Stop Using This Language In Your Emails - Path & Compass
Path & Compass is a boutique marketing and strategy firm with an intentional & holistic approach. We serve small businesses, specializing in wedding, event & hospitality businesses, wellness professionals, creative entrepreneurs and artists. Services including website design, branding & logo design, content marketing, SEO services, business coaching, sales training, graphic design, budgeting, goal setting and thoughtful growth.
Krista Chapman, Path & Compass, Path and Compass, marketing agency, boutique marketing agency, women-owned business, women-owned marketing agency, marketing agencies, marketing consultant, marketing strategy, professional marketing, Nashville marketing agencies, Nashville marketing agency, Nashville Marketing Consultant, Nashville Business coach, Nashville small business coach holistic marketing, intentional marketing, purposeful marketing, intentional business, intentional small business, building an intentional business, small business marketing, marketing for wedding vendors, marketing for wedding professionals, marketing for event professionals, outsourcing marketing, outsourcing my marketing, help with my marketing, help marketing my business, help with social media for my business, business coach, coach for women, small business coach, marketing coach, sales coach, coaching for wedding professionals, coaching for small business owners, business coaching, strategy sessions, wedding business coach, event business coach, small business strategy, strategic business planning, strategic small business planning, sales training Nashville website designer, Nashville website design agency, Website design agency, Website design services, Website design company, website development company, web development services, Website design and development, website designer, website development, small business website design, website construction, website designers, website designers for creatives, website designer for wedding business, website designer for women owner business, website designer for small business, website designer for event companies, ecommerce website designer, ecommerce website design, best website design, professional website design, web developers, custom website design, new website design, business website design, good website design, site design, small business website design, web design packages, best web design companies, Branding design agency, digital branding agency, Nashville branding agency, branding agency, branding design services, branding designer, logo designer, logo designers, logo design agency, logo design company, small business logo design, business logo design, modern logo design, custom logo design, business logo designer, modern logo designer, custom logo designer, logo design services, interior design logo, wedding business logo design, graphic designer logo, band logo designer, graphic designer for logo, professional logo designer Content marketing, content marketing agency, social media management, Social media manager, social media marketing, social media marketing agency, blog management, content creator, copywriter, blog writer, blog help, blog management, email marketing, email marketing agency, email marketing help, social media marketing help, content marketing for my business, content marketing for women-owned businesses, content marketing for wedding business, social media professional, seo, seo optimization, local seo, seo specialist, seo agency,
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Stop Using This Language In Your Emails

Words matter. More often than not, the words we use in regular email communication define whether people trust us, whether people will buy from us and whether we feel confident in our ability to serve them. For women in particular, working to overcome long-held beliefs and stereotypes about gender, will fall into language patterns. It’s time to cut out all the words and phrases that don’t support us and to stop using this language in your emails. Here are our tips for crafting more effective and efficient emails.

Stop with unnecessary apologies

Did you do something wrong? If the answer is no, you should not be apologizing. While your aim may be to be thoughtful and considerate, communications littered with apologies create uneven power dynamics and diminishes “I’m sorry” when it is truly warranted.

Remove: “Sorry to follow up but I was checking on your invoice”.
Instead:  “I am emailing to check on your open invoice.”

Remove: “Sorry to bother you…”
Instead: If you are concerned about bothering someone, it’s better to not email. If you are not, then stop using this language in your emails.

Remove: “So sorry for the delay…”
Instead: “Thanks for your patience”

 

Stop using the word ‘but’

When you insert ‘but’ into a sentence, it dismisses everything you said right before that. (“I like that dress on you but it doesn’t fit right”). Use “and” or create 2 sentences instead. Remember, contrasting ideas can both be true at the same time.

Remove: “I love the idea but I don’t think it fits your vision.”
Instead: “This is a creative idea. I have some concerns about how this will fit with your vision without the end result feeling cluttered. What about it most appeals to you? Perhaps we can find a middle ground that will keep your vision intact and include the feeling this gives you.”

Remove: “I wish I could help but my calendar fully booked right now.”
Instead: “Right now, my calendar is fully booked. Would it work to start this next month?

Stop using passive or dismissive language

These are an attempt to soften seemingly direct language so people like you. Instead, they make you seem uncertain or meek when you’re aiming to instill confidence. If you don’t believe in your role as a trusted advisor, they won’t!

Remove: Shrinkers “just” “maybe” “almost” “I think”

“Just checking on your payment…”
“Maybe the best plan would be to…”
“I think so and so would be the best fit as your florist”

Instead: Replace with “I recommend” or “I suggest” or stop using this language in your emails.

Stop using language that creates doubt

These are the phrases and questions where you ask the person if they understand you. Rather than wondering if your message is clear, adjust the language so it is while leaving the door open for them to offer feedback or questions.

Remove: “Does that make sense?” “Am I making sense?” or “Do you know what I mean?”
Include: “How does that sound?” “I look forward to hearing your thoughts,” or “Let me know what questions you have about this.”

Stop closing the conversation

This is super important in sales emails. Be sure to give people a clear next step with a call to action and assume their interest. “If” is a key word to avoid here as it allows for ambiguity and avoidance.

Remove: “If you are interested” OR “Let me know if you have questions”
Instead: “When you are ready, your next step is…” “Let me know what questions you have and then…”

Stop making it about you

Remember, business and sales is about serving another person – solving their problem. Even when they ask “What do you think?” Or “What would you do?”, bring the conversation back to them and their vision. Your job as a trusted resource is to empower their vision and ideas (while still be realistic) vs. taking over and telling them what they should do. People are the best experts on their lives and ethical salespeople encourage them to see this.

Remove: “I would definitely be sure to include…”
Instead: “Based on what you have told me about your goals/vision, I would recommend/suggest…”

 

 

Need help with honing your communication – say for closing sales? We got you. Apply for a free business evaluation with Krista to learn where you can hone your tactics and be more effective with your efforts.