Where Am I Taking My Audience

How to communicate and be able to provide an excellent presentation.

Where Am I Taking My Audience?

As I began my online studies, I did not know what to expect, all I knew I was embarking in a new journey. My perception was I had no perception. I was not aware this journey was about to challenge my perception of electronic communication. That is what communication is all about; it's about overcoming the audience perception and bringing forth a message. There are three major characteristics that should be considered when addressing an audience; needs and concerns of the receiver, culture and expectations.

Companies today invest time and manpower in researching customer's needs, wants and desires so they can be part of a competitive market. They believe the more familiar they are with the receiver, the easier this task will be (Lehman & DuFrene).

Communication with a diverse culture can be very challenging because people have different ways of thinking, seeing, hearing and interpreting the world. It is essential that the sender builds a connection with their audience. It was well said in an article written for a public relations audience, "If we who frame words for executives and organizations can learn to see through the eyes of the people we wish to persuade, if we can address their aspirations we can discover what motivates them, and nourish it" (Kirkpatrick, 2004, 28).

It will be then that the receiver will be able to develop credibility for the sender. It is clear that the perception of reality is also limited by previous experiences and attitudes toward the sender of the message (Lehman & DuFrene).

It is necessary not to envision your audience but to get to know your audience, so I ask the question, "Where are you going to take your audience"?

References

Lehman, C. M., & DuFrene, D. D. (2011). Envision the Audience, P61, BCOM2. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Kirkpatrick, T. (2004). Do You Know Where Your Audience Is Going?. Public Relations Quarterly, 49(1), 28-31. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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