Scroll through your feeds and you’ll notice it: most creators, brands, and leaders aren’t really conversing. They’re performing. They’re broadcasting. They’re talking at us, not to us.
But here’s the truth: the art of conversation is about dialogue, not monologue.
Broadcast vs. Dialogue
Old media—radio, TV, print—was mostly one-directional. You listened, watched, or read. But new media gives us something extraordinary: interactivity. The problem? Many of us are still stuck in old broadcast habits.
Conversation online requires something different. It requires slowing down, asking questions, and inviting participation.
Why Engagement Beats Reach
It doesn’t matter if you have 5,000 followers if no one comments, shares, or feels connected to your content. A loyal community of 500 engaged people is far more powerful.
Twitch streamers are a perfect example. Their success doesn’t come from fancy production value—it comes from real-time conversation. By reading comments, responding instantly, and creating an inclusive environment, they turn audiences into communities.
A Quote to Remember
“People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou.
Practical Tip
The simplest way to shift from performance to conversation? Ask. End your post, podcast, or video with a question:
- “What do you think about this?”
- “Has this been your experience too?”
- “How would you approach it differently?”
In new media, the future doesn’t belong to those who can talk the loudest. It belongs to those who can converse. Start talking to your audience, not at them.
See YOU at Comic Con Africa https://comicconafrica.co.za/guest/chris-jordan/
SPEAKER/S INFORMATION:
Name: Chris Jordan
Title: New Media Corporate Consultant / On Air Presenter / Podcaster
Company: Chris Jordan Media / 919FM
SESSION/S INFORMATION:
Date: Sunday, 31 August 2025
Stage: POP-TAKU STAGE
Time: 12:00-12:30
Topic: The Art of Conversation in the Realm of New Media
AuthenticEngagement #DigitalCommunity #TalkingToNotAt #NewMediaConversations #AudienceConnection #ChrisJordanMedia
