Once a year, in a certain town, the people gather.
They adorn Viking helmets, spread mayonnaise on their lawns, wear extra heavy boots and stomp the flood of weasels that storm their town.
It’s a messy and aggressive tradition treated as a proudly festive holiday. They’re practicing a civic duty after all (political fun for all ages).
Even has its own jovial song heard in a short documentary by Robot Chicken
It’s… also very fake.
All untrue.
Not a real event at all.
But I like it.
I practice it even.
And when you practice it, you’ll feel a lot better too.
Because of course it relates to email.
Stomping weasels on the street is the same exercise you want when you stomp weasel words in your emails.
Weasel words- Terms and expressions you use that kill your authority and leadership relationships.
They make you come off weak, spineless and un-inspired, when you’re the exact opposite.
You may not even know you’re using them, so let me bring you up to speed.
Just ask Inigo Montoya.
Ever use the following authority-killing expressions in your emails:
– “Just checking in…” (No you’re not, you have something specific in mind. Lead with it.)
– “I think this is pretty good” (You _think_? Thoughts are cool, but expert knowledge is power.)
– “Sorry to bother you…” or “Don’t want to bother you…” (But you do want to bother me, so do it. Bother with purpose. If you have our email address, we give you permission to do so.)
– “Sorry if you don’t like it.” (Don’t apologize or explain to people how they feel. If you’re proud of your work it doesn’t matter if people come or go or stay to enjoy.)
– “I’ll make this quick..” (NO! Make it **effective and efficient**. Don’t dilute it because you think people won’t make the time for something you have that will make their life better.)
– “Did you get my last message…” (Whether I got it or not, don’t let us ponder the past. Tell us what we missed.)
Honorable mentions: “in my opinion”, “honestly”, “common sense” and other redundant terms that don’t mean what you think they mean.
Weasel words force you to work 2x as hard to make up for the damage caused.
Meaning you send more messages, write longer paragraphs to clarify ideas and overwhelm the reader.
When you can easily do it well and right the first time without the “weasel words”.
Enter Emails That Earn Quick Responses.
Each script… “weasel-word” free. I stomped them all for you.
So you’ll make the point you want, own your authority in the conversation as an equal with your reader, and build a lasting relationship.
Make every day a day to stomp a weasel… word.
Be well,
Max!
P.S. I’m making improvements to the daily email content so it’s more focused on you and your goals this Spring.
What’s on your mind and agenda for the next 90 days?