written by
Mike Todaro

Marketing Words that SELL, a Simple List

Editorial 1 min read

We are ALL going to be in marketing mode as the economy recovers. Now, some of you know that I (Mike Todaro) am retired from IBM, where I was a marketing rep with a quota. IBM took marketing VERY seriously. They were, back when I was hired in the late ‘70's, the #1 most respected company in the Fortune 500.

Going through my ancient IBM notes the other day I came across the following lists. I do not remember where I got them but I guarantee you I have never written ANYTHING to you or anyone else without remembering them intuitively. (Note that I used the word guarantee which, actually, you should never use because of, well, lawyers)

Allow me to share these two lists with you and I truly hope they help you as they have me here:

MARKETING WORDS: For every 100 words you write, make sure that 75% are words of five letters or less !!

  • GOOD WORDS THAT SELL:
    deserve
    discover
    easy
    free
    new
    profit
    proud
    proven
    results
    right
    safety
    save
    trust
    truth
    understand
    value
    you
  • BAD WORDS THAT ARE TURN OFF'S:
    bad
    buy
    contract
    cost
    decision
    difficult
    fail
    hard
    hurt
    liable
    lose
    loss
    obligation
    pay
    price
    sell
    sign
    try
    worry
opinion