by Franklin Wordsmith | Apr 5, 2014 | Persuasion
The pie chart to the left frightens me every time. Only 7% of the information people who meet you receive comes from your words. 38% comes from your voice tone and quality. 55% is your body language. That’s because we know people can be coached on what and how...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Nov 8, 2013 | Persuasion
The $64,000 Word Theory Many people choose longer, more complex words because they think it makes them look smarter. They don’t realize the result takes longer to read, can send people (unhappily) to the dictionary, and gives the message that the writer is more...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Sep 5, 2013 | Persuasion
If you fall in love with a turn of phrase you’ve created, you won’t want to change it — even when you should. You’ll make the words around it do backbends so you can keep it. Reviewers will be uncannily drawn to your phrase and try to change...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Jul 15, 2013 | Persuasion
Lesson #1: Look at People and Speak Clearly to Connect with Them. Not surprisingly, the teenage boys who were witnesses for the prosecution often looked down and mumbled. That made them harder to hear — and they often got angry when asked to repeat something....
by Franklin Wordsmith | Jun 20, 2013 | Persuasion
The Gruel Theory: When a number of people must review something, put more content in the first draft than you know will survive. People are more likely to remove information than add it. And if your first draft isn’t strong enough, by the time everyone is done,...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Apr 16, 2013 | Persuasion
Keep a strong connection between your message and your audience. Envision an editor who has gotten yet another article pitch letter from someone who hasn’t read her magazine, standing with her hands on her hips and saying, “Frankly, honey — who...
