Have you ever submitted posts, tweets, e-mails, letters, etc, but had no one respond to them?

Then… because you really wanted to hear back, you sent another message saying, “why haven’t you responded to me?” or something similar?  There is a reason why you won’t hear back from them and it might not be what you think!

A classmate of mine, Diane Eble from http://www.yourbookpublishingcoach.com/ posted a great quote on her blog that said “Other people will help you sharpen your message so that it sings and communicates not just what you want to say, but what they want to know.”

This sums up what you need to know. Often we feel we know what we’re trying to communicate in business and yet it doesn’t really ‘sing’ to anyone else but you. You might not have meant for it to be self-serving but its possible your message has that feel to the reader.

So here are a few tips!

1. Re-read your post (or email) and see if what you’ve written tells the reader exactly whats in it for them. If you don’t know what to say, then either wait on sending your message, or be honest with the reader and say, “I’m new at putting this information together so if its not working for you can you take a moment to let me know why?” The teachers who live to inspire will respond honestly.

2.  If your message is not clearly defined you may only confuse your reader. Be sure it says what you want it to say.

3.  Micro define your message. Break it down as minutely as possible as if you were talking to a child without sounding condescending.

4.  Spell out the action steps you want them to take. If you are inviting them to meet you for lunch then tell them where, when, why, how and with whom.

5.  Remember the term, “what’s in it for them?

6. Don’t give up! You can turn your rejection into GOLD by telling yourself you can do it! Learn like the rest of us had to….and just do it!

Feel free to leave a comment.