An Unknown Audience - Remain Confident

When composing a recommendation report for an audience that doesn’t know you, it is critical to choose the appropriate approach in order to make the message effective. In Business Communication Essentials: A Skills-Based Approach, Courtlan Bovée and John Thill encourage readers to first “define your main idea and supporting points,” then choose between the direct or indirect approach (57).

“When you know your audience will be receptive to your message, use the direct approach,” however, if the audience is not familiar with you, the indirect approach is the way to go (Bovée and Thill 68). The difference between the direct and indirect approach, is that the indirect approach slowly works its way up to the main idea, whereas the direct approach starts with the main idea. The indirect approach also utilizes the buffer method which allows your audience to adapt a little before hitting the main points. Additionally, Bovée and Thill emphasize on adopting the “you” attitude where you “speak and write in terms of your audience’s wishes, interests, hopes, and preferences” (79). The idea is to get the audience onto your side, and adopting the “you” attitude is going to get you closer to this goal. Also, credibility is essential and something you need to focus two times more on, than if you did know your audience. Because the audience doesn’t know you, establishing trust and reliability is inevitable. 

 

Even though focusing on the different approaches, the “you” attitude and credibility is needed, it’s important to remember to stay confident. Delivering a report in front of an audience who knows nothing about you can be discouraging, but remain positive because “audiences need to know that you believe in yourself and your message” (Bovée and Thill 84). 

Works Cited

Bovée, Courtlan and Thill John. Communication Essentials: A Skills-Based Approach. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc., 2014. Print.