As we draw closer to the Gillard-Abbott September Federal election throwdown, it will become increasingly difficult to have one’s voice heard above the white noise. As aged care reform is pushed on the agenda with the Living Longer. Living Better package, creative storytelling and clear messaging are vital if you are to cut through the fat.
Messaging is simple, if you know what you’re doing. When it comes to clarity of message, the Rule of Three should be kept in mind. By this I’m referring to the aged old writing principle that suggests that concepts that come in threes are inherently funnier, more satisfying and effective than any other technique. Think the Three Bears, Three Little Pigs, Three Blind Mice or even the Three Stooges. Don’t let these childhood fables fool you, their clear messaging and well-defined narrative is one of the reasons these stories are still told to kids today.
As D-Day approaches here are some handy tips to ensure that your organisation stays not only afloat but above the rest of the wolf pack:
1) Clarity, clarity, clarity.
There is no possible way I can emphasise this point any more. Without clarity, you’re only adding to pre-election marketing banter and noise. Your message needs to be the sanity amongst the chaos, then and only then will the point you’re trying to get across truly shine.
2) Know your subject.
Yes, this is an obvious one, but the power of knowing your subject or the matter at hand can never be underestimated. Additionally, it will give you the ability to view your messaging in context of the industry’s – enabling you to be able to create a distinct point of difference.
3) Keep it to three.
Mother was right, three is indeed best. Just like Charlie’s three Angels, you must fight the bad guys, or in this case, the competition. In keeping your messaging to three well-defined key points, your success will be as simple as Farrah Fawcett’s hair flick.
The force is with you. Go speed!
