What reading-level statistic is cited?

Name: Speak your audience's language
Uploaded: 2023-01-26T15:00:03+00:00
Duration: 40 s
Channel: Peter Vander Wall
Description: Short advice video by Peter Vander Wall ("Speak your audience's language"). The speaker cites a statistic—"over half of Americans read at less than a…

Peter Vander WallFounder driving creative community growth

Speak your audience's language

26 Jan 2023 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:40

Short advice video by Peter Vander Wall ("Speak your audience's language"). The speaker cites a statistic—"over half of Americans read at less than a sixth grade level"—and uses it to argue that businesses should use clear, simple language when creating content or selling, tailoring messages to their audience so customers understand the value offered and buying becomes more likely.

Questions this video answers

Over half of Americans read at less than a sixth grade level.

Chapters

This is a statistic you need to know as a business owner. Over half of Americans read at less than a sixth grade level. Okay, that's really sad and disappointing, but what does it have to do with business? If you're creating content, if you're marketing or selling something to an audience, then using overly complicated language is going to drive people away. If they can't clearly understand the value you provide, why would they pay you money? So when you're creating videos for social media, or even just speaking face to face with your clients, you need to speak their language. Don't treat them like they're dumb, but take a minute to understand where they're coming from and then tailor your message to that. If you can do this, the time that you spend selling is going to become 10 times more effective because people are going to actually understand how you make their life better.