Get Attention by Getting Connected - How to get attention in a cluttered, busy world

How to Get Attention by Getting Connected

By Terry Brock

Today we are in a hotly-competitive world that is cluttered with messages. Getting the attention of people who are important (customers, bosses, potential buyers, and more) is not only a good idea, it is critical to remain in business.

So how can you get attention on Steemit and other social media platforms. Hey, everyone seems to be jumping up and down screaming at you, “Upvote me, follow me, like my stuff.” So, what is going to help you to stand out from the crowd? Put another way, “Why should I pay attention to you?”

A while back I read a book that deals with the subject of how to get attention in a noisy, busy world. It is called Got Your Attention?, by Sam Horn. In this book, she lays out the reason why we need to get attention when we are compressed for time. She also gives several pointers that can help you and me in our businesses and particularly in a very over-crowded, content-rich space like Steemit.

I liked the book so much I got in touch with Ms. Horn and asked her if she would consent to an interview and she graciously agreed. You can see the interview in its entirety at:

youtube.com/watch?v=blX_SOlNZ2g

Horn makes a claim at the beginning that I think is profound for our world today. “…if you can’t get people’s attention, you’ll never get their connection.” However, how do you get that attention in a world where we have an overabundance of messages bombarding us almost every minute?

Horn suggests starting with what she calls the W5 form. This is a form with questions that any journalist would recognize. They are What is the upcoming situation for which you want to prepare? Who is you intended audience? Where and When will this take place? Why will this be an ROI for your decision-makers? Finally, Why will this be an ROI for you? Using this as a template can help to frame how we approach a new situation and contact.

This is most important. Too many people spend all their time thinking only about what they want to say. They spend precious little time focusing on how they can benefit the other person. If we can change our thinking to how we can benefit the other person first we’ll get their attention.

Horn uses the concept of intrigue to capture attention. If you can be more intriguing in your approach to interacting with someone, you’re more likely to get them to pay attention.

Here are some of the ways you can get attention in today’s abundantly-busy world:

Ask “Did You Know?” Questions. By getting research and up-to-date facts about a topic, you can get attention faster. Instead of just spouting an opinion, share pertinent facts. Google is excellent for this. When you need to prepare, getting relevant, but little-known facts can grab attention much faster than opinions.
Don’t Show and Tell, Show and Ask. This is a method where you show a problem that people can relate to. Make the problem vivid and then ask if they can relate.
Ask questions like “Did you…?” and “Have you ever…?” to bring people closer to what you are discussing.
Keep Current. Horn makes the point that it is powerful today to share information that is new, rather than something that has been heard over and over. Make your approach fresh. Do your research (GTS - Google That Stuff) and have updated information which your competitors haven’t discovered.
Make what you say repeatable. Using a phrase which people can repeat to others helps to win acceptability. Keep your messages short, to the point and clear for others.

One of the most important skills successful people focus on today is getting attention in a noisy world. The principles in this book help us to gain a competitive advantage. Enjoy the video interview as you discover fun way to get attention.

What do you think? Please leave a comment below and share this with your community. This is a vital message that needs to stand out.

All the best,

Terry

Terry Brock, MBA, CSP, CPAE
Member, Professional Speaker Hall of Fame
Certified Speaking Professional

TerryBrock.com
BrockonBlockchain.com
[email protected]
+1-407-363-0505 (Orlando, Florida, USA)

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roselover (57) · 7 years ago

Attention needs skill of human and attention gives to the development of work
A very special article, my friend
Well done

$0.00

1 vote

terrybrock (71) · 7 years ago

Thank you, @roselover. Yes, attention is critical today. Too many people try to do it just by shouting about their own work. We have to focus on what others want and be very intriguing, as Sam Horn says so well in her book.

cryp1sol (43) · 7 years ago

Great advice, will take some pointers into consideration for future posts and moving forward.

Thank you, @cryp1sol. Blend those ideas into your future posts and let us know how it works for you. All the best!

mickyscofield (54) · 7 years ago

Attention? Rather, carving a niche and staying resilient and committed is surely the better alternative to been noticed in a competitive economy of intellectuals/clients

You are right that staying resilient and committed is important. I'd say it is vital. And part of that is getting the attention of important people. This is precisely because the economy is competitive. @mickyscofield you are right and it requires a combination of skills to be successful. Thank you very much for your comment. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future!

Thank you too Sir

fabianmani (53) · 7 years ago

This is a great piece, I'll have to resteem this. Thanks for sharing.

andrewjohntamban (54) · 7 years ago

Wonderful words sir terry. Every reader can apply this in daily lives. I Am happy to be your follower sir. And I am thankful because we caught your attention sir :)

lisaliebeslust (49) · 7 years ago

You make really good points. Smiling would be another important skill as I have learned and admittedly also being a blonde woman. Although, I fear that might wear off over the years :-)

Somebody summarized to me what to do when meeting an important person:

tell them what they don't know and not what they already know
offering something they don't have is better than asking what you don't know
never steal their time, because they are short of it
remind them of their importance and thank them for being such responsible actors

It helped me twice so far. Especially the latter seems to be an important one given that criticism is so much easier and faster to spread.