Amanda, my experience is too small to be worth much, but there are always buts. I learned a lot from a communication professor I worked with. For example, she said people have to hear something new three times, before they are able to discuss it.

The first time people hear something new, they need time to digest it. The second time, their minds are more comfortable with the information, and a reminder causes them to start paying attention to the subject. The third time you mention a new subject, people are ready to discuss it.

Another example, is word of mouth communication. You keep repeating the same thing to as many people as you can. Once someone tells you what you've been saying all along, you know you've succeeded in getting the idea out there.

A simple and concise message is the key to success. For example, I started refusing to discuss current events with anyone who got their news, or information, from FoxNews. The first time I told someone that, they got pissed and accused me of being divisive, hateful etc. To which I replied, your accusation is the reason I refuse to discuss current events with people who get all their news and information from FoxNews. The second time I told someone that, they defended FoxNews and I repeated myself again. The third time around, people actually cited a new source of news and we enjoyed some nice talks about current events.