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I have had an uptick recently of clients wanting to know how best to engage their audiences with ‘lives’ on social media.
Going live keeps a personal edge on your content and boosts engagement. But it can be daunting, knowing you can’t edit what you put out there.
So, I wanted to give some quick tips to help improve your lives. So, cue New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Ohio Director of Health, Dr. Amy Acton, who have recently become two pandemic-response powerhouses at the moment.
Tip #1: Show Your Vulnerabilities
In this emotional presser from March 25th, Cuomo gives New Yorkers reason to stay the course in their fight against COVID-19. He tearfully recites a quote from his late father, Mario, to assure residents of their strength.
Beneath the layers of his bombastic personality, Cuomo lets his guard down to remind us that he’s not only a government official working to combat the virus, but he’s also a citizen going through the rollercoaster of emotions with us.
The takeaway: As the old adage goes, ‘it’s not what you say, but how you say it.’ Honest emotion can communicate a whole lot more to your audience, and hold their attention, than a well-rehearsed conversation.
Tip #2: Highlight Your Point With Personal Stories
Acton analogizes a story about climbing a mountain with her husband, with the fight Ohioans are facing against COVID-19. Her calm and authoritative voice paints a picture about why teamwork was not just required to reach the peak of Mount Whitney, but also to make the descent.
As protesters rally outside, Acton doesn’t ignore them, instead, she acknowledges them. And then instead of arguing her point — she illustrates it with a personal story that explains why everyone (protesters included) need to be vigilant even after progress is made against the coronavirus.
The takeaway: Including personal stories gives credibility to the points you make in a live, and helps your audience grab hold of its meaning without overwhelming them with a barrage of facts and figures. Acton could have pulled out a graph to show the decline of corona cases. Instead, she told a story.
Tip # 3: Have An Actionable Message
Dr. Amy Acton addressed Ohio residents on how they can prepare for quarantine if they contract COVID-19. Her list of tips included pre-prepped meals, remembering to stay in touch with older family members, and making sure to have enough supplies for pets.
The takeaway: Whether your cause is promoting the use of vaccines, planting trees, or preparing for a pandemic, remembering to include an action plan for what your audience can do, or how they can support your organization, will leave your audience feel empowered. It’s also a great way to keep your audience actively listening to what you’re saying.