Calling all instructional designers, teachers, preachers, and podcasters!
If you have teaching, training, or any message of any kind to share with people, you need to take a serious look at the changes that have already happened and begin preparing now to take advantage of the changes that are coming very soon.
There is coming a time—and actually, it’s already here—when your opportunity to communicate your message will be while people are on the go with their mobile devices.
So make your message mobile.
There are 4 parts to a mobile-friendly message. Two have to do with technical things. The other two are about good communication skills.
Listen here and/or keep reading.
Whether you want people to think differently, feel empathy, or act more effectively, you have amazing tools at your disposal to get your message into the hearts and minds of others.
In order to effectively make your message mobile, you need to understand these four parts of a mobile friendly message—half is technology; half is communication.
Technical
The technical half of a mobile friendly message includes both technology and technique.
Technology is the stuff.
It’s the microphone, the recorder, the DAW (digital audio workstation). It’s the audio editor, the image editor, the video editor, the word processor.
That’s the stuff. That’s the technology.
Technique is how you use all the stuff.
It’s proper mic technique so you sound good—without plosives (popping Ps) or lots of reverb because of the room you record in.
It’s paying attention to levels so your audio doesn’t clip—doesn’t go too loud. It’s also about making sure you don’t tap your pen or bump the table.
It’s how you edit so no one hears the edits—no one even knows it was edited.
So the technical side of the mobile friendly message is both technology and technique.
- Technology is what you use.
- Technique is how you use it.
Between these two, technique is more important than technology.
You might not think so right now, but it’s something we can discuss later.
Communication
Now we move to the communication side of this equation.
This is what you want to teach and preach. It’s the content. It’s the information, inspiration, education, and motivation you want to share in order to get people to respond to your message—no matter what the message or training. In fact, this is the heart of your message.
All that technology and technique—that’s what helps you make this mobile friendly.
There are two sides to your communication: content and presentation.
Content is what you say
Some people still say content is king. That’s not true. Content is only one half of your message. It’s only part of the communication process.
If you record a podcast or give a speech, the content is—the words you use. It’s the script—or the outline.
And that part is very important. You want good content. Make sure you have your facts right (and be willing to make corrections when you’re wrong).
But when you make your message mobile, you also have to consider the presentation of that content.
Presentation is how you say it
In that podcast or speech, the presentation is how you say those words.
It’s your tone of voice, pacing, pausing, varying your rate of speech.
When my dad would talk about this, when he coached me in giving a speech, he had this saying:
Speak fast.
S p e a k s l o w.
Speak high.
Speak low.
Speak like you mean it.
And most of all: Mean it.
How you speak is a big part of communication.
When you communicate YOUR message, you have to choose the presentation style you think will best communicate your content.
Presentation, by the way, can also be the level of seriousness or silliness and whether you’re respectful or sarcastic. Snarky.
The presentation can also include other elements: sound effects, music—or even the noticeable absence of those things.
Communication is both content and presentation.
- Content is what you say.
- Presentation is how you say it.
Between these two, presentation is equally as important as content.
So when you’re ready to make your message mobile, consider all four of these components: technology, technique, content, and presentation.
Why?
Why should you consider making your message mobile with a podcast? That has to do with cultural changes brought on by exponential technologies.
