There’s obvious manipulative language and then there’s the more subtle. There is no backlash against it because it’s so subtle.
If you’ve ever felt turned-off by certain wording, it’s because the wording is at odds with the real intention. The words say one thing, the “energy” says another.
“Your email preferences have been updated”
said the millionth company forcing me to unsubscribe from something I never subscribed to.
These are not “my email preferences”. Stop putting words in my mouth. My preference is to not receive any unsolicited email. It’s about time I create a dedicated junk-mail account.
“With this Plan, you get unlimited data”
said the internet provider.
It’s not really a “plan” is it. It’s a perpetual overpriced subscription to your “service”. You only call it a “plan” because we associate the word with being in charge. A PLAN is something we create to reach a goal.
“This is not widely recognized”
says AI almost every time I search something that interests me. “Would you like to know something about XYZ instead?”
Did I ask your opinion? It’s a subtle way of saying “You shouldn’t be researching this because most people don’t believe it”. But if I’d believe what “most people” believe, I wouldn’t be half as successful as I am.
Takeaway: Use straightforward, clear, honest language in your Business if you wish to attract straightforward, clear and honest people.
