptions, and objections? How familiar are they with your topic and your industry? How open are they to new information and perspectives? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your message, tone, and style to their needs and expectations. It will also help you anticipate and address their questions and concerns.
To understand how to reach a new audience, I find it’s helpful to pay attention to what draws my attention. What stops my scrolling? What caused me to open and respond to the email? Tapping into your own self awareness will help you navigate how to create content that resonates
Present new ideas with credibility by: 1. Thorough Research: Back your idea with data and evidence. 2. Clear Communication: Explain the idea concisely and in plain language. 3. Anticipate Questions: Be prepared to address doubts. 4. Confidence: Show belief in your idea. 5. Engage Your Audience: Encourage questions and discussion.
Framing is the way you present your ideas in relation to the existing situation, problem, or opportunity. It's how you make your ideas relevant, compelling, and actionable for your audience. A good frame should capture the attention, interest, and curiosity of your audience. It should also highlight the benefits, value, and impact of your ideas. Some ways to frame your ideas are to use stories, analogies, metaphors, questions, or challenges.
Most people aren't interested in hearing anything that doesn't affect them personally. A story in clear language appealing to their experiences, dreams and desires, or avoidance of pain can be a good hook to catch the attention.
The power of storytelling! Always have a few good stories ready that relate to the pain points, the expectations and the solution
Supporting your ideas means providing evidence, logic, and examples to back up your claims and arguments. It's how you show your audience that your ideas are valid, reliable, and feasible. Supporting your ideas also helps you build trust, credibility, and authority as a thought leader. Some ways to support your ideas are to use data, facts, statistics, research, testimonials, case studies, or demonstrations.
Addressing objections means acknowledging and responding to the potential doubts, criticisms, or counterarguments that your audience might have about your ideas. It's how you show your audience that you've considered different perspectives, scenarios, and implications of your ideas. Addressing objections also helps you overcome resistance, clarify misunderstandings, and persuade your audience to take action. Some ways to address objections are to use empathy, concessions, refutations, or alternatives.
As a former debate coach, I knew I was in a world of hurt when my youngest child rebutted me when she asked for something before she was even two years old! It went something like this "I know you don't want me to do X because of Y, but Z. And I was really hoping you would let me." The simple act of acknowledging the objection BEFORE making the ask will often disarm the immediate rejection and allow for the opening of a different POV. The criticisms can then be addressed with a perception of understanding. It demonstrates that the presenter of a new idea is cognizant of the change and the implications it has
Inviting feedback means asking for and listening to the opinions, questions, or suggestions of your audience about your ideas. It's how you show your audience that you value their input, respect their views, and want to learn from them. Inviting feedback also helps you improve your ideas, identify gaps, and discover new opportunities. Some ways to invite feedback are to use open-ended questions, surveys, polls, or discussions.
This is important both for the audience and for the lecturer and the position of understanding the material, realizing its depth to the perception of listeners. Also, the pyramid of memory(Dale's pyramid) indicates that this is the most effective method.
Following up means staying in touch with your audience after you present your ideas and providing them with additional information, resources, or support. It's how you show your audience that you care about their success, satisfaction, and engagement. Following up also helps you reinforce your message, build relationships, and generate referrals. Some ways to follow up are to use emails, newsletters, blogs, podcasts, or social media.
A follow-up definitely leaves a remarkable impression if it is handwritten….Mostly forgotten in the digital world but yet so simple