KISS Please
Understanding brevity | By Kristen Haldeman | November 19, 2019
Keep. It. Simple. Stupid. The “KISS” acronym is key to making your point memorable.
The most complicated skill is to be simple.
When giving a speech, it is crucial to remember that timing, as well as understanding your audience, will impact how your message is received.
The ideal for presenting a message is 7 seconds or 23 words, the average length of a soundbite. This message should include the main point with three supporting phrases. This structure presents the audience with the key idea that is simple enough to remember when it comes time for them to act. Of course, knowing the audience will impact the vocabulary of these few seconds.
Understanding your audience is also crucial to determine what language ought to be used in different circumstances. During a 45 minute presentation, giving context, stories, and explanation to the key point emphasis the importance of that point and delivers a more holistic awareness. On the other hand, a business email should consist of direct sentences void of fluffy content. For example, a presentation to the public about the difference between business to business relations and business to consumer relations will need more explanation than an email to a business executive about B2B and B2C relations.
Jay learned this lesson when he presented on the physical and mental benefits of aerobic exercises. His audience consisted of a mixture of medical doctors, physical trainers, fitness center owners, and the public press. He utilized a detailed PowerPoint with supporting material and sophisticated medical vocabulary. It was clear that his research was thorough. However, his problem was twofold: he did not present his content in a manner that made his main point clear and he did not consider that his audience was more than medical specialists.
The McCarley International mission statement exemplifies this style of direct messaging. We guide business owners, executives, and organizations who are driven to truly accomplish great things. The concise statement does not confuse the reader. Also, the vocabulary reflects a level that anyone can understand, from a 5th grader to a CEO.
When you leave a room, what is the thing that people take away from you? Is your point simple, clear, and applicable? Do you use vocabulary that makes your main point accessible?