You're navigating conflicting opinions on content tone. How can you align stakeholders on the style?

1 Gather Insights

Start by collecting as much information as possible from each stakeholder. This involves engaging in discussions to understand their perspectives on the desired content tone. Listen actively and take notes on their preferences, concerns, and the rationale behind their opinions. It's important to validate their input, showing that you value their contributions while also explaining the impact of tone on audience perception and content effectiveness. This initial step sets the stage for collaborative decision-making and helps in creating a comprehensive brief that reflects a consensus on content tone.

2 Define Objectives

Next, clearly define the objectives of your content. What are you trying to achieve? Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or a combination of these? Understanding the goals will guide the tone of your content. Discuss these objectives with stakeholders to ensure alignment. When everyone agrees on what the content is meant to accomplish, it becomes easier to decide on a tone that will best achieve those goals. This consensus-building around objectives can significantly narrow down the range of suitable tones for your content.

3 Create Examples

Creating examples of different tones can be a powerful way to illustrate your points and help stakeholders envision the final product. Draft sample content snippets in various tones that you believe could meet the agreed-upon objectives. Present these to the stakeholders and solicit feedback. This not only makes the abstract concept of 'tone' more tangible but also provides a practical basis for discussion and further alignment. It's a proactive step that can mitigate misunderstandings and anchor future content development efforts.

4 Encourage Dialogue

Encourage open dialogue among stakeholders. Facilitate a discussion where each person can voice their opinion on the sample tones you've provided. This collaborative approach allows stakeholders to hear each other's perspectives and understand the reasoning behind different preferences. It's crucial to maintain a conversational atmosphere where all opinions are respected, and compromises can be made. This dialogue often leads to a hybrid tone that captures the essence of what each stakeholder is looking for.

5 Make Decisions

After thorough discussion, it's time to make decisions on the content tone. This should be a collective agreement, reached through understanding and compromise. If there are still differences, prioritize the objectives of the content and the preferences of the primary audience. Your role is to guide stakeholders toward a decision that serves the content's purpose and resonates with your audience, even if it requires making tough calls. Remember, not everyone will be entirely satisfied, but the goal is a cohesive tone that supports your content strategy.

6 Implement Feedback

Finally, implement the feedback from stakeholders into your content development process. Adjust the tone based on the collective input and refine your content accordingly. It's essential to show stakeholders that their opinions have shaped the final product, which fosters a sense of ownership and satisfaction with the outcome. As new content is created, continue to solicit feedback to ensure the tone remains aligned with your brand and resonates with your audience, adjusting as necessary for consistency and effectiveness.