Why should jargon be avoided when communicating

Using business jargon in the office is a common practice in workplaces near and far. Some employers and even employees feel like using fancy terms or making up acronyms is savvy or creates some sort of comforting insider feel in the workplace. Unfortunately, business jargon confuses and alienates employees while hampering productivity more often than it helps.

Phrases That Confuse

In many cases, phrases have become so bastardized or are used in such strange context that employees have no idea what to make of them. Phrases such as “break down the silos” or “tee it up” may cause some employees to draw a blank. Even worse, confused employees may recognize the unfamiliar wording as a cliché but not understand what it means, so they may be embarrassed to ask and actually discern what they were meant to take from the phrase.

Phrases That Offend

In some cases, phrases may be used so often that their users fail to realize that the meaning or context behind the phrase is actually highly offensive. “Open the kimono” is one such phrase that refers to sharing all information equally, but that could be taken in a very wrong way by employees that don’t understand. It is best to simply avoid the figurative language and stick to literal meanings whenever these types of phrases come to mind during business conversations.

Unclear Terms

The billionaire businessman Richard Branson says that for a long time, he didn’t understand the difference between “net” and “gross.” This illustrates the point that even those that are highly competent may not understand certain business terms well enough to make effective use of them. Employers and managers should attempt to use simple language and explain things as clearly as possible, asking employees without judgment if everything is understood.

Acronyms to Drop

Acronyms can be extremely tempting to use, as text and instant messaging has made hundreds of different acronyms commonplace. “OMG,” “LOL,” and “BRB” are a few that have somehow made their way from the written word to the spoken word. Unfortunately, not everyone understands the meaning behind even the most common acronyms, so using an acronym like “LOL” that means “laugh out loud” and having someone interpret it as “lots of love” can cause issues in the workplace.

What to Avoid

A few of the most commonly used phrases in the workplace that should be avoided include:

• Core competency
• Parking lot this
• Big boy pants
• Elephant in the room
• Move the goal posts
• Paradigm shift
• Out of pocket
• Bite the bullet
• Think outside the box

The Beauty of Simplicity

Employers should avoid using jargon or clichés and should encourage managers to avoid using them, as well. Striving for clarity and simplicity in directions, requests, inquisitions, and goal setting will help to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals. It will take time if everyone has become used to using jargon, but the workplace may experience improved communication as a result.

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About the Author

Dave Rietsema is the CEO of Matchr and former HR Professional with more than 10 years of experience helping companies to find the best HR software.

The results showed that using high amounts of jargon when talking to other medical experts resulted in higher credibility than using less jargon in these forums. Conversely the opposite was true. For the layperson, using low amounts of jargon resulted in higher credibility than using high amounts of jargon. However, in both situations, the more jargon was used the less it was perceived as trustworthy.

Another study at the New York University concluded that there was a lower level of trust when vague words were used (such as, ‘An apology would be needed if my words have caused offence’) and a higher level when more concrete words were used (such as, ‘I am sorry’).

We tend to use jargon when we want to avoid something but, ironically, the more you use jargon, the more people think you are just flat out lying. So, when we overuse jargon, people trust us less and doubt our intentions.

Consequence 2 – Miscommunication
As well as lack of trust, overuse of jargon can mean people disconnect from your message, feel isolated and ultimately lead to miscommunication. If everyone understands the jargon, then it can be a very efficient way of communicating. But beware, just because people are saying ‘move the needle’, does not mean they understand the phrase. What’s more, their interpretation may be different to yours.

In 2014, Richard Branson wrote a LinkedIn article titled ‘Why you should do away with jargon’. His opening paragraph read:

Some businesses crowd their blogs, articles, and newsletters with a lot of jargon. After all, it’s supposed to make your content, and your brand by extension, sound smarter, right? Not always. Though using professional language in your content can help your brand sound more sophisticated, there are some reasons to avoid it. In this guide, we discuss topics like:

What Is Jargon?

Image via Unsplash by @dtbosse

Jargon is words or expressions used to describe topics and ideas in specific industries or professions. It’s often used to impress your audience rather than inform them. Though people within an industry might understand it, a larger, more general audience might not. For instance, an article about content marketing might use the term KPI, which stands for key performance indicator. Though that term is common in the marketing industry, readers from outside the field might not know the term describes quantifiable measurements used to evaluate success.

Is Jargon the Same as Professional Language?

Jargon and professional language can be the same thing, or different, depending on how you use them. For example, when discussing content marketing, some writers might use terms such as search engine optimization (SEO), call-to-action (CTA), or pay-per-click (PPC). Those industry terms are examples of professional language that often appear when discussing content marketing and its various strategies. If your brand uses just the acronyms with no additional explanation, the professional language quickly turns into jargon.

To ensure that this doesn’t happen, it’s helpful to give the reader a short definition of the term the first time it’s mentioned in a piece of content. For example, your writers could include a sentence like this in copy:

• Search engine optimization (SEO) is the act of continuously monitoring and updating web content and settings to grow your organic traffic from search engines.

By defining what SEO is, the content becomes more accessible to a wider audience, making it professional language, not jargon.

Pros of Using Jargon in Content

Here are some pros to using jargon in your content:

Builds Trust and Community

When your brand uses jargon in its content, you’re displaying your membership to a larger business community. Think of it like writing for a small-town newspaper or publication. When the writer uses street names or references local businesses, they’re displaying their knowledge of the community about which they’re writing. It’s similar when you’re addressing people from a certain industry. If you’re sharing an article about content marketing best practices, then other content marketers may trust that your brand understands the field and has something knowledgeable to say about the topic.

Shows Authority

Using jargon may signal authority and expertise. If readers see your brand uses jargon confidently, they might feel more inclined to keep reading or watching your content, even if they don’t know what the jargon means. They may think that by continuing to engage with your content, they can pick up the jargon meaning in context. Showing authority can also help make your brand seem more trustworthy, which encourages viewers to read even more content that you produce and share it with others. That can increase your client outreach and make your readers more loyal to your brand as well.

Adds Value

Though some audiences might prefer jargon-free content, using it can help add value to the products or services you’re talking about. Consider an automotive content company talking about used cars. The common term “used car” is easy to understand, but it’s a little mundane, maybe even off-putting. Replacing the term with jargon like “previously owned vehicle” makes the product sound more interesting and sellable.

Other examples include companies like Starbucks that use terms like tall or grande to replace common words like small and medium for its sizing. The jargon adds a layer of excitement for the customer. They might find additional value in what they’re buying because it sounds more luxurious, or they feel more prestigious or professional themselves by learning and understanding the industry jargon.

Cons of Using Jargon in Content

Here are some cons to using jargon in your content:

Lowers Trust

Though there are cases where jargon builds trust within a community, that’s not always the outcome. Sometimes when businesses use jargon in their content, audiences are less trusting of the company. The University of Munster and New York University conducted studies on the effects of jargon and how readers perceive it. In both studies, the results showed when a writer used a lot of jargon in their content, people thought the information was less credible. When people wrote statements in plain, understandable language, the readers were more likely to believe and trust what they were saying.

To determine whether using jargon for your content raises or lowers trust with clients, consider doing audience research. Poll your clients and followers for their feedback in your newsletter or on social media. CopyPress runs polls like these on our LinkedIn page to better understand the climate and current trends in marketing as told by real professionals.

Prevents Meaningful Connection

Whether you’re writing a piece of content or you’re talking with a client, making a connection is important to completing a sale. Sometimes, when you use jargon, you put up a barrier to that connection. For instance, if you’re talking to a client who doesn’t understand marketing, and has no interest in learning, someone who just wants to hire a competent company for the job, you might not discuss SEO and KPIs. Instead, you’d talk about how your services can increase trust in their brand and lead to more sales.

Affects Search Traffic

If your clients aren’t using jargon in their searches, Google might not display your content to them. For instance, say someone wanted to know more about their website’s traffic. Instead of searching “how to improve my SEO” or “how to improve my website’s traffic” they might search “how to get more views on my website.” Using simple language can help increase your search results and create content that your customers can find more easily. Using jargon in your content can hinder your search traffic and make it more difficult to reach your intended audience.

Should I Use Jargon in My Content?

The most important thing you can do when deciding on if you should use jargon in your content is to know your audience. If your brand’s audience trusts you when you use industry jargon, then use it in your content. But if you’re trying to increase your client outreach or expand your offerings to sell your products to people who might not know a lot about your field, avoid using excessive jargon in your blogs and articles.

A great way to learn more about your audience and what they like is to look at who’s reading your competitor’s content. CopyPress offers a free content analysis report to show you more about how your pieces compare to your top three competitors. Request your results today and learn what your audience wants to see in their content.

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Other Types of Language to Avoid in Content Writing

If you’re writing content for a general audience, it might be helpful to avoid certain jargon. But it’s also helpful to avoid other types of language too, such as:

Buzzwords

Buzzwords are words and phrases that convey popular, timely ideas. Unlike jargon, people may use certain buzzwords no matter their industry. Examples of buzzwords include: “groundbreaking,” “thought leader,” and “circle back.” Though some buzzwords help convey big ideas using fewer words, not everyone understands what they mean. Using buzzwords in your content can provide the same pros and cons as using jargon, which could help or hinder your content depending on your audience.

Slang

Slang are words or phrases that are informal and derive from a particular era or social group. The words used in slang may make content more conversational and also increase engagement with certain audiences. However, slang can also date your content, stopping it from becoming evergreen. Evergreen content is that which stays relevant for longer compared to trending content. After a few years, slang may become less popular and stop readers from engaging with your content as much as they used to.

Idioms

Idioms are phrases that have additional figurative meanings outside of their literal meanings. For example, the phrase “raining cats and dogs” means it’s raining heavily or steadily. Idioms and colloquialisms can help your audience connect with content because they sound more conversational. But just like jargon, some readers might not know what the idioms mean. Idioms can also prevent an international audience from understanding your content. That’s because they might not make sense when translated into another language.

How To Write Content Without Using Jargon

Here’s a list of steps to help you write for your audience without the use of jargon or buzzwords:

1. Identify Your Audience

When you identify your audience, you have a better understanding of how to communicate with them. That’s because you know more about the language they use and the best way to attract their attention. A great way to identify your audience is by reading their comments. Look at the feedback customers leave on your social media accounts. Examine some of the product reviews they leave on your website. Study their language and see if there are any common words or phrases that they use.

Another way to learn how to write for your audience is through customer personas, or fictional representations of customers who are most likely to buy your products or services. They include information like education level, career, and reasons for purchasing products or services. As you develop personas, you can have a better understanding of how your customers might talk or communicate. From knowing them better, you understand if they’d use a more complex vocabulary and how they’d like to learn new information.

2. Focus on Simplicity

As you develop content, focus on the simplest way to talk about something. If you’re using fancy or complex vocabulary, the content might confuse your readers. When you use short and simple statements, your brand can communicate the information you need to share more clearly. This helps increase the readers’ satisfaction and makes it so they feel more engaged with your content. For instance, let’s say you’re writing about search engine optimization (SEO). The sentence, “SEO is the function of optimizing your website and content to increase its organic search traffic and garner attention,” isn’t the best definition for a general audience.

Instead, consider writing the sentence like this: “Search engine optimization (SEO) is the act of improving your website or content to increase its visibility and attract new customers to your business.” This sentence is a much simpler definition that replaces a lot of the technical jargon and fancy vocabulary to make the statement more understandable.

3. Ensure You Know Each Definition

If you need to use professional language in your content writing, it’s important to make sure that you’re using it correctly. When you use jargon or professional language incorrectly, it can disengage your readers from the content. It can also lower their trust in your brand. As you use industry terms, check their definitions and make sure you’re using each word accurately. If you’re not sure about the definition, consider asking for advice from someone else in the industry. Also, consider writing the content without the professional language and see if it’s still understandable.

4. Ask For Feedback

The best way to ensure your content is understandable and helpful is to ask for the readers’ feedback. When you publish new articles or blogs, add a section at the bottom where readers can leave reviews or comments. As they respond, you can see what type of content your audience prefers and the style of writing they like to read.

It’s also helpful to send out surveys. Create a survey with a list of questions about the content you show your audience. Ask them how they feel about the writing and the professional language you use. If your overall audience appreciates your use of jargon, keep using it. If they find your content a little confusing, consider using less jargon in your writing.

Sometimes it might be appropriate to use jargon in your content writing. But avoiding it can help make your blogs and articles more engaging and understandable to your audience. The best thing to remember is that if you use jargon in your content, it’s helpful to define it for a general audience. This can help increase your customer outreach and the trustworthiness of your blogs and articles.