8 One Liners That Stick
One liners are the stuff of effective communicators and though we are seldom aware of it, each of us can use them to our advantage. The “art of delivery” is not just for a skilled politician who is running for reelection but can be mastered, over time, by just about anyone. A good one liner doesn’t click immediately but leaves its mark, silently accomplishing what the deliverer has in mind- results.
Sometimes these results are nothing more than memory. I want you to remember my car dealer and so I develop a tag line that accomplishes my aim. Other times, I want to build relationship with you and I use one liners to get to know you and follow up with you. My one liners are over the phone, in print material and in casual conversation. They are effective because they are used breathlessly.
The key of course is to figure out which one liner works best and when to use it.
What follow are some excellent one liners that, if delivered well, will make interactions memorable and help you get ahead.
- Susan, Susan Thompson. The repetition of your first name twice is very effective. This subtle repetition of one key name (and it might be your last name that you want folks to remember) plants it firmly in the mind of the person you are shaking hands with or speaking to on the phone.
- I’ve heard some great things about you. We all like to be famous, even if it’s fleeting or with a small group of people. Letting someone know that they’re liked by others is an important way of getting them to like you. They become instantly curious as if to say, “Can I have a list of those great things?”
- I’m looking forward to that. Following up a conversation is very important and one of the easiest one liners involves leading your audience towards a goal. If it’s a follow up lunch a week later, I’m looking forward to that. If it’s a negotiation before the end of the fiscal year, I’m looking forward to that. If it’s a family gathering at the beach, I’m looking forward to that. This simple one liner lets others know that you value relationships over routine acts.
- Leave your name and phone, speaking slowly enough for me to write it down. I’ve used this one in phone messages for years and while it sounds corny, it works. Most people think they’re driving in a Nascar event when they leave a voice message so you need to slow them down. This one liner does just that.
- I’m not sure about that but I think we can do this. The that-this dynamic is effective not only because it acknowledges the other’s perspective but it gives them something concrete and doable. For example, I run into parents who want to negotiate a deal for a son or daughter who is in some sort of difficulty. Rather than giving in to an unreasonable demand for complete amnesty for their child, I offer them something that is both attainable and concrete. I’m comfortable with it and they usually warm to the idea. Just because something isn’t a person’s first option doesn’t mean it’s a bad one.
- I think we have something in common. Nothing forms bonds better than something held in common. Food, geography, people, cars- whatever it takes to find a connection. Don’t go overboard with your follow up but let the other person know that you have something in common and it’s ok to briefly touch on it.
- Let’s strike while the iron is hot! Rather than a lukewarm offer to get together “at some point”, strike while the iron is hot and put it on the calendar today. Few things speak of productivity better than someone who can turn a wish into a workable situation.
- Let me see if I understand where you’re coming from. You may find yourself in the middle of a conversation, a debate or even a fight- slow things down with this great one liner. It works every time because it tells the other person that you care enough to report back what you’ve just heard.
George Bernard Shaw once said that “The problem with communication … is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” To be effective at home and at work, the use of one liners can get results, form deeper bonds and enable you to communicate on a higher level.
Mike St. Pierre blogs daily about productivity and work-life balance at www.thedailysaint.com
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Comments
Danielle says on July 19th, 2007 at 10:59 am
My favorite of these one liners is:
“Let me see if I understand where you’re coming from.”
It seems as though the way of brain is programmed during a conversation we are formulating our opinion in the midst of conversation and not after. Active listening skills are as important as effective communication skills. When the above mentioned line is used. It gives the speaker a moment to digest the message and say what they perceive to be the message which can be clarified if necessary by the other. It also shows an interest in understanding the message which is what is the ultimate goal.
Another of my favorite one liners is Would you like to take care of A or B? Both A and B need to be addressed so whatever the answer is leads to action and provides a sense of choice instead of order.
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John R says on July 19th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I completely disagree about “I’m looking forward to that” and “I’ve heard some great things about you”. If I hear those I would completely blow them off as an insult to my intelligence. Don’t stroke my ego, just get me results. If you’re looking forward to something, prove it by showing up prepared. I don’t care if you’ve heard good things about me – I’m more aware of my own strengths and weaknesses than you are.
William Profet :: OneJobTwoSalaries.com says on July 19th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Which one liner works best? It depends on the other part of the conversation. So, the conclusion is to know very well “the enemy” and be able to use different one liners for the different situations.
Miguel says on July 19th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
John R
You strike me as a nasty type personality.
Your problem seems to be confusing between self-esteem and arrogance.
No man is an island.
And yes, politeness pays, even if you think it’s a masturbatory exercise.
Mike Blaney says on July 19th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
I like using “perception is reality” when making a point about marketing.
DKong says on July 19th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Miguel- I agree with John R to a degree. “I’m looking forward to that” seems more like sucking up/being cheesy than being polite. Actions speak louder than words to me.
Though I think being told that people have heard good things about you is nice to hear.
One other thing, my name is Bond…James Bond.
Seriously, that’s the dumbest one on the list, in my opinion.
Rob says on July 19th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
You’re all right and you’re all wrong. No one answer fits all personality types. You need to read the person you’re dealing with, understand their personality type and apply these one liners where they fit.
JR Fent says on July 19th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I have to admit that as a Recruiter the line “I am looking forward to that” and “I’ve heard some great things about you” would make me feel a little cheesy. But I really agree with the “JR, JR Fent” line. I always lend up having to explain my first name anyway.
The other line that I really like is the “Leave your name and phone, speaking slowly enough for me to write it down.” People rip through their names and phone numbers all the time in voice mail and it is a huge issue. Personally, when I am leaving a voice mail – I always announce my name and phone number upfront – repeating the number twice. Then I leave a message and put it on the tail end again. So it will go like this:
——————————–
Hello. This is JR, JR Fent. My number is 888.832.2821. Again my number is 888.832.2821. I’m calling you regarding (short description here). Here’s my number again: it’s JR Fent at 888.832.2821.
——————————–
If 1/2 the people that leave me voice mails would do this – well let’s just say “I’m looking forward to that.”
JR Fent
Recruiter
jrfent@techprox.com
C Morison says on July 19th, 2007 at 7:33 pm
I think that all communication must be sincere for it to be effective. Don’t use one liners like, “I’m looking forward to that…” or I’ve heard great things about you…” if you’re not or you haven’t.
I think this article is meant to provide some ideas about how onliners can be used (when appropriate) to achieve communication goals more easily. It is important to make the one liner your own otherwise it may sound fake and unbelieveable.
DEC says on July 19th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
JR is exactly right about repeating your name and phone number when leaving a message. I do the same thing, always making sure to clearly pronounce my name and numbers. Several people have commented on how delighted they were that they didn’t have to replay the message a dozen time — just wish it would catch on.
Sensei says on July 20th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Try explaining the expression “Strike while the iron is hot” to a non-native English speaker. I have written a couple of examples at http://my.e-homework.info/blog/archives/190 to explain these and other interesting English expressions. Please feel free to comment and add your interesting One Liners.
Justine L says on July 20th, 2007 at 7:48 am
WOW – some of the commentary I have read here is angry. I believe that basically the point trying to be made is: Being Nice…It Matters.
It does. I am a straight-forward, shoot from the hip type of being and it took quite some time to realize that there are two types of “shooting” – one which is the WAKE UP and CHARGE – gathering the forces so to say and one which SHOOTS Em’ DEAD and makes others avoid you like the plague – no matter how wonderful you are. Yes, there is an amount of “baloney” in the work place BUT YOU have a choice and if you choose to be destructive everyone loses but if you choose to be “nice” and do it from a point of reality and in good heart then we all benefit…and that kind of is the point.
MBHayes says on July 20th, 2007 at 8:28 am
As CMorrison said… be “SINCERE” and “make it your own”.
Much like a good comedian feels out his audience — good timing and pace (listening) are a plus as well as having good lines to say per se.
BJColes says on July 20th, 2007 at 9:21 am
These are very nice ‘lines’ and with when used in context- can be very effective. As a business coach I often rely on this line to make a lasting impression for someone resisting an obvious process improvement, (and nagging my teenager :))…”How about we make the time to do it right, instead of the time to do it over?”
Have a great day every body.
Nancy Germond says on July 20th, 2007 at 11:03 am
I have the greatest line that stops people in their tracks when they’re badmouthing someone to me. I just wait until they finish or if it’s too trashy interrupt and say, “My, they say such nice things about you!”
A little off the topic, but it sure works.
Laura McHarrie says on July 20th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Nancy – I love your one-liner and will incorporate it into a list of my favourites. For me One-liners are more about telling a story in the shortest amount of time, so for example:
Life is like a box of chocolates (Forest)
Frustration is the flip side of passion.
I look like Kiss but without the make up! (Robbie)
Listen is an anagram of silent
I want to be as famous as Persil Automatic (Victoria)and also ….
It’s hard work being fabulous!
B Greenspan says on July 23rd, 2007 at 11:15 am
There are many important things to remember to say in certain situations and your post is a nice reminder. I would like to add a two word phrase, “Thank You.”
Madsdadus says on August 3rd, 2007 at 5:33 pm
I agree with B. Greenspan- thanking someone for their time and effort and even just for listening goes a long way. In that spirit, let’s add the word “please” to our conversations when asking for something.
TheChairman says on August 7th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I think some of you are taking these lines literally. Indeed, “strike while the iron is hot” may not be appropriate, but the gist is to modify the phrase for each situation or personality. e.g. “Let’s do this before someone else beats us to it.”
The key to effective communication (or any NLP psy-ops tactic) is understanding what motivates your target ‘audience’ to act.
Manager says on February 28th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
This appears to be a clash of the sexs… Evidently, this is how this female author would like a conversation to go…
I believe males prefer the more direct apporach, and don’t need their egos stroked as much, or at all… Basically, cut the crap, get to the point, and give me data that I can use.
CTZNKNE says on February 29th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
One one-liner that’s effective in person or in print is “Thank you”. We tend to forget that people also like to be thought generous in actions or in words.
Thanking them for having lunch with you,for picking up the bill, should be followed up with a Thank you note.
More than anything, it’s courtesy.
rheannon42 says on March 6th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
@Manager:
I would point out that a male wrote the article…might check a little more closely before making generalizations next time.
I would agree with the overall context here. Yes, some of the individual lines may or may not be appropriate in all contexts or for all people, but there are several studies out now that you get ahead based not only on your results, but on how likeable you are. Just food for thought.
Greg says on March 13th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Reading this from an international perspective, I have to say this all sounds pretty “American”. I’d feel uncomfortable using most of these. Indeed, outside of the rather idiosyncratic culture of the USA, these “one liners” would be perceived as cheesy and gimmicky platitudes at best; or worse yet, as sycophantic yearnings.
In my experience, in business as in all relationships, the key to successful communication is LISTENING. Only then can one effectively engage the hearts and minds of one’s audience.
SEALwife says on March 18th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
As a successful freight management salesperson, I found my MOST effective one-line to be: Is this an OK time for you?
I was VERY uncomfortable using it in the beginning, but once I mastered it I was NEVER turned away! It is NEVER going to be a GOOD time for anybody! Usually I was able to get 30 seconds of someone’s time, I respected that and had a 30 second pitch ready on why I WAS the best in the business.