Ever feel like you’re talking to a wall? Like, no matter how clear, logical, or data-driven your message is, it just doesn’t land?

We’ve all been there. I used to believe that if I simply laid out the facts, charts, graphs, and airtight logic, people would see the truth and agree. Problem solved.

But that’s not how real people operate.

Most aren’t immersed in our world of policy, politics, or advocacy. They’re busy living their lives—juggling work, raising kids, paying bills. Data doesn’t move them. Facts alone don’t inspire action. And a spreadsheet never sparked a movement.

What does? Emotion. Stories. A sense that you understand their reality.

People don’t want to be lectured. They want to be heard. They respond to what feels personal, not what sounds official. You may have the truth on your side, but unless you connect emotionally, you’ll never cut through the noise.

Below are strategies and examples that demonstrate how to make your message resonate. Not just land in someone’s inbox, but stick in their gut. Because if you want to persuade, you have to do more than inform. You have to move people.

She Didn’t Ask for Mbps. She Just Wanted to See Her Grandkids

I once had a conversation with my aunt – a funny, kind-hearted, and sharp individual. All she wanted was to video call her grandkids without frozen screens or choppy audio.

She didn’t care about “download speeds.” She didn’t even know what that meant. What she did care about was seeing her granddaughter over FaceTime without losing the connection halfway through.

That moment stuck with me. Because while we keep selling faster speeds and better bandwidth, what she needed was the benefit: connection, presence, love.

No spreadsheet can capture that.

Visuals That Speak Louder Than Data

And it’s not just words. Use images that serve the same purpose. Forget slides of “1 Gbps speeds.” Open with a photo of grandma finally video-chatting her grandchildren with no freezes, no frustration. That single image tells a richer story than any latency chart. Let visuals carry the emotional weight while your numbers quietly back them up.

The Power of Others

Additionally, don’t do it alone. Coalitions amplify your message and lend authenticity. Find partners who live, breathe, and talk the same language as your target audience. They include community groups, local business owners, and neighborhood associations. When they echo your core points, it stops sounding like a sales pitch and starts feeling like a shared concern.

Make the Benefit Personal, In Their Words

Facts and figures may impress, but personal stories are what stick. Don’t just say fewer oil tankers mean reduced emissions, say it means cleaner air while parents watch their kids at the playground.

And when you describe that benefit, use the words they’d use. Don’t talk about “operational efficiencies,” say “less hassle.” Swap “regulatory compliance” for “peace of mind.” Speak in their voice, not yours.

Walk in their shoes. Listen to how they talk about safety, time, and stress. Then use that language to make your message hit home.

You’re not just selling a product or policy. You’re offering a better tomorrow that saves time, reduces stress, and allows people to focus on what matters. Layer your solid data beneath a human story. Let coalition partners carry the torch. And always, always start by asking: “How does this feel to the person on the other side of the table?”

Start your next campaign with a five-minute interview of an actual user. If the budget allows, consider adding a quick focus group. Listen for their exact words and tell your story in their voice. Because in the end, it’s not about 1 Gbps, it’s about Grandma seeing her grandkids smile in real time.