Communicating is simple right? You open your mouth and words come out. Not so fast.
According to Dictionary.com communication is:
There are many different ways to communicate - which one is right for you?
We've examined our favorite modes of communication and break down the pros and cons of each.
Blog
Pros
+ Promotes thought leadership and credibility
+ Benefit for website’s SEO
Cons
- Significant time commitment
- Open to potential negative comments from readers
Pros
+ Recipients respond on their timetable
+ Wide reach simultaneously
+ Keep good records
Cons
- Potential to get lost in a full inbox
- Lacks personal contact
Media
Pros
+ Third-party endorsement implied
+ Free
Cons
- Journalist controls control of the message
- Potential to be misquoted
Phone
Pros
+ Personal touch
+ Allows for in-depth conversations
Cons
- Connecting with a live person can be a challenge
- Can take significant amount of time to reach very many people
Podcast
Pros
+ Creation is fairly simple
+ Good resource for those looking for information but not necessarily wanting to read it
Cons
- Hard to find via "googling"
- Trending preference toward shorter streamed videos
Video
Pros
+ A picture’s worth 1,000 words
+ Allows for both visual and emotional connection with your audience
Cons
- Producing them can be time-consuming Production is time-consuming
- A great video can be quite costly
Webinar
Pros
+ More inexpensive than in-person meetings
+ Recordings can be posted to website for viewing when convenient
Cons
- Difficult to obtain and retain attendees
- Potential for technical difficulties
Social Media
Pros
+ Instant feedback
+ Wide distribution
+ Aids brand awareness
Cons
- Compliance hurdles
- Time-consuming
White Paper
Pros
+ Platform to describe your unique point of view; ability to go into great depth
+ Can be terrific lead generator
Cons
- Can be labor and cost intensive
- Potential to be "dry" or boring
As you plan your next client communication, consider these methods. Which one is right for you?