Keep It Simple
The K.I.S.S. philosophy still reigns king when developing messaging.
I just finished cleaning out some of our files and ran across an ad that was placed in the Wall Street Journal some time ago. I think we all need to be reminded that the K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid) Philosophy needs dusting off now and again. Here’s the copy from the ad.
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Keep It Simple
Strike three.
Get your hand off my knee.
You’re overdrawn.
Your horse won.
Yes. No.
You have the account.
Walk.
Don’t walk.
Mom’s dead.
Basic events require simple language.
Idiosyncratically euphemistic eccentricities are the promulgators of triturable obfuscation.
What did you do last night? Enter into a meaningful romantic involvement, or fall in love?
What did you have for breakfast this morning? The upper part of a hog’s hind leg with two oval bodies encased in a shell laid by a female bird, or ham and eggs?
David Belasco, the great American theatrical producer, once said: “If you can’t write your idea on the back of my calling card, you don’t have a clear idea.”
Where in the World is Anthony?
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Gave opening keynote this morning in St. Louis. Team presenting tip 7: Know in advance who will address specific topics or questions in Q&A. Be prepared!
Spoke today at two different events in Phoenix. Crisis tip 17: Don't do news interviews directly in front of the crisis scene. The news media want to show you in front of the "trainwreck." Resist!
Spoke in Ohio the past three days. Crisis communications tip 3: There are 12 audiences to communicate to in a crisis. Employees are no. 1 on the list.
Spoke at two events today in and around Austin, Texas. Tip 112: ChatGPT (and other AI) now makes everyone a great writer. So the future of differentiation in the workplace and marketplace will be VERBAL communications. Are you and your company prepared to TALK in this new world?