Do you or someone you know suffer from over-explainitis? Some of the symptoms may be social media posts that get little to no engagement or glassy eyes during networking events or presentations. 

We've all been guilty of over-explaining things from time to time. Over-explaining can be anything from justifying your actions (ex. explaining why you're not attending an event) to discussing your love of a show, movie, or book (ex. why the British version of The Office is superior to the American version). 

Over the years, we've worked with many over-explainers. They know their business or industry inside and out and are excited to share ALL of their knowledge with a captive audience. 

The problem is they are so excited to talk about something they are passionate about that they forget about their audience. They know all the answers and think it will help people get as excited as they are if they provide MORE information. What they don't realize is that they have most likely lost not only the attention of their intended audience but also credibility and influence. 

In the past three years, attention spans have greatly decreased. The current rule of thumb is that you have less than 3 seconds to grab someone's attention online and about 25 seconds in person before eyes begin to glass over. Gone are the days of the two-minute elevator pitches, my friends. Brevity and concise messaging are what people want.

Here are some tips we give our clients about over-explaining:

1. Don't bury the lede. Journalism professors hammer this point into the minds of freshmen for good reason. Get to the Point! Tell your audience your main point and then support that point. Don't draw things out for a big reveal. You're not a movie.

2. Less is more. Remember when we discussed media training for the Toms? Say just enough to get people interested but not too much that you say too much and either get in trouble or bore your audience.

3. It's not about YOU! One of the biggest things we tell our clients is that it's about your audience, their needs, and their capacity. Respect their time and show them how you can solve a problem they may have.

Concerned you may suffer from over-explainitis? Reach out to us and we'll tell you the truth in 25 seconds or less. 

The Blue Tide Creative Concierge Service is Back! 

The Blue Tide Concierge Service is back, and we're setting sail later this month! This service is no longer a program or a limited-time offering. We are relaunching it as a permanent offering to better serve small businesses and business owners who may not need or be able to afford a more traditional PR/Marketing retainer.

The Concierge Service will get your business ready to succeed and scale. It provides hands-on skill-building while creating marketing and PR strategy customized for each participant. You'll have one-on-one hands-on assistance from our team to identify needs and execute strategy. Think of us as your North Star. With our expert eyes and oversight, we'll ensure you are on the right course. ⭐️

Are you tired of treading water? Click here to get on our list to receive more information.