Some restaurants have a signature dish.
A dish they’re known for; that put them on the map.
It distinguishes them.
The Big Mac is McDonald’s signature burger.
The busy restaurant where I waited tables in college had a signature dish. People ordered it like crazy.
I didn’t like it at all, but I didn’t let that ruin it for other folks. I told them it was definitely our signature dish and very popular.
Some athletes have a signature move.
- Michael Jordon has the fadeaway shot.
- Dan Marino is known for his lightening-quick release throw.
- Mike Tyson is famous for his powerful uppercut “knockout” punch.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is famous for his skyhook shot.
It’s good to make a mark with a signature.
As content publishers, you can make a mark with voice, style and individual words.
In fact, you can, over time, develop signature words your audience comes to know and love from you.
My go-to words
I’ve noticed that I have go-to words. Whether they’re signature words, that’s up to the reader. I just know I love using some words. They are:
“carpet-bomb”
“idiotic”
“mountains” as in mountains of money
“truckloads” again, as in truckloads of money
“commish” as in affiliate commissions
“long tails”
“crank” as in crank out the content or “crank n’ bank” referring to high-volume publishing to make money.
“delight”, “delighted” and “delightful”
“Boom” as in “BOOM! Congrats on your success.”
“Judiciously” as in I use certain words judiciously (selectively or carefully).
“Hordes” as in “hordes of competition.
“Clown” as in that dude is a clown.
“Bang it out” as in “bang out content or bang out keywords.”
Select word repetition in your content can be good.
They become your signature.
There’s a fine line between overusing them and using them repeatedly for effect.
I’m mindful of that.
I’d like to carpet-bomb my content with “carpet-bomb” but restrain myself.
I probably utilize it more than I should.
My other favorite words are used judiciously, or at least I think they are.
Do you have a list of go-to words for your content?
I suspect you do.
These lists arise naturally when you write a lot.
It gives your content flavor.
Use them… selectively.
If you use them too often, they lose impact.
Not enough and they fail to be significant in your writing.
What kinds of words work as signature words?
They should be seldom-used words but not pretentious or words folks have to check a dictionary for.
Examples could be:
- Righteous
- “Biblical” as in Biblical proportions
- Tasty
- Kneejerk
- Whippersnapper
Coining your own terms is righteous
When you coin terms that readers come to recognize, that’s awesome.
It’s not easy to do.
But if you do it, you’ve clearly made a mark with words.
Those who copy you are clowns because it’s your word.
Most importantly of all, if you have a readership who come to recognize your writing, you have loyal readers.
What could be better?
Jon
Fatstacksblog.com
P.S. There are also words that annoy me. They are:
“bump” as in “bumping this email in case you missed it.” FYI, I did not miss the email. I’m not interested.
“revert” as in “thanks for the info. I will revert back to you in due course.” Nails on a chalkboard annoying. Just say “get back…”
“utilize” as in “why don’t you just say “use”?”
“circling” as in “circling back to you just in case you missed my email.” Again, didn’t miss it. Not interested.
Jon runs the place around here. He pontificates about launching and growing online publishing businesses, aka blogs that make a few bucks. His pride and joy is the email newsletter he publishes.
In all seriousness, Jon is the founder and owner of a digital media company that publishes a variety of web properties visited and beloved by millions of readers monthly. Fatstacks is where he shares a glimpse into his digital publishing business.
