The 7 steps to effective communication are: 1) Define the topic by focusing on the minimum information needed; 2) Prepare by becoming an expert in the topic; 3) Develop a structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion like a story; 4) Be concise by using simple language without jargon; 5) Use visuals to increase information retention; 6) Be confident and persuasive to convince the audience; 7) End strongly by clearly stating the take-home message.

1. The 7 Steps to
Effective
Communication
Developed by Nathan L. Vanderford, PhD, MBA. University of Kentucky 2013

2. The 7 Steps to Effective Communication

3. Step 1: Define/Refine The Topic
• Resist making your topic too broad.
– Focus your content on the minimum information
required for your audience to understand the
topic.
• Constantly work to refine your information
down to the minimum needed. Repeat this
step over and over.

4. Step 2: Prepare
• Become an “expert” in your topic area.
• Preparation will allow you to:
– Better hone the content that you need to deliver
to your audience.
– Be more comfortable/relaxed during your
presentation.
• As the “expert” in the room, you should not be
intimidated by your audience.

5. Step 3: Develop Structure
• Think of your topic like it’s a story.
– Good stories have a beginning
(introduction), middle (primary “new”
content), and end (conclusion).
• Good storytellers always capture the attention
of their audience.
– Your audience will retain more information if you
convey a great, engaging story.

6. Step 4: Be Concise
• Use simple, standard language.
• Avoid:
– Overusing topic-specific language
– Jargon
– Repeated content

7. Step 5: Use Visuals
• Information retention increase as much as
6-fold when visuals are combined with words.
• Focus your visuals on the key points related to
your “take-home message.”

8. Step 6: Be Confident and Persuasive
• You must believe you are the expect and you
must display such confidence.
• You must incorporate persuasive language to
convince your audience of the importance of
the topic and the take-home message.
• Your confidence and persuasiveness are
directly proportional to the reaction of and
information retained by your audience.

9. Step 7: End Strong
• You should clearly articulate the take-home
message.
– Do not make your audience guess as to the point
of your presentation.
• Incorporate a strong, meaningful, and perhaps
dramatic concept to illustrate the take-home
message.
– This will help your audience better retain the
message.