"Look with your eyes and not with your hands!" I used to tell my toddler nephews over and over.. and over again. I would make myself the example, putting something on the table, zeroing in on it with my eyes and dropping my arms behind my back. I'd let them try. Fail. Try again. Almost. Fail. Try again.
Every mom and childcare giver understands the principle of repetition:
- Say it once, they hear you said something. And maybe the sentiment, if you're serious.
- Twice, they acknowledge the first 50%. And that's usually only if they think you're serious.
- Three times, they're starting to tune in to the blurry figure standing in front of them. They hear you. Finally. Maybe.
- By the fourth time, if you've stood your ground, made the boundaries clear and locked all the doors til the task is done, you may get the satisfaction of seeing the response you're looking for. And guaranteed, this is not the last time you'll say it.
How many ways can you give away a message? That's the last tier of communication - generously giving away the message again and again.
One of the cool things that has happened over time is that it's become standard for interactive media to have a metrics option, so that you can watch reactions, influence and dead weight media. It's becoming easier and easier to figure out what is and isn't quality information for your public.
Tell it. Watch. Refine. Repeat.
