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An Easy Fix: Getting Rid of Clichés Will Make Your Organization's Communication More Effective
Guest articles > An Easy Fix: Getting Rid of Clichés Will Make Your Organization's Communication More Effective
by: Robert Deigh
According to The Economist magazine, the English language has, at long last, exceeded a million words. The magazine goes on to admit that, um, maybe it's really not possible to know the exact number (e.g., is tsunami now an English word?). But let's just go with the premise. A million, give or take, is a lot of words; maybe there are a few extra words we no longer need, especially in business communication. Let' start with clichés. This being a public relations newsletter, the point is that it's hard to get people to listen to your story if your communication is stale. Stop hoarding clichés that have crept into your communication. Substitute plain words that convey the same meaning. Your communication will be fresher and people will be more inclined to pay attention to what you have to say. Go through your Web pages, your marketing materials, presentations, press releases and proposals and change everything into plain English. It's easy (and a guilt-free way to procrastinate doing actual hard work for an hour or so). Where to start? Here is a small sample of business clichés to banish (and more reader-friendly replacements). Attending a presentation or all-staff meeting? Bring the list with you and check off each one you hear:
Robert Deigh is principal of RDC Communication/PR and the author of "How Come No One Knows About Us?" (WBusiness Books, available May 2008), the PR guide for organizations large and small that want to win big visibility. Deigh helps organizations increase their visibility and build their brands by creating strong and positive relationships with the press and other audiences. He is also a well-known speaker and trainer on media and PR topics. Want more free info to build your business? Subscribe to Deigh’s popular monthly 1-page online newsletter “PR Quick Tips” from his website at www.rdccommunication.com. He can be reached via email at rdeigh1@aol.com, or by phone at 703-503-9321. Contributor: Robert Deigh Published here on: 19-Jul-11 Classification: Sales, PR Website: www.rdccommunication.com
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