InVisibleLight

Say What You Mean Part Three: “New”

31st May, 2010 - Posted by janebeard - No Comments

We’ve been coaching a bunch of speeches this week, and it seems like most speakers want to talk about some “new” feature they’re delivering to their customers.

We’re urging them not to do it…because you can do so much better than, “new.”

In fact, “new” is pretty commonplace, especially in Western society. “New” isn’t necessarily better. It’s just, you know, “new.”

We think some more specific language might be in order. Rather than just assuming that the audience would accurately assume what was good about things being “new,” we asked our speakers to actually tell them.

Here’s what we came up with. Sometimes “new” really means:

- the first this product or service has been offered
- updated
- expanded
- re-vamped
- more focused service
- a re-commitment to an idea or level of service
- innovative
- fresh or refreshed
- original
- next in a series of continuous improvements
- fledgling
- early adoption of an idea or technology
- better, improved
- not on line yet, but we promise you it’s coming
- something we should have been doing for a while and finally are doing now

Who knew? At least now, these audiences will!

What other things does “new” actually mean in your world? Share you suggestions here!

Saying what you mean – taking the time to be specific – helps your audience understand you. Take a look here and here at previous posts, which can help you “say What You Mean.”