Did you know that the average attention span of someone today is just 8 seconds? That’s right, shorter than a goldfish’s attention span (we're talking 9 seconds for them!). In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with notifications, memes, and endless scrolls, it’s no wonder we can’t focus on anything for long. If you’re trying to capture someone’s attention, you're literally fighting against hundreds of distractions. And the fact that you’re not even talking face to face? That’s like trying to shout over a rock concert while juggling flaming swords. So, how do you get your message across in a world where everyone’s already thinking about their next snack?
Here’s the answer: get to the point.
It’s like texting your friend when you send a message, you don’t write a novel, right? You just drop the info and move on. So why should anything else be different?
Step 1: Say Less, Say More
Imagine you’re talking to someone, and you start telling them your life story. You’re about two sentences in when they’re already thinking about what’s for lunch. So, save the backstory. If you want people to actually pay attention, focus on what’s important. Be direct. Don’t make them wait through a 10-minute explanation just to hear the real point.
If you're trying to convince someone of something, like why they should buy your product, don’t tell them about how it was invented, who the founder is, and all the cool awards it’s won. Tell them what it does for them, fast. People don’t care about the details until they're hooked. So, keep your pitch sharp, simple, and snackable.
Step 2: Cut Out the Fluff
In case you missed the memo, people don’t want extra words. “Fluff” is the fast-food equivalent of a giant side salad no one asked for. It’s unnecessary. If it doesn’t add value, ditch it.
Take a moment and ask yourself, “Is this necessary?” If the answer is no, chop it out. Streamline your message and make it easier to digest. Every sentence should do something important,No room for fillers, just straight-up efficiency.
Step 3: make it easy to follow
Okay, I know you’re smart, but trust me simplicity works wonders. You don’t need to use fancy words or long, winding sentences. Picture this: you’re talking to a 6th grader. Not only will you make your point clearer, but you'll also keep the other person from zoning out.
Keep your language simple, use short sentences, and get to the good stuff. Skip the fancy jargon. The goal is to communicate quickly and effectively.
Step 4: Respect Their Time
Time is precious, especially when attention spans are shorter than the average TikTok video. People are busy, and the clock is ticking. Be efficient and don’t waste their time with tangents, side stories, or random facts. Just focus on the essentials.
Think about it like this: you’re at the grocery store, and you have a list of only three items. You want to grab them fast. The same goes for your message, be efficient and get in, get out. Nobody’s got time for the long version unless you’ve already earned their attention with something worth hearing.
Step 5: Don't Forget the Hook
So, now you’re in the ring, ready to grab their attention. But here's the thing: you need a hook, a reason for them to care in the first place. Your first sentence? That’s your opener. If it doesn’t grab attention in those precious first 3-4 seconds, the rest won’t matter. Think about it like this: you wouldn’t keep watching a YouTube video that’s dragging its feet, right? You need to hit them with something exciting, intriguing, or funny from the get-go.
So, there you have it. To win the battle for attention in a world of distractions, you’ve got to be quick, clear, and to the point. Don’t waste their time, don’t overload with information, and please do not try to impress with unnecessary words. Remember, people are busy. If you make your point in 8 seconds (or less), you might just win the goldfish's attention.
So don't wait, get to work now. Or think about outsourcing it, If you like that idea, get in touch at jr.businessgrowth@gmail.com
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