Using Gendered vs Inclusive Language in Social Media
Inclusivity audit for the heart-centered and socially responsible small business owner
🚩 “Did HE finally propose?”
🚩 “Brides, it’s time to start planning your wedding!”
🚩 “Future Mrs + Mr reach out to us!”
Gendered social posts are OUT - especially in the wedding industry. They’ve been out 🥴
Since Christmas Day, New Years Eve and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’ve seen all sorts of variations of this verbiage on fellow wedding vendors social media. It’s outdated, and unwelcoming.
Your small business is, without a doubt, missing out on clients who aren’t feeling seen / supported / validated / included by you. It may not feel like you’re intentionally setting out to do that, but the fact of the matter is, your words are LOUD.
If you’d like to make easy, inclusive changes to your business, make 2022 the year. It genuinely will not disrupt your way of doing things. Commit to it. Be about it. Do better.
Inclusion reigns supreme ✨
Here are some changes you can make TODAY:
Add your personal pronouns to your social channels
Ask for their preferred name and pronouns on your inquiry forms, and use them
Avoid generalizing / assuming the identities of your clientele ie. Brides, Girls, Ladies
Resource Links
WHAT IS GENDER-INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE AND WHY DOES IT MATTER? MAY 29, 2020 By: Christine Mallinson and J. Inscoe, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
“Guideline for Inclusive Language“ from Linguistic Society of America