Ways You Should Never Describe Yourself
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
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Hi There, Friends of Freedom:
As is my custom, I was sitting with my morning beverage today
going through my morning routine
Exercise – Envision – Read – Meditate – Pray – Empower
thinking about what messages I have received that would benefit
the communities of action that I am a part of
when…
The following post
10 Ways You Should Never Describe Yourself
When other people use these words to describe your talents, it’s OK. When you do it, you just sound like a pompous jerk.
found me. Hmmm… I had to learn more. Is my marketing message being mis-interpeted?
Jeff Haden of inc.com wrote
Picture this: You meet someone new. “What do you do?” he asks.
“I’m an architect,” you say.
“Oh, really?” he answers. “Have you designed any buildings I’ve seen?”
“Maybe,” you reply. “We did the new library at the university…”
“Oh wow,” he says. “I’ve seen it. That’s a beautiful building…”
And you’re off. Maybe he’s a potential client, maybe not… but either way you’ve made a great impression.
You sound awesome.
Now picture this: You meet someone new. “What do you do?” he asks.
“I’m a passionate, innovative, dynamic provider of architectural services who uses a collaborative approach to create and deliver outstanding customer experiences.”
And he’s off, never to be seen again… because
you sound like a pompous ass.
Do you–whether on your website, or more likely on social media accounts–describe yourself differently than you do in person?
Do you use hacky clichés and overblown superlatives and breathless adjectives?
Do you write things about yourself you would never have the nerve to actually say?
If so, it’s time for a change.
Here are some words that are great when used by other people to describe you, but you should never use to describe yourself:
“Motivated.”
Check out Chris Rock’s response (not safe for work or the politically correct) to people who say they take care of their kids. Then substitute the word “motivated.” Never take credit for things you are supposed to do–or be.
“Authority.”
If you have to say you’re an authority, you aren’t. Show your expertise instead. “Presenter at SXSW” or “Delivered TED Talk at Long Beach 2010″ indicates a level of authority. Unless you can prove it, “social media marketing authority” just means you spend a ton of time on Twitter.
“Global provider.”
The vast majority of businesses can sell goods or services worldwide; the ones that can’t–like restaurants–are obvious. (See?) Only use “global provider” if that capability is not assumed or obvious; otherwise you just sound like a really small company trying to appear really big.
“Innovative.”
Most companies claim to be innovative. Most people claim to be innovative. Most are not. (I’m not.) That’s okay, because innovation isn’t a requirement for success.
If you are innovative, don’t say it. Prove it. Describe the products you’ve developed. Describe the processes you’ve modified. Give us something real so your innovation is unspoken but evident… which is always the best kind of evident to be.
“Creative.”
See particular words often enough and they no longer make an impact. “Creative” is one of them. (Go to LinkedIn and check out some profiles; “creative” will appear in the majority.)
“Creative” is just one example. Others include extensive, effective, proven, dynamic, influential, team player, collaborative… some of those terms truly may describe you, but since they’re also being used to describe everyone else they’ve lost their impact.
“Unique.”
Fingerprints are unique. Snowflakes are unique. You are unique–but your business probably isn’t. Don’t pretend to be, because customers don’t care about unique; they care about “better.” Show how you’re better than the competition and in the minds of customers you will be unique.
So there you have six for your immediate consideration. To learn more, to read the article in full:
10 Ways You Should Never Describe Yourself
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Peter www.prpocklington.com www.freedomnationunited.com
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