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End-of-year rant: The "general public" is a myth. It's a concept that has (too) long been used in communication strategies. But it's flawed. The idea of the "general public" assumes a homogenous group, ignoring the rich diversity and complexity of audiences. It's an oversimplified notion that undermines the effectiveness of strategic messaging. And it's time we moved past it. Relying on the "general public" as a target audience leads to generic, unimpactful messages. It's like broadcasting in a void, hoping to reach someone, somewhere. (I call it the "shotgun tactic") This isn't just inefficient; it's a missed opportunity to genuinely connect and engage. Segmenting audiences, on the other hand, allows for tailored communication strategies. It ensures messages are relevant, relatable, and actionable. Understanding nuances within each segment – their preferences, challenges, and motivations – is crucial for crafting messages that not only reach but also influence and inspire. In a time when data and analytics offer profound insights into audience characteristics, clinging to the notion of "the general public" is not just ineffective; it's irresponsibly lazy. 😴 It's time to discard this outdated concept and embrace a more nuanced, data-driven approach to communication planning. Only then can we hope to create truly impactful and meaningful engagements with our audiences. Let's make (better) communication matter again in 2024. 🎯🙌 #publicrelations #communications #audienceinsights
Good call Philippe I hate that approach as well. Have a good holiday break
“Whenever I hear a client say he wants to reach the general public, that just makes me wanna cry,” said a former boss to a client once. 😊
Couldn’t agree more! “General public” is a completely meaningless concept.
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Hard agree Philippe. Anachronism from a century ago kept alive by continued use, particularly so politicians and media. Up to communicators to lead by example in talking about specified publics/audiences/stakeholders
100% Philippe Borremans. I wonder... is this about communications teams, or is it down to executive failure, or a bit of both? I was in a room of senior local gov comms professionals before Xmas, and one Head of Comms recounted how they had been informed their target audience for a key campaign was 'everyone'!
Yes We Can
Correct.
Chairwoman of the Communication Committee
4moAbsolutely right! I couldn't agree more. The general public doesn't exist. Throughout my career in communications, I've always thought it was a big mistake to use this in communication strategies. But it's undoubtedly for the sake of convenience that this notion is used?