march 2012
CityLight.org 19
professional network on LinkedIn."
5. p
aint
a
pleasant
pictuRe
that
makes
the
listeneR
want
to
follow
youR
suggestions
.
I received an invitation to a museum fund-
raiser which stated, "Because of your im-
peccable manners, superb upbringing and
genuine southern hospitality, we invite
you to spend a delightful Saturday evening
mingling with your
friends and savoring
delicious southern
cuisine, while sup-
porting a wonderful
cause." This vivid
imagery replaces
the painful image
of a stodgy event
where you're asked
for money with one
of an intimate gath-
is hot. We know the beverage is hot. Please
don't burn yourself and then sue us."
3. m
ake
the
mundane
sound
pleasuRable
,
oR
at
least
moRe
inteResting
.
If you've ever loaded a computer program
you've seen a progress status bar with a
message like, "Please wait. This may take a
few minutes." Blue Mountain Arts online
greeting cards uses the same status bar, but
makes waiting feel good with messages like
"Warm thoughts heading your way..." and
"Saving trees one card at a time."
4. m
ake
the
language
listeneR
-
focused
&
Replace
"i"
with
"
you
,"
when
possible
.
The social networking site LinkedIn pro-
vides a standard request to connect with
business colleagues: "I'd like to add you to my
professional network on LinkedIn." But, it's
more effective and certainly more personable
to replace the I-focused "message with some-
thing more welcoming like, "Please join my
ering with friends, food and stylish social
responsibility.
Use these five techniques and you'll be
amazed at the results in both your speaking
and writing. They are simple, effective and
free. With a little practice it will be easy to
let your language do the heavy lifting that
allows you to increase your influence and
improve your results.