The Art of the soundbite
Too many candidates these days don't use the art of the soundbite to their advantage. It doesn't seem like a big thing, but it can truly work wonders for a campaign. Candidates so often want to tell everyone everything they plan to do down to the detail. For the sake of my last few brain cells, the redwoods, and all humanity don't succumb to the temptation.
The rules to a soundbite
The rules to a soundbite
- Use only 1 topic
- Make it a short sentence or phrase
- Make that sentence simple
- If asked a question make it relevant to that question
- It acts as a teaser to engage the voter into the campaign
- The media is more likely to seek you out if you are known to give good soundbites
Use a soundbite anytime you are asked questions by the media, when you address voters, and at the beginning of a speech. If they want more info they will ask you for it.
posted by Indiana Pundit at 10:47 AM
3 Comments:
When I have been in the audience of a candidate that uses sound bites, I hear the person next to me say softly "oh - come on" more often than not. The other comment I hear a lot is "he didn’t say anything." Rarely do people ask questions.
I attended the political boot camp earlier in the year and they spoke about sound bites and presented them in the same light you have. The best sound bite is to put fourth an issue without actually saying what side you are on leaving that decision to the listener. In this way both sides of the issue think you are supporting their side
Too me, a sound bite turns me off and after speaking with people, it turns them off as well. This then puts candidate between a rock and a hard place. There are many that like sound bites and a lot who do not.
Yes, some people may feel that way. People usually don't like soundbites when they are used at the wrong time or when used for the purpose as a slogan.
It is best used as a focal point in the beginning of a presentation or interview. If you don't have one the press will ignore you.
There is a fine line between too much and too little details being given by a candidate. If you give too little, then you get a response like your experience. If you give too little you lose credibility.
If one speaks, one must assume that the audience is only half attentive. Orators that want a person of this level of interaction to remember anything they say must beat their message into their heads.
Unfortunately, in the "instant info" society we live in, the only attention the average listener will give an orator is the length of a soundbite. Anymore and that is just too much information to process...for the average joe schmo.
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