5 Steps to Effective Business Communication

Susan VartyCo-Founder and Partner, Digital Strategy

HeadStart Social Inc.

sue.varty@headstartsocial.comTwitter: @SueVarty

LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/susanvarty

1. Being Consistent Wins

ME

2. Understanding your Audience: Putting Them First

“You have these needs and I understand the steps involved.”

NOT “I can do this for you.”

“I think…”

BenefitsVS

Skills

What’s the Diff?

Exercise• Introduce yourself to me in a short email

(with 2 or more paragraphs). If working with a partner, select one person to introduce.

• Do not start the first two sentences with the pronoun “I” or “We” (or My).

• What benefits, hobbies, or accomplishments will make you memorable?

• What will keep my attention?

3. Leveraging the Pyramid Structure

4. Building Trust: How Attention-to-Detail Wins People Over

hi sue, i’m really looking forward to meeting you. i’m hoping you can help with a project…

Hi Sue,I’m really looking forward to meeting you. I’m hoping you can help with a project…

Hey Sue

Amazing Sue! Thanks for understanding guys!

5. Using Phrases for Specific Results and Responses

Email Subject Line = A Personal News Headline•Pleasure speaking with you: Resume from Sue Varty•Meeting with Sue: Please select the date/time•1 Minute Follow-up Request•Career Chat with Sue

Get to the Point!•Delivery: Draft Proposal as of November 4•Request: Please schedule the workshop date•Action: Please photocopy•NRN: Meet me downstairs at 12:15pm

All Communication = Call to Action•Subject call to action is ideal•Top and Bottom of Email•P.S. can be used very effectively•Use salutation and one greeting phrase. Then get to the main point.•Closing phrases: Looking forward to hearing from you,

Bonus: Communication Strategies that Get Noticed

• In person– reinforce how you are different, lower barriers (food)

• Use time limits, 1 min., 3 min.• Social networking combined with

offline events• Learn one new feature is MS Word or

Outlook• Start building a network now

• Learn copywriting and marketing techniques – read your junk mail

• Spend more time “up-front” and you will get more people responding!

• Talk to your parent’s friends (!?)• Other ideas?

1. Be Consistent2. Understand your Audience: Listening,

Putting them First3. Use the Pyramid Structure4. Build Trust with Attention to Detail5. Use Phrases for Specific Results and

ResponsesBonus: Use Communication Strategies

that Get Noticed

In Summary

Thank you!Questions?

sue.varty@headstartsocial.comTwitter: @SueVarty

LinkedIn: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/susanvarty

HeadStartSocial.com