Use concrete language to boost customer spending
Sales & Marketing

Use concrete language to boost customer spending

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Ever feel like your customer support team is saying a lot but not really saying anything? Turns out, how you phrase something matters as much as what you say.

Specific beats vague every time

Here’s the quick fix: Train your team to swap vague phrases like “Let me check on that” with concrete ones like “I’ll find out if that sweater comes in medium.”

Sounds simple, right? But research backs this up: Firms using concrete language saw customer satisfaction jump 9% and customer spending climb by a cool 13%. That’s not just a win—it’s a touchdown.

Why it works 🤔

Using clear, specific language makes customers feel like you’re paying attention. And when people feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to stick around (and spend more). It’s human nature.

Think about it. Would you rather hear:

  1. “Let me see if we can upgrade your subscription”
  2. “I’ll check if upgrading to Pro is available for you”

The second one hits differently, right? It feels personal, like you’ve got their back.

Where to use it ✅

The beauty of this tip is it works everywhere your team talks to customers:

  • Live chat: Swap “We’ll look into it” for “We’ll find the delivery date for your order.”
  • In-person: Skip “I’ll check on that” and go with “I’ll see if the black shoes are in stock.”
  • Email: Replace “I’ll review your request” with “I’ll confirm if this fits your warranty.

What to watch out for ⚠️

This trick only works in back-and-forth interactions. So it’s perfect for chats, calls, or emails but won’t have the same punch in one-way communication like ads or your FAQ page.

Also, don’t overdo it. Being clear doesn’t mean overloading with details no one asked for. Keep it relevant and focused.

How to make it happen 🎯

Here’s how you can roll this out today:

  1. Train your team: Share examples of vague vs. specific phrasing. Role-play common scenarios so they can practice.
  2. Audit your scripts: Look at canned responses or call center scripts. Spot vague phrases and tighten them up.
  3. Monitor and tweak: Collect customer feedback to see if satisfaction scores rise. If they’re loving it, you’re on the right track.

A little effort goes a long way. Train your team to talk like they mean it, and watch your customers respond with loyalty and cash.

Simple tweaks, big wins. Go crush it this week!

Want to learn more? 🤓

If you want to learn more about this topic, you can dig into the nerdy details in the original marketing study.

Quote of the week 💬

“Say what you mean, and customers will mean what they say—with their wallets.”

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About the author
Gabriel Mays, the Co-Founder and CEO of POPSMASH
Gabriel A. Mays
Gabriel Mays' Website
Co-Founder & CEO at POPSMASH
Before POPSMASH, Gabe was a Director at GoDaddy and founded two startups. He was also a Marine Corps Captain, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He lives with his wife and two kids on Cape Cod, MA.

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