Avoid Making These 10 Communication Bloopers

Sales and marketing are all about communication. The way you personally communicate reveals loads about your ability to handle the professional needs of others. Avoid making these bloopers:

• Never “fake it” when you don't remember someone's name. Admit you didn't remember the name and ask for it again.
• Avoid clichés like “fit as a fiddle” or “a piece of cake.” Either banish clichés from your vocabulary altogether or put a new twist on them, like “He burns the candle at neither end.”
• Try not to use buzz words that mean nothing to most people, like “paradigm” or “content-rich.”
• Never fire off an e-mail when you are angry. Take time to sort out your thoughts.
• Try not to be boring. For example, if you are writing a sales letter, starting off with a drab opener like “Enclosed you will find…” won't exactly motivate them to read further. Try an opening technique like asking a question, expressing agreement, referencing someone you both know, praising the reader or asking for the reader's help.
• Do we even need to say it? Always get the pronunciation and spelling of names and titles right.
• Be brief. Most people talk and write too long. Everyone may not find you as fascinating as you find yourself and your subject.
• Return e-mails and voice mails promptly. The standard is to wait no longer than one business day.
• Mind your e-mail etiquette. You'll be judged by the style, tone, content and accuracy of your e-mail as in all other communication. Make sure you send the e-mail only where it is intended, check you spelling and resist the temptation to be too informal or “cute.”
• Express thank-you's in hand-written notes rather than e-mails or phone calls.

Adapted from “39 Communication Bloopers and How to Avoid Them.” If you found these useful, please go to www.Briefings.com for more tips.