Thanks to Dave Lorenzo at Career Intensity for posting about the twelve most persuasive words in the English language (according to Yale University). They are:
It’s interesting to see so many of the words I’ve recommend people use in the workplace listed in one place. For instance, I’ve always liked starting e-mails with the word “you,” because people will be more likely to pay attention if they think what you’re saying pertains to them directly. “Easy” has the connotation of being able to get something without much effort. “Health,” “love,” and “money” are universal desires of all humankind, regardless of who you are or where you come from. And when it comes to proving that something works or is worth an investment, there’s nothing like good old-fashioned “results.” In short, these words are persuasive because they appeal to the simple things that every person considers most important at the end of the day.
It certainly can’t hurt to make a conscious effort to incorporate these words into your everyday lexicon. Whether you’re writing an e-mail, preparing a presentation, or drafting ad or promotional copy, maybe the undercurrent of emotion that runs through these words will make your message go down just a tad easier.
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