Tickling People’s Auditory Senses – Podcasts & YouTube

How can I reach people that are triggered most by what they hear?

We all know that some people are extremely visual.    When they were in school, they could remember the exact placement on a blackboard, where a teacher wrote some fact that is the key to answering an exam question.  For them, the well crafted brochure or PowerPoint might be just the answer.  However, what do you do when people key most off what they hear?

Cues to how people relate to input can be identified if we pay close attention.  For instance, there is a difference between someone saying, “I see what you mean”, vs them saying “I hear what you are saying”.  Recognizing these cues and presenting information and a call to action in the right format might be the difference between enticing your audience to pursue the engagement further, and being tuned out completely.  Regardless of how compelling you think your message might be, the format of your message might give you that edge that is needed to connect in a deeper and more meaningful way.

So I am thinking to myself, what formats and media reach the more auditory targets?  A good friend of mine is very involved in podcasting and the technology underlying this medium.  Until I began delving into all of the equipment and software that he uses to create incredibly professional podcasts, I did not fully appreciate both the science and artistry involved.  Actually transporting a listener into a carefully crafted conversation can be very effective and engaging.  Combining the visual and auditory by means of a YouTube video or Google hangout can further enhance the impact.  Over the years, I have become very resistant to both sending and presenting PowerPoint presentations that were commonplace just a decade ago.  However, when combined with a voice-over and the right visual content, PowerPoint can now be transformed into an effective and efficient means to delivering the all-important call to action.  At the link below, you will find an example that I created some years ago:

Espresso Coffee Solutions

Because people are “auditory”, does not mean that they need to bombarded by sound.  Actually, they are quite the opposite.  Their listening experience needs to be uncluttered, thus allowing them to focus on the message.  Someone giving a testimonial should not have an obtrusive music track set over them extolling the virtues of your product or service.  The auditory frequently seek quiet time after hearing your message for thoughtful consideration and contemplation.  If you have just exposed someone to an auditory input, give them quiet time to digest and reflect before you dive into soliciting feedback.

When engaging in discovery, or laying out solutions, gear your language to their style.  Using phrases that are sensitive to their style will help you to relate better.  For instance:

“I’d like to tell you a story about one of my customers that really benefited from this solutions.”

“I’m not sure I heard you correctly.”

“Does this sound like the right solution for you?”

If you have discovered ways to deliver your message to people that are primarily auditory, please send me a comment and let me know what has worked best for you.

by David Phillips

Connect to me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidlphillips