A lesson in concert promotion

For several weeks my kids have been practicing songs that their school choirs are going to perform tonight at the spring concert. My daughter has given us partial concerts all over the house, but my son insists that we are to be surprised by his song and hasn’t allowed us to hear him, not even once.

Two days ago, he came home from school and told us that his music teacher said, “Tell your mothers that they should bring tissue to the concert, because when they hear your song they’re going to cry!” He could barely contain his excitement. It was priceless.

I thought about all the other things this teacher could have said:

“Your parents are really going to love your song.”
“Your parents will be really surprised when they hear you.”
“We’re ready to put on a great show.”
“Remember to be at the school 45 minutes before the show and wear a white shirt!” (Don’t teachers say this before every show?)

But instead of any of these, she said to bring tissues. She said your mothers are going to cry. Brilliant.

It’s a perfect message because it’s:

1. Specific
2. Memorable (even for six-year-olds)
3. Creates an image in your mind
4. Contains emotion

What’s more, it inspired the kids to give their best performance tonight – you know they want to see if they can make their mothers cry with their song – and as a parent, I can’t wait to hear a song that might make us do more than clap and cheer.

All of us deliver messages every day. Do you tell people they’re going to like the song or do you tell them to bring tissues?