With so many channels to pick from, how do you choose? Should you deliver your message via live presentation, virtual webinar, brochure, social media post, video, food demo, infographic, blog, billboard, or something else? The choices can feel overwhelming.
Identifying your communication channel is Step 6 in the 10 Steps to Creating Compelling Communication. Up to this point, you have...
It’s time to decide the best ways to deliver your message.
You might be saying, “I already know my channel… I'm a blogger, or a speaker, or a podcaster…” That may be true; your channel may be predetermined.
Even when your options are wide open, it is common to identify the primary delivery channel at the onset of creating communication. For example, you may have been approached to write an article or deliver a webinar online, but at this step in the process, confirm that choice of channel and determine if supplemental channels will strengthen the delivery of your message.
It is rare to deliver a message through only one channel. Presentations have accompanying handouts, articles link to infographics, social media posts promote blogs, and more. Multiple channels improve the reach and impact of a message.
3 Questions for choosing your channels:
When choosing which channels will most effectively reach an audience with a message, answer these 3 questions:
Is this a channel that is available and accessible to both sender (you) and receivers (your audience)?
How does your audience prefer to receive messages? Accessible and preferred channels are your best choice.
Does this channel add value to the message by its delivery style and options?
Each channel has features that can enhance a message in unique ways and can appeal to the individual learning style preferences of audience members. Select a combination of channels that maximize the message and deliver it most effectively to the entire audience.
4 Categories of channels:
Different channels offer unique benefits. Here are four broad categories of channels and what makes them a good choice:
Written channels like articles, blogs, brochures, and handouts provide a mode of communication that can be the most detailed, as well as easily referenced, quoted, and stored. If your audience reads well and expects supporting evidence or instructions they can refer to later, provide written communication.
Presentations and demonstrations allow for communication that is not only informative but also engaging and interactive. If your audience can be present with you in person or virtually and will benefit from real-time engagement and interaction, opt for presenting.
Videos can effectively show and tell information in a way that can be delivered multiple times to an unlimited audience. When the message is best delivered both visually and verbally and the investment in delivery can be maximized by recording for repeated use, create videos.
Social media posts provide concise, bite-size chunks of information, inspiration, or entertainment, and can market other forms of communication effectively. Choose social media platforms the audience uses.
Select channels to connect your audience and message
The right channel choice is one that optimally connects message and audience. Effective communication focuses on the audience, message, and channel in concert. These three focus areas must work together to achieve the desired outcomes.
Be willing to try a new channel
Keep in mind that your audience’s preferred channel may be new to you. Channel choices may stretch you as a communicator beyond your comfort zone. Be willing to learn unfamiliar channels.
New channel options emerge at a fast rate. Just when you think you understand Instagram, along comes Tik Tok. What’s coming next? Who can keep up!?
New and flashy isn’t necessarily the best choice, as the quote below suggests, but don’t limit yourself to only familiar channels. If Tik Tok is your audience’s preference, consider choosing it.
Need help choosing a channel?
Many chapters in Communicating Nutrition: The Authoritative Guide provide expert guidance on best practices and practical strategies for communicating via a variety of channels:
Chapters 16-21: Presentations and facilitated discussions
Chapters 22-23: Written materials, handouts, newsletters
Chapter 24: Videos
Chapter 25: Food demonstrations
Chapter 26: Food photography
Chapter 27: Mass media
Chapter 28: Newspaper and magazine articles
Chapter 29: Social media
Chapter 30: Blogging
Chapter 31: Online education
Chapter 32: Media interviews
Chapter 41: Journal articles
Chapter 42: Books
Which channel is your best choice? The right channel choice is the one that optimally connects your message and audience.
“Replacing paper with a PC screen doesn’t change the need for clear, precise communication.”
~ Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson
If you like this content, please share it:
