As an industry professional, there is likely a multitude of terms that you consider to be part of your every day vocabulary. But, depending on your industry, many of those terms may be unknown to the general public. This isn’t to say that, in your dealings with the general public, you can never use those terms. However, it’s important to always communicate your points effectively. And often, that will entail eliminating technical jargon.
This is especially true when it comes to your website copy. You want to make sure that whatever your visitors read is engaging, digestible and informative. You don’t want it to come off as “above their heads” as that’s a surefire way to lose their interest. Instead, you’ll want your website’s content read as if you were having a conversation with your customer. That is to say that it should be inviting and not pretentious.
What is the problem with website content that contains too much industry jargon? You stand the chance of ostracizing your readers. When someone visits your website and feels a sense of not knowing what you’re talking about, he/she is bound to leave without any intentions of returning. This isn’t to suggest that your use of technical jargon is meant to offend or confuse. It’s just a reminder that you have to remember that most members of the general public aren’t the experts in your field that you are.
In other words, it’s wise to remember that, most often, you’re a specialist communicating with non-specialists. It stands to reason that you may want to take it easy on them. Especially in the legal and medical communities, there is a lot of jargon that most people don’t particularly understand. Your average person may consider the explanations on certain legal and medical websites to be obscure and convoluted. This does not help for potential buyers to become interested.
When is technical jargon acceptable? Of course, when you are speaking to members of your industry – experts in their respective fields – it’s perfectly acceptable to use jargon that you know they understand. This includes its use in emails, newsletters and press releases. Your use of jargon, in such cases, may also include acronyms which, depending on your industry, can mean different things.
For example, in the entertainment industry, ADR stands for “additional dialogue replacement”. It represents the work an actor does in a recording studio when it is necessary to add additional dialogue to a film or television production that was not originally recorded during filming. However, in the medical community, ADR may refer to “artificial disc replacement” – a surgery meant to treat chronic back pain.
Now, if your website copy clearly explains such technical jargon, it also helps for it to be acceptable. Jargon is best utilized when it is being fully explained to your target audience. That way, readers can feel that they are being informed and are being put “in the know”. When used by people in the presence of those who are unaware of their meaning, jargon can actually come off as a form of bad manners or even disrespect.
In an effort to help you avoid giving off such an impression, MeloTel is happy to have announced, this past week, that Technical Writing Services have been added to the list of services offered by our Bloggers & Creative Writers For Hire. In addition to writing your blogs, our team can also ensure that your website content, email newsletters and other important copy are free of technical jargon so that they effectively communicate your company’s message.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-888-MELOTEL or use the Live Chat feature on our website!
