
You Might Be Confusing Your Audience
Jan 29, 2025Have you ever been scrolling through social media, reading a business post, and suddenly felt like you were trying to crack a secret code? Maybe you’ve seen something like, “Don’t forget to optimize your SEO strategy and include a strong CTA for better ROI!”
Uh… what?
If you’ve ever felt lost in a sea of acronyms and jargon, you’re not alone. And if you’re the one using these terms without explaining them, your audience might be feeling the same way.
So today, let’s talk about one of the biggest culprits that we use often (and the reason we wrote this blog): the CTA.
What the Heck is a CTA?
CTA stands for Call to Action. Basically, it’s the part of your post, email, or website that tells people what to do next. Do you want them to buy something? Sign up for your newsletter? Click a link? Comment below? That’s your CTA!
Think of it like a friendly little nudge, guiding your audience toward their next step. Without one, they might just read your content, nod along, and move on with their day—without taking the action you actually wanted them to take.
Here are a few examples of CTAs in action:
✅ “Click the link to shop now!”
✅ “Comment below with your biggest struggle!”
✅ “Sign up for our free guide and get started today!”
Simple, right? But here’s the real reason we’re talking about CTAs today…
Are You Speaking a Foreign Language to Your Customers?
Let’s be honest—every industry has its own language. If you’re a social media manager, “CTA” rolls off the tongue naturally. If you’re a web designer, you might casually drop terms like UX, HTML, or wireframing. And if you’re in finance? Well, let’s just say acronyms like APR and ROI are your best friends.
The problem? Most of your audience doesn’t speak your language.
What feels second nature to you might be completely foreign to them. And when people don’t understand something, they tend to do one of two things:
- Tune out completely (aka, scroll right past your content).
- Feel too embarrassed to ask for clarification (because no one wants to admit they don’t know what something means).
Neither of those reactions helps you grow your business.
How to Stop Confusing Your Audience
The next time you’re writing a post, email, or even chatting with a potential client, do a quick jargon check.
1. Pretend You’re Explaining It to a 5th Grader
Okay, maybe not literally a 5th grader, but imagine you’re talking to someone completely unfamiliar with your industry. Would they immediately understand what you mean? If not, rework it.
Instead of:
🚫 “Boost your SEO with long-tail keywords for better SERP ranking.”
Try:
✅ “Want to show up higher on Google? Use specific phrases people actually search for—like ‘best coffee shop in Atlanta’ instead of just ‘coffee shop.’”
2. Spell It Out First
If you must use industry terms, define them first. Don’t assume everyone knows what a CTA, CRM, or KPI is. (See what I did there?)
Example:
"A CTA (Call to Action) is a sentence that tells your audience exactly what to do next—like ‘click the link below!’”
Boom! Now they know what it means, and you haven’t lost them in a sea of letters.
3. Keep It Simple and Conversational
You’re not writing a college thesis, you’re talking to real people. Make your content easy to read, light, and engaging. Short sentences, simple words, and a natural tone work wonders.
Think of it like this: If your audience can read your post while juggling a toddler, sipping coffee, and half-listening to a podcast in the background… you’ve nailed it.
The Bottom Line? Keep It Clear & Fun!
Your job as a business owner isn’t just to share information—it’s to make sure people understand it. And that starts with simplifying your language.
So before you hit “post” or “send,” ask yourself:
👉 Would someone outside my industry immediately understand this?
👉 Am I using words that my ideal customer actually uses in everyday life?
👉 Is my CTA clear and easy to follow?
If the answer is yes, you’re golden. If not? Time for a little tweaking.
And speaking of CTAs (see what I did there?), here’s yours: What’s one industry term you use all the time that might be confusing to your audience? Head over to our Facebook group and let’s demystify the jargon together!
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