Words are powerful. The right words can paint a picture, evoke an emotion, or even change someone’s mind about something. Using the “wrong” words can turn off your audience or even make them question your credibility. As content creators, it’s our job to use the right words to speak to our audience to achieve our desired results. In other words, we need to be aware of the power of words! Let’s take a look at five words content creators “should” avoid if they want to keep their audience engaged.
Content Creators “Should” Avoid 5 Words:
1. “Just”
This word is often used as a filler, but it can actually do more harm than good. When you use the word “just,” you’re implying that what you have to say is not important or that you’re not an expert on the topic. For example, instead of saying “I just wanted to let you know that my new product is launching next week,” try something like “My new product is launching next week and I wanted to make sure you were in the loop.” See the difference?
2. “Actually”
This is another word that is often used as a filler, but it can make you sound unsure of yourself. If you find yourself using the word “actually” frequently, take a step back and re-read what you’ve written. Chances are, there’s a better way to phrase it. For example, instead of saying “I actually think that social media is important for businesses,” try something like “I believe that social media is important for businesses.”
3. “I think”
If you’re not sure about something, then don’t say it. When you use phrases like “I think” or “in my opinion,” it makes your statement sound weaker than it actually is. So if you’re not 100% confident in what you’re saying, leave these words out and let your readers decide for themselves.
4. “Very”
This is another filler word. It doesn’t give any information (it’s not descriptive) and it doesn’t add anything to your writing. I recently came across this quote:
Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very’; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. — Mark Twain (I saw it credited to him as well as William Allen White)
I love that suggestion! Now I want to write very just for the sake of getting to replace it with the word damn ?
5. “To be honest”
Have you ever noticed how people only use the phrase “to be honest” when they’re about to say something negative? For example, instead of saying “to be honest, I’m not sure if I’m qualified for this speaking opportunity,” try switching that a positive phrase like “I’m confident I have the experience needed for this speaking opportunity.” This small change can make a big impact on how people perceive you and your business.
Choosing your words carefully is an important part of being a content creator. To recap, the 5 words to avoid if you want to keep your audience engaged are:
- Just
- Actually
- I think
- Very
- To be honest
Remember to choose your words wisely and avoid these 5 words if you want to write effective content.