Don't Underestimate Your Audience's Intelligence

Before we get to today's post, I wanted to pass on an update to an interview that author Kathy-Diane Leveille did with me. In this update interview, she asked me to go over the circumstances that led to the Hollywood producer finding, and acquiring the rights to my book. She has entitled the update, Will the real Tony Eldridge please stand up?

Today, I wanted to pass on some advice that I often share with other people, especially when they put content out for others in blogs, articles, or even in marketing material. In essence, the advice can be simmered down to this: Don't underestimate your audience's intelligence.

I do believe that keeping writing simple and straightforward is a bedrock of great writing. An honest editing session can cut fluff, replace confusing words and can often turn 5 sentences into one sharp sentence. But even following this advice does not mean that you can't have complex ideas, or even thoughts that go against the grain of accepted truth. When you present these ideas, consider these suggestions.

• Don't start of by apologizing for what you are about to say- For some reason, when people go against the grain, some of them want to apologize about it. Readers love to consider well articulated independent thought. You don't need to apologize for offering you ideas. Some people make their reputation by not being afraid to challenge the norm.
  
  
• Don't overdo your supporting comments- What I mean by this is don't spend time belaboring your reasons for offering your ideas. A few, well articulated and powerful points will do the trick. Generally speaking, your audience is intelligent. They can see the point you are trying to make quicker than you can imagine. That doesn't mean they will agree with you, but give them credit for understanding your point when you make it.
  
  
• Don't take rejection personally- If you decide to speak on a controversial subject, you need to expect some degree of disagreement. Think of it as opening the flow of enlightened discussion. Disagreement can be a mark of healthy discussion.
  
  
• Don't Feed The Trolls- Only those nasty trolls use these opportunity to call names, belittle thought and launch personal attacks. Your audience is also smart enough to identify these nasty creatures. If someone crosses the line of acceptable behavior, they do not deserve a voice in the communication. I have no problem deleting, or even banning people for unacceptable behavior, though I tend to leave comments like these as exhibits for others to see. I have a lot of faith in people's intelligence to recognize trolls for who they are.
  
  
• Never be locked into your ideas- People grow and change. You may stand behind an idea faithfully, but that doesn't mean you have to stand behind them blindly. I have read sites where people have taken down past posts, or updated them by saying their their views have changed since publishing the posts. In the ever changing flow and growth of ideas, we have a word for people (or companies) that never change: Dinosaurs. Give your readers credit for recognizing your right to change your views.
  

These are just a few ideas to consider. The big take away here is not to be afraid to put yourself out there. People will appreciate it; they may not always agree, but they will appreciate it. Give them the credit they deserve. You won't have to worry about whether they get what you're saying, they will. People are intelligent and for the most part, they love to consider challenging ideas. Don't be afraid to offer those ideas to them.