How Words Connect With Your Audience
It is election fever time in Singapore for the next 10 days. Some other countries like the US, this is also an election year.
Today, as I watch new candidates introduce themselves, you can see how are words used to connect with their audience, in order to sound
electable.
What was said:
"My mother was a housewife, and my father was the sole breadwinner in our family."
The reality:
"My dad was so rich that my mum didn't need to work"
What was said:
"My parents worked hard to make ends meet for me and my siblings."
The reality:
"My parents were both working professionals."
What was said:
"Growing up, I lived in a house shared with 15 other people."
The reality:
"My grandfather passed down his mansion to my father and two uncles after his death, and each of our families took one floor each. Our helpers stayed in the basement."
What was said:
"I was raised by my grandparents as both my parents had to work long hours to support the family."
The reality:
"My parents drop me off in their BMW at my grandparents' house on their way to work, and picked me up only late at night after socializing in the country club."
I don't know about you but I have become more observant since blogging and notice how words are used more.
Some may question the ethics and ask, "aren't we lying?"
There are always absolute "right and wrong" scenarios, however when communicating, it is simply different ways of communication and use of words to tell a story.
Of course, the above examples come with a little humour but political parties hire PR consultants to write speeches and use the "right words."
We can learn to also use the "right words" when writing to connect with our audience.
Besides keywords for SEO purposes, are you using the right words to connect and engage with your audience?
Recent Comments
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Interesting points, Stanley.
I'd add to this something I heard an American commentator say: that since most people are visual, those communicators (politicians or online marketers or otherwise) who create "word pictures" as opposed to simply passing along data and information are more effective communicators.
This might go against our instructions on the use of keywords, which are in many cases less visual. I'm not sure; I haven't tested it.
But your takeaway is important: are we using words (keywords or otherwise) to *connect* with readers.
Thanks for the post.
An interesting post Stanley. I can only imagine that the press is different in Singapore. If political candidates tried to manifest a "past" that was significantly different from the reality here in the UK, they would soon be found out and hung drawn and quartered.
Sent with love from my castle.
Graham.
Super post Stanley! Really enjoyed reading it. So true - i targeted words are important in different situations.
Great post Stanley, Thanks! Hope can come to Singapore again soon, missing the Laksa.., 👍👍
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I've always heard that "Honest Politician" is an oxymoron. Maybe it's different where you are but it's pretty crazy here in the US right now. Interesting interpretations though and you're right about the candidates having writers that know exactly how to put the words to make it most beneficial to the candidate. Sad really when you think about it.
~Debbi
I guess it has become the norm in that industry. Question is, is it hard to be honest? Or it doesn’t pay to be honest?
Dishonesty in that profession seems to get you more money/power.