Xbcom 275 Knowing Your Audience Analysis
Knowing Your Audience
XBCOM/275
May 18, 2014
Carlos Garcia
Knowing Your Audience
Before one decides to communicate information to the public, it is important to note that in today’s world of communication the general public no longer exists. The communication releases should be audience targeted; the key strategy is to identify the audience, their roles and needs, and how the message is to be delivered to achieve the intended purpose (Tennyson & Ray, 2005).
The Chilean Copper Mine collapse on August 5, 2010 left 33 miners trapped for 69 days and nearly half mile underground. The collapse became a news media frenzy, which captured worldwide attention. Reporters were on stand-by and ready to give up-to-date information as it …show more content…
became available. What you may not know is that the rescue operation involved millions of dollars, specialist from NASA and drilling experts from various countries. People who have never crossed paths or knew of one another’s existence pulled together to help those trapped have another chance at life. During this event, the audience (viewing and on site) was comprised of the families, coworkers, friends, and community. A hopeful, transfixed world waited eagerly for each miner to emerge from the darkness. As the world waited, many questions were asked, some unanswered. In society, each of us comes from different backgrounds and roles. Despite our differences we all shared a common bond of emotional concern.
Addressing the audience in a time of uncertainty and traumatic events, the speaker needs to have the understanding that emotions are high and the slightest word or comment could create an explosive backlash. In a time of anxiety, stress and heartache words become more powerful, this is all the more reason to plan carefully. One needs to be considerate and comforting to create a calm and trusting environment. Before speaking with the audience, whether addressing internal personnel or public, the speaker must obtain all the facts and details and decipher which ones would serve the most good and not create confusion or more heartache. One error made during the 2 months the miners were trapped involved the government. They were accused of censoring and losing letters families members wrote to their loved ones in the mine. Family members became enraged, confronting government officials, pleading to send the letters because it was uncertain if they were going to survive (Franklin, 2010).
During this time, the needs of the trapped miner’s families should be addressed and fulfilled. The representative meeting with the families would need to explain the events that led to the accident in a calm manner and offering assurance that military personnel and specialist from around the world were working diligently and swiftly on a rescue mission. Another need would offer moral support, prayer and counseling services for grieving individuals. The speaker should also offer the family the choice of receiving periodic rescue updates. The same message should be conveyed and received if notification was written, instead of verbal.
When addressing internal personnel, the same rule applies as with addressing family members.
All facts and details should be researched prior to communicating the chain of events. Colleagues are sometimes considered to be family, and this type of news could cause an outpouring of questions and grief. The employees need to know that rescue efforts were currently in process, and support and counseling would be available. They would also need to know that preventative measures were in the works to ensure miners safety for future expeditions. During a traumatic event, employees become nervous with their employment future. Reassuring them the future of the mining industry would create an easement for some who may be the sole provider for their …show more content…
family.
Before releasing communication to the audience it is best to consider the appropriate channel for relaying the information to both audiences (family and colleagues).
For families who may be waiting at the mining site, communicating face-to face is a respectful approach. For families who may be estranged or in another area, the best approach would be a telephone conversation. If unavailable the next option would be through news media or in a memo. When communicating to employees, it is best to also relay the news face-to-face. If that is not feasible, a letter addressing the events is the next appropriate choice. If speaking directly to the audience, start with the audience knowing that anytime throughout the conversation they may request clarity for understanding purposes. In a time of tragedy, questions are automatic; giving the audience the ability to ask questions and ask for more information reduces confusion and the likelihood of emotional outbursts. Achieving this requires a calm demeanor; every aspect from tone, choice of words and body language needs to be warm and welcoming. Maintaining composure and even tone can serve as an aid to help control emotions and keep the conversation on track.
Communication is a powerful concept that is performed through various forms; written, verbal and non-verbal (body language). The key to communication is relaying the message to the recipient as intended. Effective communication should be audience targeted; the key strategy is to
identify the audience, their roles and needs, and how the message is to be delivered to achieve the intended purpose.
References
Franklin, J. (2010). The Washington Post: Trapped Chilean Miners, Families Frustrated Over Mail Delivery. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/05/AR2010090503426.html
Tennyson, P. A., & Ray, K. (2005). Reaching Today’s Utility Audiences: Why There is no Such Thing as the General Public. American Water Works Association. Journal, 97 (1), 49-49-51. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/221571012?accountid=45049
XBCOM/275
May 18, 2014
Carlos Garcia
Knowing Your Audience
Before one decides to communicate information to the public, it is important to note that in today’s world of communication the general public no longer exists. The communication releases should be audience targeted; the key strategy is to identify the audience, their roles and needs, and how the message is to be delivered to achieve the intended purpose (Tennyson & Ray, 2005).
The Chilean Copper Mine collapse on August 5, 2010 left 33 miners trapped for 69 days and nearly half mile underground. The collapse became a news media frenzy, which captured worldwide attention. Reporters were on stand-by and ready to give up-to-date information as it …show more content…
became available. What you may not know is that the rescue operation involved millions of dollars, specialist from NASA and drilling experts from various countries. People who have never crossed paths or knew of one another’s existence pulled together to help those trapped have another chance at life. During this event, the audience (viewing and on site) was comprised of the families, coworkers, friends, and community. A hopeful, transfixed world waited eagerly for each miner to emerge from the darkness. As the world waited, many questions were asked, some unanswered. In society, each of us comes from different backgrounds and roles. Despite our differences we all shared a common bond of emotional concern.
Addressing the audience in a time of uncertainty and traumatic events, the speaker needs to have the understanding that emotions are high and the slightest word or comment could create an explosive backlash. In a time of anxiety, stress and heartache words become more powerful, this is all the more reason to plan carefully. One needs to be considerate and comforting to create a calm and trusting environment. Before speaking with the audience, whether addressing internal personnel or public, the speaker must obtain all the facts and details and decipher which ones would serve the most good and not create confusion or more heartache. One error made during the 2 months the miners were trapped involved the government. They were accused of censoring and losing letters families members wrote to their loved ones in the mine. Family members became enraged, confronting government officials, pleading to send the letters because it was uncertain if they were going to survive (Franklin, 2010).
During this time, the needs of the trapped miner’s families should be addressed and fulfilled. The representative meeting with the families would need to explain the events that led to the accident in a calm manner and offering assurance that military personnel and specialist from around the world were working diligently and swiftly on a rescue mission. Another need would offer moral support, prayer and counseling services for grieving individuals. The speaker should also offer the family the choice of receiving periodic rescue updates. The same message should be conveyed and received if notification was written, instead of verbal.
When addressing internal personnel, the same rule applies as with addressing family members.
All facts and details should be researched prior to communicating the chain of events. Colleagues are sometimes considered to be family, and this type of news could cause an outpouring of questions and grief. The employees need to know that rescue efforts were currently in process, and support and counseling would be available. They would also need to know that preventative measures were in the works to ensure miners safety for future expeditions. During a traumatic event, employees become nervous with their employment future. Reassuring them the future of the mining industry would create an easement for some who may be the sole provider for their …show more content…
family.
Before releasing communication to the audience it is best to consider the appropriate channel for relaying the information to both audiences (family and colleagues).
For families who may be waiting at the mining site, communicating face-to face is a respectful approach. For families who may be estranged or in another area, the best approach would be a telephone conversation. If unavailable the next option would be through news media or in a memo. When communicating to employees, it is best to also relay the news face-to-face. If that is not feasible, a letter addressing the events is the next appropriate choice. If speaking directly to the audience, start with the audience knowing that anytime throughout the conversation they may request clarity for understanding purposes. In a time of tragedy, questions are automatic; giving the audience the ability to ask questions and ask for more information reduces confusion and the likelihood of emotional outbursts. Achieving this requires a calm demeanor; every aspect from tone, choice of words and body language needs to be warm and welcoming. Maintaining composure and even tone can serve as an aid to help control emotions and keep the conversation on track.
Communication is a powerful concept that is performed through various forms; written, verbal and non-verbal (body language). The key to communication is relaying the message to the recipient as intended. Effective communication should be audience targeted; the key strategy is to
identify the audience, their roles and needs, and how the message is to be delivered to achieve the intended purpose.
References
Franklin, J. (2010). The Washington Post: Trapped Chilean Miners, Families Frustrated Over Mail Delivery. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/05/AR2010090503426.html
Tennyson, P. A., & Ray, K. (2005). Reaching Today’s Utility Audiences: Why There is no Such Thing as the General Public. American Water Works Association. Journal, 97 (1), 49-49-51. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/221571012?accountid=45049