Jargon ruins your bio’s effectiveness.
In other words, if you write a bio, and no one but insiders in your industry can understand what you are saying, then this is not an effective bio.
Because an effective bio draws people in. And jargon drives folks away.
So if you accidentally put jargon into your bio when drafting, that’s fine. It’s no big deal. Happens to the best of us.
But edit the jargon out by the time you are done rewriting your bio and replace it with everyday language that anyone can understand.
And then your bio will do what it is supposed to do, which is communicate who you are and what you offer to people who do not know you yet.
Folks who are often guilty of this habit seem to be lifestyle coaches, tech industry folks, and spiritual/religious folks. To them I would simply say, do you want to be exclusive in your use of language or inviting?
If you are being exclusive, then you may be screening out folks who might otherwise be interested in you and what you do.
So don’t make your bio into a filter. That’s what jargon does and that’s not the point. Your bio should broadcast you and your strengths to the largest possibly audience, and pull in new leads.
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Why is making the bio a filter such a mistake?
If the bio uses the language of the audience you’re trying to reach, that’s all for the better. People from this audience will be attracted more easily, why other people discouraged, which is good.
I usually don’t want to attract anyone, only the right people.
Hi Charles,
Thanks for asking. I am sure many are wondering the same thing. The definition of jargon means the following according to dictionary.com:
noun
1.
the language, especially the vocabulary, peculiar to a particular trade, profession, or group:
medical jargon.
2.
unintelligible or meaningless talk or writing; gibberish.
3.
any talk or writing that one does not understand.
4.
pidgin.
5.
language that is characterized by uncommon or pretentious vocabulary and convoluted syntax and is often vague in meaning.
Cults and Orthodox religions typically use a lot of jargon in their communications as a method to confuse and control. So in one sense, make the meaning of jargon more sinister in your mind, since it can mean a way of speaking that purposely manipulates and controls.
A doctor speaking to a doctor, in the course of doing their rounds, would totally understand the medical jargon they both speak. However, if they were to use the medical jargon to try to confuse or intimidate a patient, then this would be a more sinister use of jargon.
So I guess when it comes to jargon, you want to ask yourself if you are aiming to communicate or to confuse. If you are aiming to truly communicate, then this is usually accomplished best without the use of jargon but through the use of everyday language instead.
If you are simply a person in an industry speaking to only others in that same industry, then ask yourself if this is going to ultimately a large enough reach for you.
If it is, go ahead and use the jargon, knowing you will only attract those who understand what you are saying.
If it isn’t, then ask yourself what you are really trying to say, and communicate the same message without the jargon.
For anyone trying to expand their reach, learning to communicate without jargon is usually worth it.
Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/jargon
Thank you for the clarification Christina 🙂 It definitely makes sense.
Thanks, Charles.