From time to time we all slip into corporate vernacular, littering our conversation or writing with jargon which might mean very little to the person we’re trying to communicate with.
Acknowledging that we’ve all lived through at least one conversation where we have very little understanding of the jargon which is being thrown around, just why do we do it?
People generally use jargon for one of three reasons:
1. They want to impress the person they are trying to communicate with.
2. They want to seem more important and add gravitas to what they are saying.
3. Sometimes the jargon is just the lazy man’s way of saying certain things
Whatever the reason though, the use of jargon or slang actually leads to audience disengagement. And it’s not hard to see why – if you don’t understand what the jargon or slang is saying, you’re hardly likely to relate to the key message or retain the information.
We have put together a short list of the primary reasons why it is important to keep your messaging free from jargon. Here it is:
1. You reduce your audiences ability to understand
If the language is too difficult to understand in passing it’s unlikely that the majority of your target audience are going to relate to what you are trying to say. If you limit your target audience in such a way, it’s unlikely that your key PR and communications objectives are going to be met. We’re not saying that all jargon is necessarily off limits – simply that there is a time and a place for technical expertise and slang of this nature.
2. Your audience is unlikely to retain your intended message
If you’ve ever sat in a lecture and realised that your lecturer or professor is assuming you know more than you actually do and using language that you don’t have the faintest idea about, you can appreciate that you probably didn’t retain much of what they said. It’s the same in the business world. If you litter your communications with corporate speak, you run the risk of having the same outcome – with no one retaining what you intended.
3. Your public image may be depicted incorrectly
The use of too much jargon or corporate speak can often be seen as elitist. If this isn’t the image you were hoping to depict, it’s a good idea to limit or reduce that type of communication.
4. The use of jargon can be irritating
Finally, the use of jargon can fundamentally be irritating to audiences. And it’s never a good idea to irritate the people you want to connect with. Remember, at the end of the day you want to communicate in a way that your target audience will relate to. If they relate to your messages, they’re more likely to retain the information and act upon it.
If you would like assistance in decluttering your writing and making sure your key messages are on point, get in touch with us on 08 7070 0985. We’re here to help.
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