What are communication models?
A model of communication describes how you interact with your customers and clients. When we talk about the models of communication, we refer to the way in which you interact with different people.
In a lot of ways, mental and emotional factors dictate the way we communicate with employees, business partners, customers, and potential clients.
When you develop a communication process, there are several important questions that you need to answer.
For example, what are you trying to communicate? When are you communicating with them? Who are you trying to communicate with? Why are you talking to them?
It is the answers to a lot of these questions that dictate the nature of the communication model. Because you need to figure out which model is best for your marketing needs, it is important to understand the direct relationship between your communication strategy and your overall marketing tactics. If you choose the right communication model, you can effectively connect with customers.
Why are communication models helpful in marketing?
If you take a look at a communication model example, you might be wondering which one is best for your marketing needs. It is important to choose the right communication model because it is integral to customer care.
Today, customers care more about who they spend their money with than ever before.
Even though it is important to provide quality products and services, you need to follow customer-first marketing tips. You need to let the customer know that he or she is important to your company. Otherwise, you will have a difficult time with lead generation.
Every customer is different, and not everyone is going to be ready to make a purchase the first time they interact with you. For example, you might want to have different communication strategies available for different stages of the marketing funnel as they require various communication skills.
If you are talking to someone for the first time about the products and services you offer, you are probably going to communicate with them differently when compared to someone who has purchased your products in the past.
That is why it is important to use a communication process. You can figure out the most effective way to communicate with different customers and clients depending on the relationship they have with your company.
Types of models of communication
If you are trying to find the right model of communication for your business, you will see that there are plenty of communication theory options available.
You need to figure out which communication model is best for your company, and that is why it is helpful to look at a few examples.
Some of the most common types of complex models include linear, transmission, and interaction models of communication.
Linear communication models
The first model of communication you may use is a linear model. In a linear communication model, it is a one-way interaction where you are not getting feedback from your customers along the way. This is the most common communication model.
After all, there are probably a lot of times when you reach out to customers and clients but do not necessarily get a response.
There are a lot of people who have had an established linear model of communication in the past. For example, you may have heard about Aristotle’s model, which was developed in 300 BC. This is a communication model where the sender distributes information to the receiver in an attempt to influence them to take certain courses of action.
This also formed the basis for a future linear model of communication, which was called Laswell’s model. It was developed in 1948.
In his model, he used several defining characteristics to control the type of message that was sent from the sender to the receiver.
This includes who sent the message, what was said, the channel used, and the effect in which it was distributed. All of this is going to have an influence on how communication functions and the ultimate response of the person receiving the message.
Transactional models
A transaction model views communication as helpful to businesses because there is immediate feedback. A transactional model of communication differ significantly from others as simultaneous communication is an important element of this communication process.
If there is a gap between what the sender distributes and how the receiver responds, then it is not a transactional communication model.
If you receive simultaneous feedback from your target market, you should use that information to improve the quality of your marketing campaign. Hence why, this transactional model is so important.
Interactive communication models
Another communication model refers to interactive models of communication. An interaction model portrays context between a two-way communication where there is feedback on the part of the receiver.
However, the feedback is not necessarily simultaneous. It may take a long time until feedback is sent from the receiver to the original sender.
As a result, some people may feel like they are in a linear model of communication because it takes a long time for them to hear back. Interactive models are important because it provides the receiver with an opportunity to influence what the sender might say next.
If you are moving someone down the funnel in a drip campaign, you might use an interactive communication model to decide what to say next.
Ultimately, these are just a few of the most common types of communication models. Many of them are incorporated into the basics of branding, and you need to figure out what type of communication model describes the relationship you have with your customers and clients.
Why should you consider a communication theory
There are several reasons why you need to think about your communication model. They include:
Builds a strong relationship with customers
It dictates the relationship you have with your customer. If you want to improve your conversion rate, you need to think about how you communicate with your target market.
As long as you have a strong communication strategy in place, you should have an easy time figuring out the needs of your target market. Then, you can use this information to improve your customer retention strategies.
Establishes your brand identity
Next, your model of communication is also important because it dictates your brand identity. Today, customers make decisions faster than they ever did in the past, and you need to make a positive first impression on them.
That is why you need to focus on successful community building using your communication model. If you let your customers know that you care about what they think, you will have an easier time positioning your company as an industry leader.
Dictates your marketing channels
Your communication process is critical because it will dictate how you distribute your marketing resources. There are lots of different marketing channels available, and you need to think about which one is right for your company.
For example, do you need to move more resources into a linear communication model? Or, do you need to use a transactional model because you need to get more feedback from your customers?
You need to collect the necessary information to make these decisions, and that is why you need to focus on your communication model.
To take full advantage of all of these complex models of communication, you need to find a way to connect with your customers. That means you need to use the necessary tools to help you. That way, you can figure out what is working, what is not, and how you can improve your advertising strategies in the future.
Connect with your customers
Ultimately, you need to think carefully about your communication process because they dictate your ability to connect with your customers.
Because customers have high expectations in the current environment, you need to develop a strong relationship with them if you want to increase your conversion rate.
That means you need to use the necessary tools. For example, there are some tools that have been designed to help you form a linear communication model, and there are other tools that are meant to help you form an interactive or transactional model.
Regardless, you need to take advantage of all marketing channels to make sure that you use all of the resources at your disposal.
If you work with Mailchimp, you will get access to a variety of tools that can help you not only communicate with your customers but also track what is working and what is not.
There might be some situations where you need to use a linear communication channel to let customers know about the different products and services you offer. Then, there might be other situations where you need to collect feedback from your customers about a product or service that has been around for a long time.
Keep in mind that communication should be a two-way street. When you start to collect feedback from your customers, you need to figure out how you can use it to improve the quality of your marketing campaign.
By tracking key performance indicators using tools from Mailchimp, you will have an easier time positioning your company as a force in your industry. Consider getting started with Mailchimp today.