If you want to connect deeply with customers, you need to sound like them. That’s why Customer Retention Strategy Number 9: Speak Their Language matters so much.
Why Language Builds Loyalty
Customers don’t want you to sound smarter than them. They don’t want jargon or complicated words. They want to feel like you get them. When you speak their language, you build trust. When you don’t, you create distance.
The Slowjamastan Example
In Slowjamastan, we may have our satirical Slowjamastani accent, but we always meet people in their language. We don’t try to impress with big words or corporate speak. We talk like them, because that’s what creates belonging.
Citizens laugh, smile, and lean in because they know we understand them. It’s never about us sounding superior—it’s about us sounding familiar. That’s what brings people closer.
How Trivia Connects
The same principle applies to my trivia shows. I never use complicated language or insider terms. Trivia should feel fun and approachable, not like a college exam.
When I call out team names, crack jokes, or talk about everyday life, the players know I’m one of them. Sometimes I even dress like them, just to reinforce that sense of belonging. I’m not saying you need to copy your customers’ style, but you do need to make them feel seen.
Lessons From Radio
Back in my radio days, this rule was non-negotiable. On a hip hop station, I spoke the way my listeners did: “Yo, Dogg, what’s going down?” That wasn’t an act—it was connecting on their level.
But when I worked on a country station, I didn’t bring that same tone. Instead, I connected with the country listener in a way that felt natural to them. This shift was a huge part of why my shows drew strong ratings and sold more advertising. I wasn’t pretending—I was respecting the language of the audience.
Why It Works
Language creates comfort. When people hear words and tones that feel familiar, they relax. They open up. They buy more. They come back.
Businesses that fail to adapt their language sound stiff and unrelatable. Businesses that adjust their voice to match their customers create instant connection.
Takeaway: Speak Like Your Customers
Customer Retention Strategy Number 9 is about more than just words. It’s about acting in a way that makes customers feel like you understand them. In Slowjamastan, trivia, and even radio, this strategy has always created loyalty.
Your business must do the same. Speak like your customers. Act like your customers. And above all, respect their world. That’s how you create connection that lasts a lifetime.
Ready to Keep Customers for Life?
I help companies keep customers for life by teaching strategies that build connection, loyalty, and trust. Whether it’s through trivia, speaking, or proven retention tactics, I’ll show you how to build relationships that stick.
👉 Let’s talk about your next event.
