March 5, 2012 - More on Words

You're probably asking yourself: "But Ross, how can we convince anyone of anything when we only have 8 words to use?"

Even if you didn't ask that, it's still important to know.
If you can make people recall experiences, they add additional words to your words.
By this, I mean that if you use words that draw on people's nostalgia and their five senses, they will add in the persuasive element required.

"Summer"
sound of wind chimes blowing in the breeze
smell of fresh cut grass
feel of sun on your back
sight of children playing hockey in the street
taste of grilled hot dogs

Summer is an abstract word. It's multiple concepts in one, it's very broad, and many people will recall different experiences. However, all of the sense-based example are concrete. They are specific, and they illustrate exact things that people can recall. This is important for making words powerful, active, and persuasive.

Let's look at another example.
"Love" It's an abstract word. But let's look at the first three images for "Love" to see the visual.

Hearts, red, passionate color

Red colors, privacy, embrace between two people, romantic settings

Love is universal, hearts, handwritten notes, obsession, kiss,  sweet, 

Just in these three pictures, Love has been made concrete. Each of these pictures call together thousands of words. It's like I don't even I need 8 additional words, and yet I still get to use those. The power of words is in your hands!