Category: language

language, language usage, right grammar, writing advice, writing better

5 More Ways to Find the Right Word

1. Word association – To find the right word, think of a term that sounds like the one you’re looking for. Ask yourself which one pops into your mind first. Words to Use takes this further, providing sentence prompts based on parts of speech to help you find the right word.

Word association has been used in psychology and in marketing; Carl Jung’s word association tests explored how the unconscious mind influences human behavior. Marketing researchers have analyzed terms with positive connections, such as power words and sensory words. Use them to find the right word and vary your choices.

2. Play it by ear – Say the word or phrase linked to the term aloud. See if your mind will fill in the gap with the ideal one. If it still won’t come out, ask yourself what the word looks or sounds like. Is it a noun, a verb, or an adjective? Or a person, a place, or a thing? How many syllables or accents does it have? A rhyming dictionary can guide you to similar words.

3. Get specific – Describe the word you’re looking for. The right image might come to mind. Concrete terms also let readers see what you describe.

  • Example: A bowl of fruit
  • Revised: A basket of bananas

If you’re learning English, a picture dictionary can be helpful as it shows images with the words they represent.

4. Try thesaurus tools – Among my favorite alternatives to a thesaurus is Related Words. Beyond word searches, the One Look Thesaurus lets you enter phrases related to the term.

5. Ask – In a roundabout way, this worked for George Harrison. Talk to someone good with English or seek advice in online forums. We’re here to help each other.

For more insights, read 5 Ways to Find the Right Words.

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How do you find the “write” words? Feel free to comment below.

Quotes

“I do not choose the right word. I get rid of the wrong one. Period.” ~ A.E. Housman

“The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter. It’s the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightening.” ~ Mark Twain

Comments? Suggestions? Need help with your communications? Contact me.

branding, language, language usage, language use, messages, writing advice

5 Steps to Consistent Brand Messaging, Language, and Style

1. Check your mission statement – Ask yourself some questions to explore your brand messaging, language, and style: Why are you in business? What are your core values? What’s your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)? If you have one, borrow keywords from your mission statement. Otherwise, follow the next step and create one through finding your “why” to keep your brand messaging, language, and style consistent.

2. Make it personal – Who do you want to reach? Think of the people you want to appeal to when you write your content, their problems, or what might keep them awake. In the process, you could have a story to tell. Add keywords and descriptions from it to your tagline, your website or blog copy, social media, press releases, and other marketing materials.

3. Find your voice – What kind of tone or mood do you want to convey in your marketing? What voice will you use to speak to your ideal customers? What kind of personality do you want to project? And does it align with your mission statement and values? Thinking about these aspects can help you arrive at more specific wording that can increase your brand recognition and form your overall messaging.

Example: In a brief video, Michael Monteforte, Jr. of Monteforte Law P.C. tells potential clients what motivated him to pursue estate planning, how he works with clients, and helps them. Also on their “About Us” page, the firm effectively explains what separates it from others; many firms don’t differentiate themselves from their competitors well. Michael comes across as a plain-spoken, clear communicator who cares about finding the right solutions for his clients.

4. Create a company style guide – It can help you clarify your wording, punctuation, email formatting, and other content, which can guide you or any employees. It may also set your design standards, from the logos and fonts to the colors you use. Update it regularly.

5. Enforce company communication policies – Once your style guide is in place, include it as part of an overall communications policy to ensure all your messaging stays on brand. Don’t stray from your talking points, which form the image you want to project. Do regular content or messaging audits. Your communications policy may also outline strategies for responding to a crisis.

Need help with your messaging to build your image and boost your success? Consider a free business writing coaching consultation.

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How do *you* keep your brand messaging consistent? Feel free to comment below.

Quotes

“Define what your brand stands for, its core values and tone of voice, and then communicate consistently in those terms.” ~ Simon Mainwaring

“If you don’t give the market the story to talk about, they’ll define your brand’s story for you.” ~ David Brier

Published Feb. 7, 2023