5 Things To Stop Saying if You’re in Marketing, PR, or Communications

Marketers and Communicators are as likely as anyone to fall into the bad habit of using trendy slang that makes them sound unprofessional. But, for those of you in these fields, your words are your tools (and weapons)!

So use your big boy words if you’re a dude, cut the vocal fry if you’re a grrrrl, and communicate more effectively by cutting these annoying words and phrases out of your vocabulary.

1. “Ummmmm…”
I don’t mean “um” as a mid-sentence pause. Most people say that. I mean don’t use “um” to start a sentence and to show disagreement with the topic at hand.  This is manufactured hipster awkwardness. And speaking of awkwardness…

2. “Awkward!”
No explanation of this is needed. The next grown man who says this in a high pitch in my presence will get punched in the throat.

3. “Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah”
When you agree with someone, just say “yeah”. “Yes” would be better. “Yeah yeah yeah yeah” tells the person that you really mean “Yeah, I agree, now shutup already.” 

4. “Right right right right right”
See #3

5. “The Ask”
Stop using the word ASK as a noun. It’s a verb.  There are many nouns that you could use instead including requirement, proposition, request, demand, investment, and question. These words may stop you from sounding like an empty suit.