I am a big fan of the writer and thinker Seth Godin. His approach to marketing, in particular, is refreshing and innovative.
One of the questions Seth asks is: “Who is this for?” It can apply to a product, a service, or an experience. “Who is this for?” It helps the creator get very specific about what they’re making, how, and why.
Similarly, when you are preparing a speech or a presentation, it’s a great idea to start with this question. “Who is this for? What do they want to get out of this experience?” The answers will help you find your deliberate intention, the impact you’re hoping to have on the audience.
When we forget to ask this question, we just do what comes naturally: we think about ourselves. “What do I want to get out of this?” is not a fruitful question when we’re trying to be in the service of our audience.
“Who is this for? What are they curious about? What challenges do they face? What do they already know?” And maybe most crucially, “How can I makes sure this is time well-spent for them?” These are the answers we seek when we really want to make an impact.
