Wiggle Words – Use Them Wisely

• Draft
• Interim
• Current Version
• High-Level
• Rough
• Illustrative
• Mock-up
• Prototype
• Simulation
• Rough Draft
• Possible
• Top-line
• Peek
• Early Look
• Preview
• Highlights
• Working Draft
• Summary
• Advanced Copy
• Potential

These are all “wiggle words.”

They’re words which get used when what you’re supposed to have delivered isn’t quite there yet. That may be intentional, i.e. you really are providing an early peek in advance of a deadline, or it may mean you’ve fallen short of the agreed to timing or content expectations.

In either case, “wiggle words” can be very powerful, creating important positive or negative results. It’s all in how you use them strategically relative to the expectations you’re facing. So be smart, and be careful. And use wiggle words prudently.

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Mike Brown is an award-winning innovator in strategy, communications, and experience marketing. He authors the Brainzooming^TM blog, and serves as the company’s chief Catalyst. He wrote the ebook “Taking the NO Out of InNOvation” and is a frequent keynote presenter.