Guide to Strategic Message Framing and Reframing

Consumers are constantly bombarded with information from every direction. Therefore, crafting a message that resonates with your audience is what matters most. This is where the art of message framing and reframing comes into play.

The Power of Framing

What is Message Framing?

Message framing refers to the way your message is presented and structured to influence how it is interpreted by your audience. Essentially, it's the packaging that your message comes in. It plays a pivotal role in shaping opinions and guiding decision-making processes. The manner in which you frame your message can significantly affect how your audience perceives it.

Let's consider a real-life example of the effectiveness of message framing. Glocalities, in collaboration with Always, employed the principles of message framing to provide invaluable insights for Always' "Like a Girl" campaign. The objective? To address the issue of period stigma.

How to Resonate with Your Target Audience

Reframing begins with a deep understanding of your target audience. Knowing who they are, what they value, and what appeals to them is essential.

In the case of Always, Glocalities first identified the target audience for the campaign to maximize its impact. Data analysis from Glocalities unveiled that the audience they sought to influence was 'Unconvinced Mothers.' These individuals prioritize health, lean towards traditional values, and may be hesitant to embrace significant societal changes. Understanding this demographic was crucial to shifting behaviours and combating period stigma effectively.

Influence on Opinions and Decision-Making

Message framing isn't just about superficial presentation; it delves deep into the psychology of human thinking by understanding how they think and feel. It can sway opinions, shape beliefs, and even impact decision-making. For example, consider these classic framing examples:

20% Fat vs. 80% Lean: The same concept, framed differently. While both represent the same thing, the latter, emphasizes leanness. This message framing often resonates more with health-conscious individuals.

1% Risk vs. 99% Risk-Free: Again, the same information, is presented differently. The second version highlights safety and assurance, which is more appealing to those who are risk-averse.

In the case of Always, understanding how Unconvinced Mothers felt about big societal changes was key. A progressively framed campaign that would require radical change could be counterproductive. Instead, focusing on knowledge being traditionally passed on from generation to generation as well as the health benefits helped build their period stigma campaign.

Harnessing Emotions and Cognitive Biases

Framing isn't just about words; it's about evoking emotions and tapping into cognitive biases. You can either frame something positively or negatively to trigger emotional responses. For instance, emphasizing a message that is in line with your target audience’s belief systems, whether that be traditional or progressive, or the benefits and rewards of your product can be key to eliciting a more favourable response from your audience.

What is Message Reframing?

Message reframing, on the other hand, involves rewriting your message in a different manner to achieve a specific objective. It's like reshaping your message to fit a new frame, one that better resonates with your target audience.

Tailoring Your Message for Maximum Impact

Reframing isn't about changing the facts or deceiving your audience. It's about presenting the same information in a way that makes it more relatable and relevant to your audience. By understanding their perspective, you can shape your message to meet their needs and expectations.

In conclusion, the power of strategic message framing and reframing should not be underestimated. It is a valuable tool for effective communication that can influence opinions, drive decisions, and engage your audience on a deeper level. By mastering the art of framing and reframing, you can deliver your message with impact and connect with your audience in a way that truly matters.

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