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How To Be Less Cryptic In Your Communication

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

TalkingIt is so not easy to effectively communicate with people. I am starting to think it is getting WORSE lately than say 10 or 20 years ago. The world is moving too fast, and people are not taking time to SLOW DOWN to see if the recipient has received a high level of understanding. It can happen face to face even, or over the phone. But where you see SO MANY people misspeaking is with the written form. I call it cryptic. What did they say? Where you turn into Sherlock Holmes deciphering their written blurb. Tips to not be so cryptic as a writer:

  1. Write complete sentences, not short blurbs
  2. Don't TEASE people with a few words thinking it is cute. It is miscommunicating
  3. Totally steer clear of Twitter and texting if what you are saying is anything of importance
  4. In email organize your thoughts in PARAGRAPHS
  5. Prompt at the end of your communication if there are questions, contact you
  6. Over communicate on a topic to totally fill in areas, to leave no doubt what you want to say
  7. Make sense. Are you on drugs? Sometimes you read what someone writes and it is not even coherent. It reflects poorly on you to not have a rational thought
  8. Try best you can to have good grammar and spelling with your writing. It also reflects poorly on your profession when you come across like a second grader
  9. The main point about NOT being cryptic is do NOT leave out vital information. Is this deliberate? Are you a manipulator? Are you stupid? Why are you leaving out something that someone needs to know to have understanding of what you are talking about?

Being cryptic is the way of the 21st century you will unfortunately see is more the rule than the exception. Open up Facebook and someone just says, "FEELING BLUE". Well did the dog die or you missed your Corn Flakes rushing out the door cause you slept late? It matters. It bothers people that you are SUCH A TERRIBLE communicator. So get with it AND STOP BEING CRYPTIC.

Comments (13)

John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good morning Gary.  You are absolutely right when it comes to communicating we must keep it clean, clean and professional.  Sometimes I think real communication will one day be a lost art.

Dec 16, 2014 01:00 AM
Tanya Van Blake-Coleman
Van Blake-Coleman Realty, St. Thomas/www.talk-to-Tanya.com - St Thomas, VI
Improving the Quality of Your Life

Gary communications is the key to all relationships in life. Mis-understanding is probably the cause for most deals not closing. Good luck!

Dec 16, 2014 01:07 AM
Mary Douglas
United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO
REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

I love your last paragraph Gary, it made me laugh out loud. In our business, it's necessary to fully communicate; but often it's cut short with some technology!

Dec 16, 2014 01:24 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Great thoughts on communicating, As you know it is easy to be misunderstood

Dec 16, 2014 01:42 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

So many people abbreviate now and they're really not sure of how to abbreviate. Writing the word out and communicating well is a virtue. Your blog is spot on as usual Gary Woltal 

Dec 16, 2014 01:48 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Gary, communication is so important in any arena. Without proper communication, it can lead to misunderstanding and a lot of problems.

Dec 16, 2014 02:41 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Cryptic emails are the worst.  And without having that critical element of nonverbal communication, it is even MORE vital to put in every detail in your communication.

Dec 16, 2014 12:21 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Gary ... I have to agree with you on this post! Being around relatives that speak broken English creates a communication gap 

Dec 21, 2014 03:51 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

G~Good points. 

haha!

(That's the most cryptic I'll ever be.)

Dec 27, 2014 05:08 AM
Lisa Friedman
Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT
35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

I have been told that my emails are too long to read, however I prefer to be descriptive and clear rather than risk someone missing the point. As a very detail oriented person, I feel it is my duty to make sure that the other person completely understands what I am trying to say. If it is important enough to take the time to write it, then it is important enough to read it, in my opinion. I do edit my paragraphs to remove extraneous sentences/words to try to make them as concise as possible. There's a long winded response for you!

Jan 05, 2015 10:38 PM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

Gary  I end many of my emails with: "You can't ask enough questions.".  Also, I like to document anything in writing so I can refer back if a misunderstanding occurs.  Great blog!

Jan 05, 2015 11:33 PM
Anonymous
Jerez

4th sentence Error The world is moving tpo fast Just caught this and thought you’d want to know. I do proof reading.

Apr 16, 2018 02:32 PM
#12
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I like ''simple'' in everything. Also, writing to younger clients long messages can be counterproductive for both of us. they want short fast answers. 

Oct 25, 2023 02:43 PM