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Kolbe Psychometrics: Why Writing to One Type Excludes 75% of Your Audience

Kolbe Psychometrics through a lens.

You’re missing 75% of your market.

Are you tired of feeling like your LinkedIn posts are falling flat? Join the club! I’ve been experimenting with all kinds of posts, from personal to professional, and let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster ride. I’ve learned that anything personal tends to get more views and likes, especially if you throw in an eye-catching selfie. And don’t get me wrong, those selfies are a blast to post! But they feel a bit cheap and dirty at the end of the day.

You’re not really providing value to your audience, just socializing.

That’s why I’ve decided to mix things up and share some informative posts too. Sure, they might not get as much attention, but they provide real value to others. So let’s compare a social post to an informative one. Check out these examples (both clickable):

Social Post

On the other end of the spectrum is the data-driven/fact-laden posts. They get very low reach but they have such important information in them.

Informative Post

See the difference? Both posts have their merits, but one is all about me, while the other is about providing value to my audience. So the next time you’re tempted to post a selfie, ask yourself: is this really providing value to my audience? If not, it might be time to mix things up and provide some informative posts too.

The experimenting made me consider psychometrics as a way to improve your online engagement. Most psychometric systems use four different types, and I’ve concluded that when you write for one type, you’re missing out on what’s preferable to the other three. That means you’re potentially excluding 75% of your audience when you post.

Think about it: if you’re only writing to one type, you’re leaving out a significant portion of your potential audience. You might get great engagement from your usual crowd, but what about everyone else? It’s like throwing a party and only inviting one type of person – sure, they’ll have a great time, but what about everyone else who might have had a blast too?

So I use my psychometrics of choice – Kolbe A. Which, by the way, isn’t a personality assessment.

What are Kolbe Psychometrics?

The Kolbe Psychometric assessment is a powerful tool for understanding individual strengths and problem-solving styles. As mentioned, it measures four different Action Modes: Fact Finder, Follow Thru, Quick Start, and Implementor.

Each Action Mode has its unique strengths and preferences, which can significantly affect how you write for your audience.

Writing to the Fact Finder Action Mode:

Fact Finders have a strong need for accuracy and thoroughness. They value data, statistics, and facts. When writing for a Fact Finder audience, it’s important to provide plenty of information and details to satisfy their need for accuracy. Use a logical, systematic approach to presenting your ideas. Focus on the details, and provide plenty of evidence to support your arguments.

Writing to the Follow Thru Action Mode:

Follow Thrus have a structured, organized approach to problem-solving. They value planning and organization and prefer a clear outline and a step-by-step process. Use a structured, organised approach when writing for a Follow Thru audience. Use a clear outline and a step-by-step process to guide your reader through your ideas. Highlight the benefits of following your advice and show how it fits into their plan.

Writing to the Quick Start Action Mode:

Quick Starts are creative, innovative thinkers always seeking new ideas and opportunities. They value big wins and taking risks. When writing for a Quick Start audience, capture their attention with bold, provocative language. Use creative, innovative ideas that challenge the status quo. Emphasize the potential for big wins, and show how your ideas can lead to success.

Writing to the Implementor Action Mode:

Implementors are practical, hands-on problem-solvers who value the tangible and the real. They prefer concrete examples and visual aids to help them understand complex ideas. When writing for an Implementor audience, focus on the practical aspects of your advice. Highlight how it can be applied in the real world, and provide concrete examples and visual aids to help them see the benefits of your approach.

Conclusion:

It’s helpful to consider Kolbe psychometrics when crafting your online content. By understanding the different types and writing to each one, you can create content that resonates with a broader audience.

You’ll be able to engage with people who might have overlooked your content before and potentially even attract new followers.

So the next time you’re crafting a post, ask yourself: am I writing for one type, or am I considering all four? By including all four types in your writing, you’ll be able to engage with a broader audience and create content that truly resonates.

Who knows, you might just be surprised by how many people appreciate your content when you write to their preferences!

How Kolbe Psychometrics helped identify and address a clash in the workplace.
Picture of Hutton Henry
Hutton Henry
Hutton has worked with Private Equity Portfolio firms and Private Equity funds since 2015. Having previously worked in post-merger integration for large firms such as Ford and HP, Hutton understands the value of finding issues prior to M&A deals. He is currently the founder of Beyond M&A and provides technology due diligence for VC, PE and corporate investors, so they understand their technology risks before entering into a deal.

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