Communicating Complex Topics to Your Target Audience

One of the most common problems new writers and public speakers face is how to deliver the right message for the right people. That is a challenge that gets even harder when the conversation involves a complex topic or difficult subject matter - a frequent and rising challenge for professionals in the IT community.??

Since the goal of most speeches and articles is to engage and educate the audience, or compel someone to act, the messages need to be clear and concise. The more complex the topic, the more preparation will be required to deliver key points. Technology leaders often cover the types of difficult and multifaced subject matter that could easily go off track without a solidly executed plan. Engaging audiences with different preferences, knowledge and skill levels requires speakers to simplify the concepts and definitions and create easy to understand examples and stories that address each group’s unique pain points and interests.

Another issue is that those with the deepest understanding of the subject matter may not be able to convey that information in a clear and concise manner. Capturing and keeping peoples’ attention when discussing difficult topics - including some areas of technology and business - requires a combination of talent, planning and practice. Some executives are reluctant to center attention on themselves due to a lack of confidence, ability or nerve.? ?

The good news is with a little extra effort and expert advice and support, most professionals can overcome those challenges and excel at communications - live, video or print.??

Connect With Your Audience?

With an abundance of information and ideas at their disposal, some subject matter experts (SMEs) overshare or overwhelm others with their knowledge and expertise. Picture yourself sitting through a 100 slide PowerPoint presentation or reading a War and Peace-length whitepaper on how the internet works. Those extreme examples illustrate how some people feel listening to a 30-minute presentation that fails to gain their attention (and may actually put them to sleep).?

When the speaker or writer fails to communicate at the knowledge and interest level of their audience, the conversation is essentially over before it begins. Speakers and writers should never assume that everyone will be able to follow along with their discussions, especially when the topic goes deep or covers a lot of different aspects. Tailoring the content to fit the experience and expectations of the audience is essential. For example, if you are communicating scientific information to a general audience, you may need to simplify technical terms and provide more background information to help them understand the topic.?

Using clear and concise language when communicating complex topics. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to your audience. Instead of dazzling people with your use of elaborate words or creating your own unique vernacular, use simple language and explanations to ensure the audience can follow along easily with the conversation. This will improve information retention and encourage more interaction.? ?

Illustrate and Engage??

Visual aids can also help when conveying complex information. That may include diagrams, charts or infographics that help illustrate the information in a vibrant and very succinct manner. Visual aids can help your audience understand the information more easily and retain it better.?

Pictures and video add flare to slide presentations and help focus people’s attention on specific points or important takeaways from the discussion. Visuals break up monotonous text in articles and PowerPoint presentations and, when done to best effect, can imprint a key message in attendees’ minds. A recent study by Microsoft suggests that 65% of people are?visual learners, which is perfectly logical considering that researchers say the brain processes images about 60,000 times faster than text.?

That’s why professional presenters and writers add pictures and videos. Stimulating brains helps audiences retain more information - which is especially important when discussing complex topics.? ???

Less is More?

One of the best suggestions for dealing with multi-faced or hard to fathom subject matter is to keep it simple. Avoid using long-winded sentences and an excessive amount of text in your slides. Using fewer words in explanations and process descriptions helps focus the audience’s attention on key points and minimize potential distractions.? ??

Trimming the amount of content in presentations gives speakers more time for questions and feedback, which boosts engagement and ensures everyone is tuned into the conversation. That step also helps presenters clarify points, correct misunderstandings, and improve their status as writers, speakers or instructors.??

Font size matters, too. People tend to gravitate to the back rows or tables in industry events to leave themselves an easy escape route in case they receive an urgent call or message. Others simply like to lurk in the periphery. Either way, it’s always good to prepare slides so anyone in the room can see all the images and text. Making it easier to see not only improves readers’ comprehension of hard to follow or multi-faced discussions but increases retention of the presented information.??

Speakers should always ask about the size and layout of the room and the positioning of screens or monitors and adjust their presentations to maximize “viewability” for attendees.? ?

Plan and Execute?

While there are many ways to communicate complex ideas to your audience, without an effective strategy, your chances of success diminish greatly. Building a plan that incorporates the ideas and tips above will increase the impact of your presentations and writing projects.?

Streamlining the content is key. Complex topics often appear more difficult than reality, especially when you break them down and explain the terms and process and provide simple and direct context. Most people can even understand rocket science if the speaker or writer takes a straightforward approach with the subject - and follows that strategy from beginning to end.?

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