--- title: "Power Words: Add More Authority to Your Phrasings" id: "24110" type: "post" slug: "power-words-add-more-authority-to-your-phrasings" published_at: "2014-07-17T15:36:32+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T12:20:54+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/07/17/power-words-add-more-authority-to-your-phrasings/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2014/07/17/power-words-add-more-authority-to-your-phrasings.md" excerpt: "A few shining examples of words that can add more authority to the messages you write. Also: musical advice from a man who knows a thing or two about word crimes." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Aspiring Leader" - "AssociationsNow" - "Leadership" - "Marketing" - "Mid-Level Professional" - "power words" - "Writing" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "C-Level" - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Power Words: Add More Authority to Your Phrasings **Words not *sharp* enough?** Finding your phrasing isn’t as *relevant* as you’d like it to be? If so, be sure to check out [this great list by Inc.com contributing editor John Brandon (opens in a new tab)](http://www.inc.com/john-brandon/punch-up-your-prose-with-these-10-power-words.html) , who highlights 10 power words *known* to make even the most boring documents feel a bit more *invigorated* with life. It won’t happen *instantly*, but there are plenty of *shining* examples of how to get going. “Remember there is a living, breathing, thinking person on the other end of that e-mail! Spice things up and see the results,” Brandon writes. Who knows? You might become a *fervent* supporter of power words—and your employees might become more *responsive* as a result. We were so impressed that I *renewed* my vow to be a better writer and used all 10 power words *immediately*. Bet you didn’t even notice. ### Work Never Finished > Did you know the discipline of good writing is a lot like the process of good marketing? [http://t.co/Qgj0WcrpnA (opens in a new tab)](http://t.co/Qgj0WcrpnA) > [#AssnChat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AssnChat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#AssnProfs (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AssnProfs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#MASAE (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MASAE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Amanda Lea Kaiser (@AmandaLeaKaiser) [July 16, 2014 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/AmandaLeaKaiser/status/489478347328856065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Speaking of writing,** Amanda Kaiser has a bit of the writer’s mindset on her mind with her latest piece [on her Smooth the Path blog (opens in a new tab)](http://www.smooththepath.net/2014/07/16/marketing-rough-draft/) , which points out that good marketing approaches require the same kind of consistent editing and cleanup that many writers do. (Even I could use an edit.) “Marketing is a work in progress, it’s never done and you can always make it better,” she explains. “There are always new ways to strengthen the brand. There is room to tell a better story. There are methods to get closer to your customers.” Often, the simplest words are the most powerful. But those words may not appear the first time around. So always keep sanding them down. *(ht @[SmoothThePath (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/SmoothThePath/) )* ### Other Links of Note **If you’ve been** sitting under a rock, you haven’t heard that master pop parodist [Weird Al Yankovic (opens in a new tab)](http://www.weirdal.com/) has been releasing a ton of music videos this week, including the Robin Thicke parody “Word Crimes.” [Business 2 Community notes (opens in a new tab)](http://www.business2community.com/content-marketing/weird-als-word-crimes-demonstrates-importance-grammar-proofreading-content-marketing-0945557#!bgdQUm) that the song’s grammar-laden message has a lot of relevance for content marketers. We’ll go a step further: It’s funny as heck. **“You can’t help but be impressed with a peacock’s tail.** The long tail feathers and vibrant colors are magnificent to behold. However, this beautiful display comes at a high price.” Somehow, *Event Manager Blog* manages to compare a peacock’s tail to event planning. [Try not to be impressed (opens in a new tab)](http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/peacock-tail) . **Pinterest has a lot more uses** than just as a tool for sharing images. [LifeHacker breaks down its benefits (opens in a new tab)](http://lifehacker.com/not-just-for-arts-and-crafts-how-to-use-pinterest-prod-1605986102) as a productivity tool. (iStock/Thinkstock) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#Aspiring Leader](https://associationsnow.com/tag/aspiring-leader/) [#Leadership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/leadership/) [#Marketing](https://associationsnow.com/tag/marketing/) [#Mid-Level Professional](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mid-level-professional/) [#power words](https://associationsnow.com/tag/power-words/) [#Writing](https://associationsnow.com/tag/writing/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoThe Adaptive Leader: Integrating Values and Strategy to Thrive Under New LeadershipDecember 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/15/the-adaptive-leader-integrating-values-and-strategy-to-thrive-under-new-leadership/) - [VideoTerin Bates, MBA, CAE, CX-PRO, Shares Her Experience at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/18/terin-bates-mba-cae-cx-pro-shares-her-experience-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [VideoASAE’s The ExchangeApril 24, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/24/asaes-the-exchange/) - [VideoThe Graham Report: How to Land a CEO JobJanuary 31, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/01/31/the-graham-report-how-to-land-a-ceo-job/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2014%2F07%2F17%2Fpower-words-add-more-authority-to-your-phrasings%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !