3 questions to make things more engaging

Have you ever said to yourself, with a sigh of frustration, "Why aren't people engaging?!"

We all have. It's a frustrating place to be.

Here are three questions to ask that will help make your "thing" more engaging — whether you're engaging people in an event, a campaign, a vision, a podcast, an idea, a product, or even a date.

1. Is it CLEAR?

Remove jargon. Say precisely what you want people to do, and why. Explain it as you would to a 5-year-old — or a golden retriever.

Being clear is better than being clever. When you make things clear, the benefits stand out because you've removed all the noise.

It is amazing how many people will engage with something simply because they understand what is being asked of them. But if something is confusing, people often quit before they've even really understood what it is you're asking.

2. Is it ENJOYABLE?

The Marie Kondo method of organising your closet is to ask whether each item of clothing "sparks joy."

Joy drives action. Make it easy, yes. But ideally, make it play. Make it fun. Make it a positive experience, not just a neutral one.

On the other hand, if trying to engage with you is like trying to navigate the phone helpline of a bank, then don't be surprised that people don't engage. (I'm looking at you, Microsoft Teams!)

3. Is it USEFUL?

Make sure you deliver value such that people can use it again. Essentially, make it recyclable.

I attend many conferences, talks, and webinars. But many are non-recyclable — the content doesn't live on. The hour spent listening is wasted.

Instead, treat any instance where you deliver value as a rehearsal for how people will use it at home.