Attention Span & Your Audience – Safety Speakers Newsletter by John Drebinger
I have been doing a lot of work on YouTube setting up the videos you can use for training. As a student of communication, I noticed an interesting phenomenon – the ads on YouTube videos. There are advertisements on some YouTube channels before videos play. What makes it unique is a button saying, “In three seconds, you can skip this ad.” My first thought is why would anyone not click that button to end the ad after the three seconds. The answer is very important to those of us with a safety message.
What those advertisers have learned is you need to make something worthy of people’s attention. It has disturbed me for years that people say they hate going to safety meetings because they are “boring.” Safety is not inherently boring; it is a message that saves lives and keeps people from missing out on the best in life.
Ask yourself, “Is my safety message worthy of the attention of my audience? If they could hit a button and end the meeting after 3 seconds would they?”
Solutions
First, make sure your meetings are interesting from the beginning. Too often people begin a safety meeting with announcements, etc. Instead, get right into the reason you are holding the meeting.
Second, give them a reason “why” they should be interested. One of the best ways to do this is to answer in the mind of the audience the question, “Why is this important to me?” If they see its relevance to their life and their job they are much more likely to stay engaged.
Third, make it your goal at the end of each meeting your audience is looking forward to the next time you get to share safety with them.
Is any of this easy? Yes and no. Use resources to make your meetings more fun. As I mentioned in the beginning of this newsletter, I have searched out some funny videos on YouTube and also have created some short safety meeting talks you are welcome to use before or during a meeting to make it more memorable.
Personal Favor To Ask
In order to provide useful safety communication tips, I am utilizing several new technologies to reach a broader audience. The favor I am asking for is to have as many of my readers go to Facebook and “Like” my page, John Drebinger. Click Here to Go to My Facebook Page 
On my Facebook business page I only post relevant safety comments or ideas.
Also, for those of you with smartphones, please download my App.
In both cases, it helps me to have as many people using both items as it increases the number of people my posts reach. Thank you in advance for helping out. I look forward to the reports I get from both sources showing new users.
Have Your Employees Ever Heard John Drebinger In Person?
Over ninety-five percent of all speaking engagements I do are a result of someone in my audience enthusiastically being committed to making sure their fellow employees hear the same outstanding message I shared with them. Most recipients of this newsletter have seen me speak at a safety conference of at one of their company events? Have you ever considered bringing John to your location in person to share his culture changing presentation, “Would You Watch Out For My Safety?™” It’s up to you. Give Diane Weiss a call at 209-745-9419 to let her help you encourage your leadership to bring John to your site.
New E-Book Is Available
“Communication Skills for Safety Leaders and Safety Teams” is now available on our website for the discounted price of $14.95. Just CLICK HERE to purchase and download your own copy.
John Available for International Speaking Engagements
Many of you work for companies that have divisions around the world. Remember, you can have John do the same quality presentation he has done for your employees in the United States at any of your international locations. Sandie Gilbert is John’s staff person who specializes in these types of presentations. She can be reached at sandie@drebinger.com .
In Non-English speaking countries, John is able to work well with translators to ensure your audience gets the most from his message. Call Sandie today at 209-747-2770 for details.
