Repetition Is Not Boring; It's Branding

The other day I read a book about an editor who teaches others how to become word heroes. From one section of the book to the next he guides us through the painful stages of word apprentice, word novice, word artist, word wizard and yes there it is, Word Hero!

One of the empowering tools this author teaches us how to wield is word repeaters, i.e. when you want to get your point across you use the technical art of repetition.

The following is something many grew up reading.

I do not like them in a box. 

I do not like them with a fox. 

I do not like them in a house.

I do not like them with a mouse.

I do not like green eggs and ham.

I do not like them, Sam-I-Am.

It’s repetitious. It’s instilling in our mind the fact that the author has something worth saying and is making a point verbally or in written fashion.

Then yesterday I bought a beloved gem written by Ernest Vincent Wright, where the author never uses the letter “e.” Now more commonly known as the book that will never be an “e-book.” In this, he practices another intentional process of repetition. Every single page, every single word, every single descriptive wedding scene void of the letter “e.” (Did you notice my word repeater?)

In doing so both authors - Seuss and Wright - have done something remarkable. They have branded themselves amongst millions of other notable authors.

They have illustrated that repetition is not boring; it is branding. Repetition is intentional. It’s strategic. It’s consistency. Wait, you may be thinking. Doesn’t that sound like a habit? At one point and time, I thought so too. The difference between a habit and repetition:

Habit becomes a form of addiction: It’s controlling. It’s often born from our subconscious. Habits form us whereas we form repetitions…

I’m looking forward to receiving my new book, and I’m anticipating an exciting read because I’ve learned as an aspiring Word Hero that word repeaters – repetition- builds trust.

• The more you reiterate one point and stand by that point of positivity, the more likely people will choose you.

• The more you stick by your designated color palette, the more people will recognize you by your true colors.

• The more you live your life motto and mission statement, the more people will join you alongside your mission.

Because the more you do things intentionally it is repetition, and repetition is not boring; it’s branding.