Soundbite Insights

“People still primarily scan, rather than read. Scanning all of the text on a page, or even a majority, is still extremely rare.” – How People Read Online: New and Old Findings , Nielsen Norman Group (April 2020)

So, with today’s article, we are at the crossroads of a conundrum. Based on research such as the one above, the likelihood that you will continue to . . .

Did the Cliff-Hanger Work?

If you are still reading this article, then our “you will continue to” cliff-hanger worked. However, in most cases, very few people ever read the entire text of anything, whether it is a short article like this, a well-researched paper, or for that matter, the “About Us” page on a website.

Writers often pour hearts and souls into text, diligent in providing supporting reference material, so you do not think of an article as a mere opinion. That said, writers take no offense if you drop a few words here and there. Let’s face it; people are inundated with information, so that headline reading with briefly scanned snippets is the basis on which we form our opinion about a particular subject. It is all about economizing time.?

For example, you only get one chance—and one-tenth of a second to make a first impression. In other words, scanning is nothing new, but how accurate are those impressions, whether it be meeting someone for the first time or reading an article?

How Strong is Your Belief??

When someone meets someone for the first time or scans an article’s headline, they form an opinion that can be difficult, if not impossible, to change. Changing one’s mind on any matter once someone has decided something is generally a challenge. We tend to hold on to our initial beliefs even in the face of overwhelming evidence that said conclusions are not entirely accurate.

Former scientist Ozan Varol refers to this stubbornness as “confirmation bias.” He then goes on to explain that it is our natural tendency as human beings to “undervalue evidence that contradicts our beliefs and overvalue evidence that confirms them.” In essence, we are invested in our belief about someone or something even if said belief is based on having limited facts such as the ones offered by an article headline.

Changing With Kindness

So, if cold hard facts are not enough to change someone’s mind, what will?

According to research , a kinder, gentler non-confrontational approach to getting your point across is far more effective than bombarding someone with facts. In other words, you are not selling them on why you think they are wrong or how you feel you are right. Think of this approach like being in quicksand; the more you struggle, the more you sink and can’t get out.

Instead by sharing with them your thoughts without trying to convert them opens the door to actual dialogue. You disarm both yourself and them and come to the table of mutual understanding. Unfortunately, it will take more time than most of us are either willing or able to invest—especially when we are not likely to ever meet the author of an article or paper.?

Regarding today’s post, what this means is that the way we take in information and make decisions is not likely to change anytime soon. As a result, we must become adept at conveying a message quickly, simply, and effectively in a world of soundbite insights.

By the way, aren’t you glad you read this entire post ??.