Keep It Simple
The K.I.S.S. philosophy still reigns king when developing messaging.
I just finished cleaning out some of our files and ran across an ad that was placed in the Wall Street Journal some time ago. I think we all need to be reminded that the K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid) Philosophy needs dusting off now and again. Here’s the copy from the ad.
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Keep It Simple
Strike three.
Get your hand off my knee.
You’re overdrawn.
Your horse won.
Yes. No.
You have the account.
Walk.
Don’t walk.
Mom’s dead.
Basic events require simple language.
Idiosyncratically euphemistic eccentricities are the promulgators of triturable obfuscation.
What did you do last night? Enter into a meaningful romantic involvement, or fall in love?
What did you have for breakfast this morning? The upper part of a hog’s hind leg with two oval bodies encased in a shell laid by a female bird, or ham and eggs?
David Belasco, the great American theatrical producer, once said: “If you can’t write your idea on the back of my calling card, you don’t have a clear idea.”
Where in the World is Anthony?
Gave keynote this morning in Kearney, Nebraska at a government risk management conference. Presenting tip 34: Controlling the physical environment in which you talk is crucial to audience engagement. Get there early to minimize tech issues and set up the room to your advantage.
Spoke this morning in Des Moines, Iowa. Crisis communications tip 24: Have a minimum of two spokespeople who have gone through media training. Need a media trainer? I know a guy... 😉
Speaking this week in Iowa and Nebraska. Messaging tip 12: Be narrow & specific. People want 'meat and potatoes,' not 'puff pastry.'
Spoke all day today in Chicago. Crisis communications tip 61: Review, drill, and update your crisis plan once a year. Don't have a plan? Get one! No, seriously...you need a plan.
Spent the afternoon teaching a Chicago-based contractor how to do news interviews. News media tip 6: Don't waste a reporter's time by being unprepared. Facts+good quote=win for you.