How to be heard in a noisy world? The 1 Simple Solution
How to be heard in a noisy world that is getting noisier by the nano-second as more and more ‘hot’ tactics and glitz are rolled out? The increasing noise level makes it harder to find a solution to the core question for every solopreneur, freelancer and small business owner: “how can I be heard in a noisy world so that the right audience can easily hear me and find me?”
Why does Everyone Sound like Everyone Else?
However, It’s not just that is getting more difficult to be heard in a noisy world. There’s also something else going on, as Sarah, one of my clients, pointed out recently.
“Why is everyone sounding more and more like a copy-and-paste version of everyone else,” she asked.
She’d just read a new post by a ‘respected’ coaching professional, who she said, “should know better”. (i.e. she’s been in business for some time!).
According to Sarah, she’s now talking about “deets” and “peeps” and her every post is now “a thinly disguised ‘pitch’ that I can see coming from the first sentence.” Then she summed up her frustration:
“I can’t feel the person writing these posts anymore with all the fancy words and tricks, so I’m not going to bother reading them!”
I’ve noticed the same trend, too, and find myself unsubscribing and un-following more and more to what I call ‘template junk’ content.
Why are we Sacrificing our Voice at the Algorithms Altar?
Why are we sacrificing one of our greatest assets – our unique voice – to the algorithms which are constantly changing?
What I mean with ‘voice’ is not just the ‘how’ of writing (style, language, etc.). It’s also about how you show up in your communication – having your own perspective, the topics you choose to write about, the way you interact with the reader, etc. Having a voice is about having a distinctive identity that others can see, feel, sense, identify and hear. It’s about showing up as YOU!
In a world that seems addicted to the automated ‘clicks & likes’ game, isn’t it important to stand back, pause and just be yourself?
The Pressure to Conform in a Noisy World
Being yourself, however, is not so easy in a world where the pressure to conform is enormous.
When clients ask me how to be heard in a noisy world, I encourage them to start the process by developing their voice. The immediate reaction is to question the relevancy of my advice – “what’s my voice got to do with finding clients”. They they hurl a list of reasons why my advice wouldn’t work for them.
This list below includes the most common ones, but it’s certainly not comprehensive:
- No one would want to listen to them if they used their own voice. (If you haven’t tried, how can you know they won’t want to listen?)
- The voices that are seen and heard ‘out there’, i.e. the ones that have high numbers of views & likes, all sound similar. (Numbers don’t automatically convert into paying clients)
- They’re afraid that using their own voice would expose them in a public space, which makes them feel very vulnerable. (If you concentrate on connecting with your own audience, it greatly reduces the ‘dangers’ of being exposed)
- Using the same language as everyone else makes them feel like they belong to the group. And having a sense of belonging is important to them. (Exchanging your identity and individuality in order to fit in, is a very high price to pay)
The Benefits of Developing Your Voice as Your #1 Solution
While the pressure to conform and fit in is huge, it also overshadows the benefits of developing your voice. And it does take courage to take that step.
Not only do you enjoy the freedom to discover your unique voice and express yourself in the way that feels aligned with who you are and what you do, it makes it so much easier for those looking for you to find you. As I’ve already pointed out in relation to your story, your voice is also your USP.
Why Speaking in Your Own Voice Positions You to be Easily Found
Speaking in your own voice is one of the best ways to position yourself to be easily found by those looking for what you offer.
Because your voice acts like an antenna for those on your wavelength. They are the people already tuned into the service or product you provide and how it can help them. When you speak in your own voice, not only does it resonate with the right audience. It automatically positions you as the easily-found expert in your field.
Developing your voice also helps distinguish you from the crowd. It makes you ‘one of a kind’ for the audience looking for someone like you. Your unique voice helps them spot you immediately.
If you’d like to find out more about developing your voice as a key factor in successful business communication check out my self-study course here.
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