Marketers "need" to replace this word...

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

Do you have words that annoy you every time you see them?

I have a few. One is "hacks." My aversion to that one is so strong that if an email subject line offers "Hacks" for any purpose, I delete the message.

Thankfully, that one isn't in such common use as the other one that bugs me.

The word that keeps jumping out of advertisements to annoy me is "needs."

"Need" is a poor word to use when speaking to a client or prospective client - as in "You thumbs downneed to..." They're apt to react with resistance - the same way a child does when told he or she needs to clean their room or do homework before watching TV.

But that's just an unwise idea. It's not the "needs" I'm thinking about right now.

The one that bugs me is marketing that says the advertiser will take care of "All your real estate needs" - or all of your anything else needs. I see it used in marketing for flooring, roofing, siding, hardware, shipping, and on and on.

It's a catch-all word that really doesn't describe anything the advertiser has to offer, and it more than likely isn't true.

Really - can you imagine any one agent being able to take care of all the real estate needs of everyone who might read that advertising?

And isn't it a bit lazy - and ineffective? Wouldn't it be better to spell out what it is you really do? For instance, helping people buy and sell homes in a specific city? Or helping people buy or sell commercial property, development land, waterfront lots, or farm and ranch property somewhere specific?

Disclaimer: I may be the only person in the U.S. bothered by that word.

Comments (52)

Myrl Jeffcoat
GreatWest Realty - Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Real Estate Agent

I should also mention that I agree 100% with comment #31, left by Rebecca Gaujot.  I hate abreviations.  I'm constantly trying to Google them up to see what folks are talking about!

Jan 27, 2019 03:11 PM
Francine Viola
Coldwell Banker Evergreen Olympic Realty, Olympia WA - Olympia, WA
REALTOR®, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs

Ok Marte - I NEED your help on this and I'm not kidding.  My tag line is "In Tune with your Real Estate Needs."  And at the time I wrote this, I knew "needs" was not the best choice of words but couldn't come up with an alternative that was short and to the point.  Any ideas?

Jan 27, 2019 03:15 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor® That's the side effect of texting, I expect. And Twitter could be somewhat to blame too. The goal is to say everything is as few characters as possible. But TU? If they have to abbreviate, why not TY?

Jan 27, 2019 03:43 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Myrl Jeffcoat We all have a right to decide what we need - or even deserve. We just don't "need" someone else telling us what that is. I agree with both you and Rebecca on the abbreviations. I hardly ever even use them when writing notes to myself - I don't want to have to figure out later what I meant!

 

Jan 27, 2019 03:46 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Francine Viola How about dreams, goals, wishes, requirements, or ambitions?

Anybody else want to add an idea or two?

Jan 27, 2019 03:49 PM
Francine Viola

Thank you Marte Cliff for the good ideas! ;-)

Jan 27, 2019 03:52 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc 610-225-7400 - Devon, PA
Tredyffrin Easttown Realtor, Philly Main Line

Better go check I am not using needs anywhere as I totally agree with you. 

Jan 28, 2019 07:09 AM
Joyce Marsh
Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC - Luxury Real Estate

Now I'm going to go back and check my own posts for the use of these words.  You make a very good point.  Thanks

Jan 28, 2019 08:30 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 and Joyce Marsh, Daytona Ormond Beach Florida - I've never used "All your needs," but have found the "need" word in some of my past articles. After giving it more thought, I'm now looking harder at those sentences and re-writing if they sound "preachy."

Of course, if you turn it around, it seems OK to me - as in "I'll help you find what you want and need." And what about "Your clients need to feel that they are more to you than just a paycheck." That sounds better to me than "You need to make your clients feel..."

Jan 28, 2019 10:02 AM
Margaret Goss
Baird & Warner Real Estate - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

The use of "need" is rampant in titles for simple things like "YOU NEED THIS RECIPE NOW," or " "THESE ARE THE EXERCISES YOU NEED TO BE DOING."

I am SO tired of being told I need something.

Jan 28, 2019 01:52 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Margaret Goss They don't even know you, but they know what you need! Silly, isn't it?

Jan 28, 2019 02:05 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA - Bristow, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Need is a good one to be annoyed by, especially in the context you give.  

Jan 28, 2019 05:49 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Chris Ann Cleland The word has a whole different vibe if you're saying "I'll help you find a house that suits your needs" or saying "You need to..."

Jan 28, 2019 08:48 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Marte:

Thanks for another good reminder - I suspected I have used this a bit generically a few times. It’s something I will be on the lookout for going forward. Thank you!

Jeff

Jan 30, 2019 12:56 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jeff Dowler, CRS I think we all have. I'm just paying more attention now that I gave it more thought.

Jan 30, 2019 02:42 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

I agree with you on this one, Marte Cliff ... and in those formats where I can explain a more complete thought and plan of action, I do.  But in some formats, such as Twitter, etc. where "short and sweet" must be taken into consideration ... the word "needs" gets utilized.  It all depends ...

Gene

Jan 31, 2019 08:30 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi  That makes sense. There are places where you don't have room for a complete sentence.

Jan 31, 2019 09:34 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Marte Cliff and thanks  for the wise advice to give to us.  We can all use the knowledge of people like you.  Thanks!

Feb 02, 2019 03:02 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Will Hamm Thank you. I'm but an observer and a student in the fascinating world of words - I simply share what I learn along the way.

Feb 02, 2019 03:47 PM
Jan Green
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Couldn't agree more.  That word is not specific and is too vague.  That kind of tag line is telling a consumer anything!

Feb 04, 2019 01:53 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Jan Green It promises nothing and at the same time promises too much.

Feb 04, 2019 02:42 PM

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