Cut Through the Noise: Crafting Clear Messaging That Matters
- Antonette Green
- Jun 5
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 30
Over the past few years, you've likely heard "messaging" and "audience" tossed around a lot when marketing is discussed. These terms have almost become marketing buzzwords.
Think of messaging as how you talk about what your vision is about to everyone – the people you help, your supporters, partners, and anyone who cares. It’s basically your story, what you do, how it helps, and what you want people to do next.
And simply put, your audience is the people you're talking to – whether it's the people you help, your partners, or your supporters.
The way you talk about your vision shapes how people see you and decide to get involved. It helps them decide if they’ll like what you offer, join your team, tell others about you, support you, or just walk away.
Messaging is what you say, where you say it, and how you say it. And it goes beyond words - it’s also the images you use and how you portray your vision in person and online. Everything you say can add to or take away from the message you want to convey.
Why Clear Messaging Matters
When working to help others, whether it’s through a ministry, nonprofit, or ministry, your messaging directly affects how well it connects with those you help, gain support, and actually make your vision's goals happen.
The average person is bombarded with messaging on a daily basis via the internet, social media, email, even plain old snail mail, from organizations all trying to get their attention. A clear message cuts through all that noise. Clear, simple messaging is easier to remember.
When your messaging is confusing or requires too much mental effort to understand, it's perceived as noise. And if it's noise, it WILL be ignored and forgotten.
Clear messaging helps your vision stand out from the crowd of others. Because though many are talking, very few are clear.
And clear, simple messaging will save you time as you build because you won’t have to constantly figure out how to talk about your vision, and with a message that’s clear and repetitive, soon others will be spreading your message for you.
Clear Up Your Messaging
Developing a clear and simple messaging plan is so important that I include it in all the packages I offer; and when I sit down with visions that help others to work on their messaging, we dig into the different elements and methods of messaging and personalize it to fit the vision and those it serves.
Here are some simple pointers I give to my clients that can help you start to clear up your messaging.
Get clarity yourself first
Clarity starts with you. To clearly communicate what your vision is about, you must be clear on what you do and able to clearly articulate it.
A good place to start is by asking yourself: “Who does my vision help, what problem is my vision helping them solve, how, and why does it matter?”
Here are some examples for you to get the juices flowing:
Who does my vision help?
"Single mothers recovering from addiction", "college students struggling with anxiety", "rural communities without clean water", “families struggling to eat 3 meals a day”
What problem is my vision helping to solve?
"Lack of hope and purpose", "financial insecurity", "spiritual isolation", "food insecurity"
How is my vision helping to solve this problem?
"Through mentoring and life skills training", "faith-based recovery programs", "microloans and financial literacy workshops"
Why does it matter?
"Because every child deserves to grow up with hope", "Because clean water is the foundation for a thriving community"
This is essentially your overall message for your vision. Once in place, you just have to keep communicating it, in different ways and from different angles, but the same message.
Structure how you talk to them
Whether you’re asking for support, creating awareness, or want to move your audience to the next level of engagement, use a simple framework like this:
Person - Who does your vision help?
Problem – What problem does your vision help them solve?
Solution – What do you do?
Impact – What difference will the solution make in their life?
Call to Action – What should people do next?
You can build on this or expand on an aspect or two. But be sure these elements are reflected in some way when you communicate your message.
Frame Your Message Around Them
Frame your message around those you help or the supporter, NOT your vision.
Most people have an innate desire to better their lives, be better, and/or help make someone else’s life better. And they are on a continual journey to do so.
With your messaging, you are telling a story. Tell a story where your audience is the main character, one where they can be the hero. And you and your vision are there guiding them in their quest for better; and what your vision provides is the vessel to help them win the day.
Not only will what you have to say stick more in their minds, they may just take you up on your offer to guide them in their journey to better.
So instead of “We run a food pantry,”
Say “You can help families eat tonight.” (supporter) or “Don’t worry about what your family will eat tonight. It’s on us.” (those you help)
Talk how they would talk
Tailor your language to who you’re talking to. Stay away from buzzwords, insider terms, industry jargons, or vague phrases or mission statements.
Use everyday language and words they would use. Chances are you’re not talking to other peers, those who do what you do. You’re talking to everyday people.
(And I say, even when you’re talking to fellow peers, opt for clear not “smart”. You’ll connect faster.)
So instead of: “We empower transformational community engagement...”
Say “We help neighbors help each other…”
If you have to use jargon, explain it. That doesn't mean talk down to them, just give enough context so people get it.
Use the rule of one
One message, one audience, one action per communication.
Avoid including multiple topics or requests into one email or post. Overloading your audience will overwhelm them, and they'll disengage.
If multiple actions are necessary, don't include more than 2 or 3 and make sure the main action stands out.
Be specific when asking them to take action
Don't be passive or clever, be clear. Tell them exactly what to do next, even if you think they already know. Lay out all the details so there's no confusion at all.
So instead of “Join us”
Say “Join us today at 10:30 at the library on West Street”
Or
Instead of “You can make a difference”
Say “Start making a difference today with just $20/month. Click or tap here to begin.”
(St. Jude's does a really good job with this.)
Be consistent across all channels
Make sure your website, social media, printed material are all saying the same thing. Make sure your team knows your message and is communicating it the same way.
*Side note*
To maximize social media impact, stick to a single title in your headline. Select the title you want to be known for and that resonates most with your target audience, and then ensure your content aligns accordingly.
Communicate with intent
Frequent, valuable communication with your audience is key. You may feel that in order to stay relevant and visible you have to post, post, post or email them every day. But over-posting is a real thing, and emailing without a real reason can lead your audience to tuning you out. Focus on providing genuine value in each communication to keep them engaged.
Final Thoughts
A clear message with simple language that focuses on your audience delivered consistently: that's how you grab attention, build relationships, and drive action. It's an ongoing effort but you won’t regret it.
Putting It into Action
Over the next two weeks:
Get clarity yourself first - Sit down and answer the following questions:
Who does my vision help?
What problem is my vision helping to solve?
How is my vision helping to solve this problem?
Why does it matter?
Communicate with intent - Before you send out your next communication, ask yourself:
Is there a reason why I’m posting?
What value is it adding - to inform, to encourage them, to brighten, to invite them to move forward in their journey to better?
What do you want them to take away?
What actions do I want them to take?
Keep these tips in front of you. Bookmark this post so you can continually refer to it as you communicate your vision to your audience.
Comment and Share
Out of the eight tips above, which one spoke to you the most? What is an area in the messaging of your vision that you can clear up?
Comment below. And if you found these tips helpful, let me know that too!
Lastly, if you know of someone who has a business, nonprofit, or ministry that helps others that could be helped by these tips, share this post with them using the icons below.
I'm rooting for you on as you clear up your messaging 😀
It was very insightful.