Success Advice

The Communication Secrets That Top Leaders Swear By

Communication skills are fundamental to the success of any individual/team.

Published

5 months ago

Dec 12, 2023

Frankie Kemp

Image Credit: Midjourney

As someone knee-deep in the trenches of running a business or managing teams, you know there’s a critical component that often goes unnoticed until it’s missing: clear, effective communication. This is why I offer communications skills training. A 2019 study has shown how essential this skill is: people are predominately hired for their competencies but likely to be fired due to a lack of people skills, skills such as being able to motivate, build trust and develop rapport with others.

Communication skills are fundamental to the success of any individual/team. When teams communicate well, projects seem to run as if on greased wheels; when they don’t, even simple tasks can become a Herculean challenge.

Getting the Foundations Right

The initial step in refining our communication prowess is recognising that clarity rules but tone come in a very close second. The way we stitch our sentences or craft our conversations must hinge on delivering our message without the frills that muddle it. Yet, we need to be able to create flexible communication styles to get the best out of diverse teams and individuals, as everyone has unique needs!

This means striking the balance between what you need to say and how you say it.

This simplicity starts with understanding our audience. Just as a skilled chef considers dietary preferences before curating a menu, effective communicators are often leaders who tailor their approach based on who is on the receiving end. Do they share your professional jargon, or will industry terms leave them baffled? Adjusting your linguistic palette to suit your listener’s taste is not pandering – it’s practical.

Compare the techniques of influence and communication to the volley of a tennis match: the serve, the return, the back-and-forth of the rally. The game requires adaptability, anticipation, and strategic play. Similarly, conversation requires active listening, not just to respond but to understand – to engage with the underlying sentiments and values that shape the discourse.

Crafting the Message with Care

The heart of communication lies in the careful construction of your message. The words you choose are the bricks with which you build understanding, and their arrangement is the mortar that holds meaning in place. But how does one select the right words? For many people in the business world, there’s a lack of knowledge as to what language will land.

Presentations lack a central message that hits at the heart of your audiences’ needs. This is especially challenging with mixed audiences, for example, when there are technical and business-focused listeners.. You need to think about what you want to get out of a presentation from both your perspective and that of your audience!

When we compose an email or prepare to speak, it’s useful to imagine ourselves on the receiving end. Empathy – the capacity to place oneself in another’s position – is a guiding star in the cosmos of communication. A simple shift in perspective can transform our approach, helping us avoid potential pitfalls and fostering a more profound connection with our audience, that will make both you and your message memorable – for the right reasons.

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” – Tony Robbins

Engaging with Emotion and Logic

Humans are emotional creatures dressed in the veneer of logic. Our conversations often weave through both domains, requiring us to balance rational thought with emotional intelligence. It’s a ballet where each participant must be attuned not only to their own steps but also to their partner’s emotional cues.

An effective communicator recognises when to appeal to reason and when to connect with feeling. If you want to be an effective communicator, you’ll need to increase your presence. This awareness is pivotal in situations laden with tension or when persuading an audience. By tapping into shared values or concerns, we create a resonant frequency that binds the speaker and listener in a shared experience.

Your Action:

Identify your core message and consider what you want your audience to remember.
Consider how you want to bring ideas to life through effective communication.
Engage through empathy and put yourself in your audience’s shoes. How would you react to that message?
Seek feedback afterwards to find out if communication has improved.

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Frankie Kemp

Frankie Kemp is a leading specialist in delivering exceptional communication skills training, presentation skills training and much more to help you and your employees be the very best they can be. As a performer and award-winning storyteller, Frankie helps teams and individuals be less vanilla and more thriller! Visit www.frankiekemp.com to find out more.

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How to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Blog

If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers

Published

3 weeks ago

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Addicted2Success Editor

how to choose the best affiliate programs for your blog

Picking the right affiliate programs for your blog is really important. It can make a big difference in how much money you can make and how much your readers get out of your blog. With so many choices out there, deciding which ones to go with can be tricky.

This guide is here to make it easier for you. It will give you clear steps and helpful tips to choose affiliate programs that fit well with what your blog is about, what your readers like, and what you stand for.

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Understanding Affiliate Marketing

Before you start picking affiliate programs, it’s important to really understand what affiliate marketing is and how it works.

Basically, affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service on your blog, and then you get paid a little bit every time someone buys something or does something because you recommended it.

It’s great for both the person selling the product and the blogger, because the seller gets more sales with low risk, and the blogger can make money from their blog.

How to Choose the Right Affiliate Programs for Your Blog

1. Assess Your Niche and Audience

The key to doing well in affiliate marketing starts with really knowing what your blog is about and who reads it. Consider the following:

Your blog’s content: What topics do you cover? Ensure the products or services you promote are relevant.
Your audience’s interests and needs: What solutions are they seeking? Choose affiliate programs that offer products or services that solve their problems or enhance their lives.

2. Research Potential Affiliate Programs

Once you know what your blog is about and what your readers want, start looking for affiliate programs. Choose ones that are well-known for good products, great customer service, and helpful support for affiliates. Resources to find these programs include:

Affiliate networks like ShareASale, Commission Junction, and ClickBank.
Direct searches for “[Your Niche] affiliate programs” in search engines.
Recommendations from other bloggers in your niche.

3. Evaluate the Commission Structure

The commission structure is a critical factor to consider. Look for programs that offer competitive rates that make your efforts worthwhile. Consider:

The percentage of commission per sale.
Whether the program offers a flat rate per action (e.g., per sign-up).
The cookie duration, which affects how long after a click you can earn commissions on sales.

4. Consider the Program’s Reputation and Sureness

Join affiliate programs with a solid reputation for quality and sureness. This not only ensures that you’re promoting good products but also that you’ll be paid on time. You can:

Read reviews from other affiliates.
Check the program’s history and background.
Look for any complaints or issues reported online.

5. Analyze the Support and Resources Offered

A good affiliate program gives you things like ads to use, training on their products, and helpful managers. Having access to these resources can really help you do a better job at promoting their products.

6. Understand the Terms and Conditions

Before signing up, thoroughly review the program’s terms and conditions. Pay close attention to:

Payment thresholds and methods.
Any restrictions on how you can promote their products.
The program’s policy on affiliate marketing on social media platforms.

7. Test the Product or Service

If possible, test the product or service before promoting it. This firsthand experience allows you to offer genuine charge and build trust with your audience.

8. Look for Recurring Commission Opportunities

Some affiliate programs pay you again and again for subscriptions or services that charge fees regularly. These can provide a more stable income compared to one-time sales commissions.

Implementing Your Choice

After choosing the best affiliate programs, the next step is to smoothly include your affiliate marketing in your content plan. This includes:

Creating valuable content that naturally incorporates affiliate links.
Disclosing your affiliate affairs transparently to maintain trust with your audience.
Tracking your results to understand what works best for your audience and adjusting your strategy accordingly.

Picking the best affiliate programs for your blog involves careful planning, research, and making sure they match what your audience likes and needs.

If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers.

The real key to doing well with affiliate marketing isn’t just about the products you talk about, but also how much your audience trusts and values your advice.

With enough time, patience, and hard work, your blog can grow into a successful space that earns a good amount of affiliate money and helps your readers choose the right products.