3.1: Key Questions
- Page ID
- 173029
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Masters in the art of communication stay focused on their objective and approach audience analysis seriously. The more you know about your audience, the more comfortable you will feel. Where do you start in this? Here are some questions to help you begin to analyze your purpose and audience and get you on the right track. We’ll discuss many of them in more detail later in the chapter.
- What is the overall purpose of the communication? Are you trying to make a change in your audience? Are you writing just to inform your audience?
- If you had one sentence or 30 seconds to explain your specific objective, what would you write or say? (What is your "elevator speech" on the subject?)
- What format are you using to communicate? How much time do you have to prepare?
- Is there anything unusual about the time and place your audience will receive your communication (is it 1600 on a Friday before a holiday weekend)? A lengthy informative e-mail sent out late on a Friday afternoon may not be appreciated or even worse-not read!
- Who will read this communication? Your boss? Your subordinates? Civilians? The answers will have a direct bearing on the tone and formality of your message.
- What are the education levels, career fields and areas of expertise of your readers and/or listeners?
- Do you need to supply any background information, explanation of terms, or other information to your audience? Does your audience have experience with the ideas and concepts you are presenting?
- What does the audience think of you? Are you known and trusted?
- Is your audience motivated to hear and/or read your communication?
- Do you need to coordinate your communication?
- Are you making promises your organization will have to keep?