The power of words
After over 20 years of helping brands connect with students, there is still one area in which we still see the same mistakes being made… Language.
Everything from your responses on Social Media, to your choice of words on your Freshers Fair backdrop needs to resonate with the student consumer and more importantly needs to reflect your brand or business.
But we’re not just talking about nailing your tone of voice, that’s already a given! You also need to focus on the words themselves, so if you’re at a loss for words? It could be the case that your ads are too.
As a businesses with a student focus, you’re already competing with thousands of other advertisers for this audience’s eyes. Whether this is online, offline or every other targeting route you can think of!
This is why you have to make your message not just clear but crystal clear. Students aren’t mind readers, so don’t expect them to be. They shouldn’t have to read between the lines to discover what your brand, product or offering actually is. Saying this, don’t just state the obvious either. Don’t dumb it down but don’t be so elusive that they have no idea who you are, or what you do. You need to think of every route of written communication as the first handshake between your brand and your student consumer.
From every first encounter you need to make yourselves clear. Who are you? What do you have to offer? And why you and students are such a good match? You want to form connections with these students, so always keep in mind that if consumers are confused or fail to easily answer any of these questions, then a connection isn’t looking likely!
So when it comes to writing that ticks all the student boxes, follow these 4 simple tips:
1. Using bigger words won’t make you look or sound smarter
In fact, it can actually do the opposite. To sound smart, you’ve got to stop trying to sound smart. Great writing is often simple writing, a good idea delivered clearly and concisely. Why explain yourselves in 100 fancy words when you can do it in 10 simple ones?
2. Have something to say
If you’re struggling to describe who you are and what you do, this is going to show. When you have nothing to say, you often feel forced to write sentences that may sound meaningful, but in reality deliver nothing. You need to know how to summarise your business. Understanding how to do this will always make your writing much easier and quicker.
3. Make each word count and keep them active
Boring sentences bore people, it really is that simple. You need to put your audience first and yourself in the background. Focus on messages that speak to them and engages them from the very first sentence. Don’t waste space with words such as ‘very’ and ‘rather’. Use active words such as ‘you’, ‘need’ and ‘now’.
4. Keep it easy
It sounds easy because it is. This is probably the most important tip of all. Wherever possible keep it easy. Easy to read, easy to digest, easy to engage with and easy to share. If you’re falling flat at any of these points, you’ll struggle stand a chance in the student market.
If you want to know more or want some advice from one of our industry experts, get in touch today!