To Be Heard More, Speak Less

The constant need to say something is slowly killing those who create and those who consume.

Arctic Sunset by William Bradford (Ad Meskens - Wikimedia Commons)

“I will begin to speak when I have that to say which had not better be unsaid.” — Cato the Younger

You don’t have to have something to say constantly.

You don’t always need to be on.

Sometimes, your audience simply might not want to hear from you.

And other times, the power of silence can convey something even more powerful.

We’re told that we need to post a certain number of times a day on Instagram, or keep up a certain cadence on Facebook. Snapchat creates the ultimate incentive for this behavior with Snapstreaks.

Why are we trying to convince each other that more is better? We’re trying to make up for the crowded newsfeeds by shouting our way to relevancy, which seems to be the only alternative to using paid media to be seen, now that organic reach is nearly gone.

Imagine if you decided to say something only when it was worth saying something, rather than constantly caving in to the pressure to produce. That pressure is creating burnout for producers and consumers of content alike.

“It isn’t only famous movie stars who want to be alone. Whenever I hear someone speak of privacy, I find myself thinking once again how real and deep the need for such times is for human beings…at all ages.” — Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers

More isn’t better. Sometimes more is just more.

Imagine how much more people would appreciate your work if you created fewer, better things.

Imagine how your team would pay more attention if you didn’t have something to say about everything.

Imagine how much more you’d enjoy creating those communications if you were able to create them with more deliberation.

You can create anticipation and interest with scarcity.

Thanks, and I’ll see you on the internet.

For subscribers, here’s an archive of our entries on listening and reflection.