toth shop’s Post

There’s one thing all successful messaging has in common: Clarity. What's clarity? A freedom from ambiguity, confusion, big-words-people-have-to-Google, unnecessary words, or fluff. One strategy to get to clarity faster is the use of plain language. We tapped plain language expert Dr. Deborah S. Bosley, founder of The Plain Language Group, for a quick conversation about what plain language is, why it matters, and how brands can make their content clear and easy to access. toth shop (ts): how do you describe plain language? Deborah Bosley (DB): “Plain language actually started during World War II. When the Army drafted people, they didn’t realize at first that some of these soldiers had only gone through the 8th grade and couldn’t understand the content. The whole concept of simplifying started there. Today, I describe plain language as the use of written and design strategies that make it easy for people to find the information they're looking for, understand it, and know how to use it. It’s not just written content. So, when you think about a website, is it designed in a way that I can find what I’m looking for without 47 clicks? One of the principles of plain language is you have to maintain meaning so it's not simplifying it out of meaning.” ts: why does plain language matter? DB: “On a greater societal level, I believe that people have the right to understand information that affects their lives, and plain language grants them that access. I also work with a lot of corporations who need to use plain language because it's required by regulations, or they've gotten feedback that customers cannot understand the content. When that happens, companies can literally waste millions of dollars in call-ins that were unnecessary had they simply written something that was easy to understand to begin with.” ts: As a practitioner of plain language, what advice would you give to a brand or business owner who wants to use these strategies to make their content more accessible? DB: "I think it’s really important that training occurs. You're asking people to change writing habits that they might’ve had for decades. You cannot do that by simply handing them a handbook or saying ‘go let AI do it.’ It’s like taking a jazz pianist and telling them to play classical music. Yes, it’s all music, but you have to take the time and effort to make those shifts." To learn more about The Plain Language Group, please visit their website linked in comments below.

3 myths about plain language: 1. "Plain language means dumbing down information." It's not about making the information simpler, it's about making the process of understanding simpler. 2. "I don’t need to write in plain language for expert audiences." Experts prefer plain language. It saves them time and mental energy when reading. 3. "Plain language sounds boring." It’s the opposite. Big, confusing paragraphs send people to sleep. Concise content creates rhythm and tempo. #ContentDesign https://lnkd.in/gtPKtbS6

Plain Language & Accessibility How writing in plain language makes digital content more accessible. https://lnkd.in/gef_5jxX #Accessibility #PlainLanguage

Here's a professional post about Textergram: --- **Revolutionize Your Communication with Textergram** In today's fast-paced world, effective communication is more important than ever. Introducing Textergram, the AI-powered text messaging app designed to streamline your communication and enhance your messaging experience. ### Key Features of Textergram **1. Advanced AI-Powered Proofreading**   Textergram’s AI corrects typos, grammar mistakes, and punctuation errors, ensuring your messages are always polished and professional. **2. Multilingual Support**   Send messages in over 40 languages, breaking down language barriers and allowing you to communicate with a global audience. **3. Private Messaging**   Text privately within groups, ensuring that your conversations remain confidential and secure. **4. Customizable Templates**   Create and reuse text templates for common messages, saving you time and ensuring consistency in your communication. **5. Smart Rephrasing**   Avoid spam filters with Textergram’s smart rephrasing feature, which modifies your text to increase deliverability. **6. 15-Second Text Intervals**   Messages are sent in 15-second intervals to avoid triggering spam filters, ensuring timely delivery. **7. Global Accessibility**   Use Textergram anywhere in the world, making it the perfect tool for international communication. ### Why Choose Textergram? Textergram is more than just a messaging app; it’s a comprehensive communication tool that helps you stay connected, organized, and professional. Whether you’re managing a team, reaching out to clients, or simply staying in touch with friends and family, Textergram provides the features you need to communicate effectively. **Experience the Future of Messaging with Textergram** Join the revolution in communication and elevate your messaging experience with Textergram. Try it today and see how it can transform your communication! --- Does this capture what you had in mind? Let me know if you'd like any adjustments or additional details! https://lnkd.in/ebaBvPfK

Plain Language: The Key to Clear, Compelling, Conversion-Driven Content. DYK: Using plain language can significantly boost your communication effectiveness. Clear, concise writing enhances understanding and fosters stronger connections with your audience! However you ingest your #Content, be it print, video or graphical user interface (GUI), the impact of conveying and engaging your readers with clear and concise messaging is always in style. This fact has never been more pertinent than in 2024. Everything old is new again. But let's go back to 2022 and Google's Helpful Content Update. In short, it is an algorithm designed to combat content written to rank high in search engines versus content that helps or informs people. While not a revolutionary idea, the #PlainLanguage concept is worth revisiting, especially in a post-helpful content world where implementing E-E-A-T and people-first content benefits #WebWriters and clients who embrace it. Let me explain. The connection between plain language and high-quality #WebContent has never been more apparent. I first encountered this focus on clarity in Mrs. Watson's grade six class. The idea of saying more with less took root. I like to think she'd be proud of me, but I'll be leaving the date blank at the risk of aging myself. Fast-forward to 2024, and a friendly interaction with a friend on LinkedIn led me to the Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), the leading international membership organization for plain language. Thank you, Carolyn Watt! The organization's goals and aims resonated, compelling me to join. Their messaging reinforced everything I believe in when it comes to #ContentCreation. In addition, they aligned perfectly with Google's Helpful Content mandate. Read https://lnkd.in/gMA25TDc and discover the benefits of adopting plain language in your #WebCopy. Doing so can take a site from page twenty-one to page one. Join the movement towards simple, assertive communication and make every word count! Yours in Plain Language. -Ray

Last week, I wrote my last words for The Writer, a brand language consultancy. Upon reflection, it was more than a professional chapter; it was a 12 month masterclass in the nuances of communication. Three key lessons stand out, each sharpening my ability to drive value for customers: 1️⃣ Tone of Voice: the silent powerhouse
Every brand has a voice, but not every brand uses it to full effect. Working with a consultancy who live and breathe linguistics gave me a new appreciation for how tone shapes perception. A consistent tone of voice builds trust, conveys authenticity, and resonates across audiences—factors critical to long-term loyalty in a crowded marketplace. 2️⃣ The discipline of brevity
In an age of information overload, the ability to express complexity in simple, concise terms is a rare and valuable skill. Marketing should aim to capture attention, deliver clarity, and provoke action—all in as few words as possible. This is not just a stylistic choice; it’s a strategic imperative. 3️⃣ Thinking globally, speaking locally
Global audiences demand universal truths expressed with local flavour. Understanding cultural and linguistic subtleties is not optional—it’s essential. A global brand succeeds by connecting with its audiences on their terms, not imposing its own. These lessons aren’t just theoretical—they’re actionable insights I am eager to share with other businesses. Whether you’re refining your brand’s voice, simplifying your message, or scaling globally, these principles support growth. If you’d like to discuss how these insights could enhance your current marketing strategy, let’s chat. With fresh availability, I’m ready to collaborate and help your brand communicate more effectively. #marketingconsultancy #businessgrowth #marketingstrategy

5 tips for crafting conversational copy. it's so important that your copy should be in conversational tone. because conversational copy boosts conversions. here are some tips to help you write your copy conversational. tip:1- Always write for one person. - don't write for a crowd! -replace "those of you" with "YOU". tip:2-Use simple language. - be helpful, and use simple words. - be generous, and keep it short. -don't assume that more words are better. (if in doubt, imagine yourself in a classroom talking to kids.) -use most familiar words in your copy. for instance, instead of "advantageous", use "helpful" instead of "facilitate", use "ease, or help" similarly, instead of "optimum", use "greatest, or most or best" 3- Ask questions. - instead of saying, " you're invited to the launch of Tom's Burger Hut on Saturday." try: "Free on Saturday? Love Burgers? Join us for the launch of Tom's Burger Hut." tip:4 use short sentences and paragraph. -break long sentences into parts. -no more than 13 words per sentence. -remove sentence bloaters, such as "very, really, almost, probably." -and yes, you can start your sentence with "and, because, but." tip:5 use contractions. - don't write, "you are"... write, "you're." and "you will" becomes "you'll" so, don't try to be clever with long and complex words. don't assume more words are better, this is a mistake a lot people make.

Rhetoric rocks Anthimeria is a rhetorical device where one part of speech is used as another, such as turning a noun into a verb or vice versa. This linguistic creativity adds flair, humour and innovation to communication. A common example is ‘I’ll Google it,’ where ‘Google’, originally a noun referring to a company, is repurposed as a verb meaning ‘to search the internet.’ This linguistic flexibility has made anthimeria a staple in modern communication, from casual speech to literature and branding. In everyday conversations, anthimeria appears almost effortlessly. In the digital age, phrases like 'Can you Photoshop this picture?' or 'I’ll FaceTime you later' have become second nature, showcasing how anthimeria adapts to technology and cultural shifts. Social media and pop culture are fertile grounds for anthimeria. Platforms like TikTok and Twitter are brimming with new examples, such as ‘DM me’ (using the abbreviation for Direct Message as a verb) or ‘He Snapchatted me.’ Similarly, in literature and poetry, anthimeria has been used for centuries to add depth and rhythm. Shakespeare, for example, famously wrote in King Lear: ‘The thunder would not peace at my bidding,’ using ‘peace’ as a verb to mean ‘to become quiet.’ In marketing and branding, anthimeria is a powerful tool. Advertisers often turn brand names into verbs to make their services feel indispensable. Phrases like ‘Uber it’ demonstrate how anthimeria helps embed products into daily life. The workplace also sees its fair share of anthimeria, with professionals creating verbs from nouns, such as ‘Let’s calendar that meeting’. The use of anthimeria has its advantages. It makes language dynamic and engaging, allowing speakers and writers to express ideas in fresh, memorable ways. It also adds clarity by conveying complex actions in fewer words. For example, ‘Can you Photoshop this?’ is more concise than saying: ‘Can you edit this photo using Photoshop?’ However, anthimeria has some drawbacks. Overuse or obscure uses can confuse listeners or readers unfamiliar with the context. For example, phrases like: ‘He Sherlocked his way to the answer’ (using Sherlock Holmes as a verb to mean solving something through deduction) might baffle those outside the reference circle. In formal settings, anthimeria can come across as too casual, undermining credibility. Language purists also criticise anthimeria, arguing that bending grammatical rules degrades the language. Despite its challenges, anthimeria thrives because it captures the inherent flexibility of language. It adds personality to speech, fosters creativity and mirrors cultural shifts. Whether in literature, social media, or casual conversations, it invites people to rethink how we use words. So, why not coin your own anthimeria? Perhaps you could ‘Dyson’ your home carpets or ‘ChatGPT’ your next big idea.

Something for all HR practitioners to consider given the focus of our roles.

This is my speciality! Translating complex information, legislation and jargon into readable, engaging content to suit a cross section of readers in your target audience.