If you’re a Big Visionary, you’re able to imagine a different future before everyone else. You’re an innovator. A changemaker. You might also be spiritually inclined. Whatever kind of Big Visionary you are, finding language to describe your work that is ahead of the curve, or that feels beyond words can be a challenge.

If you’re having trouble communicating what you do in a clear, concise way, here is a 7-step process I use with clients that you can try on your own:

1. Talk

Have someone interview you about your work. There is something about talking, rather than writing about your work that can free you to speak authentically, passionately and clearly about it.

2. Record

Record your call with a program like ecamm Call Recorder for Skype, or Zoom, or your face-to-face conversation with an app like Supernote.

Your interviewer can ask things like:

• What do you do?
• Who do you work with?
• Where do you work?
• Why do you do this work?
• How do you do this work?
• How do people benefit from this work?

As well as any other questions they might have.

3. Transcribe

Transcribe the recording of your interview. I recommend you do this yourself, rather than having someone else do it. As you type what you’re listening to, you’ll notice when you sound particularly passionate, clear and resonant. Bold those parts as you go.

4. Highlight

Once it’s all transcribed, print it out, and let it sit for a day, or two. When you go back to it, highlight all of the parts that jump out as truly capturing your work.

5. Collage your copy

In the digital version of your transcript, cut out all of the words, phrases, paragraphs and ideas you highlighted in your printed version into a second document. Here’s where you’re going to do what I like to call “collage copywriting.” Move all of those words, phrases, paragraphs and ideas around to create the most concise description possible of your work.

6. Read it out loud

Once you’ve pulled together a solid first draft of your piece, read it aloud. When we read to ourselves, we sometimes unconsciously fill in words and ideas that aren’t actually on the page. Reading aloud will help you notice places where the phrasing is awkward, the sentences are too long, or when you tune out. Go back in and fine-tune these areas.

7. Share it with your ideal audience

Find a person, or people who are like the kinds of people you want to work with and serve. Ask them to give you feedback on what you’ve written. You can even ask them versions of the same questions you were asked during your interview to see if they truly understand what you’re trying to say:

• What do I do?
• Who do I work with?
• Where do I work?
• Why do I do this work?
• How do I do this work?
• How do people benefit from this work?

If there are places where they’re still confused, go back in and do another round of edits. If they’re completely befuddled, you may need to go back to step 1 or 4.

If doing this process on your own feels overwhelming, email me to chat about how we can work together to communicate your Big Vision.

Photo by me.