5 Marketing Words We Can Stop Using Right Now

Published: May 14, 2014 / No Comments

Words can be a lot like workout clothes, marvelous when you first start using them, but pretty stinky after years of overuse. After reading three emails in one day that contained the same tired hyperbole, I decided that we owe it to our readers to do better.

Now I confess to being as guilty as anyone of using at least some of these words in the past, but after years of valiant performance I believe these (and probably many others) are ready for a break. So the next time you catch yourself reaching for one of these words, how about taking a few extra minutes to come up with a fresher approach.

1. Killer. I personally love this word, but it’s been used beyond exhaustion. Let’s give it a rest, shall we?
2. Massive. You know what’s massive? The Pacific ocean. Or the amount of particulate matter floating in the galaxy. You know what’s not massive? The amount of credibility your product or service still gets when using this word in pitches.
3. Super Pumped. Unless you’re selling fitness equipment or services, this phrase is done.
4. Awesome. As an American, I am especially loathe to give up this word. After all, what’s more awesome than our god-given right as Americans to overuse the word awesome? But it’s time.
5. Secret. Please note: if you just wrote about it in a blog post, it’s probably not a secret. So let’s call a spade a spade… and not a secret.

Got any overused marketing words you’re ready to be done with? I’d love to hear ’em!