Can Wordle Help?

I took a break Friday morning to do the Wordle of the day. I got this far and found myself wondering if the marketers that were struggling with having good conversations with prospects could learn anything by playing Wordle. I know. 'Friday. He's already checked out'.

So, the premise is that you have to guess what the 5 letter word of the day is.

No clues. No definitions. A random word. You get 6 guesses and after you guess, you'll see green letters where you've put the right letter in the right spot. You'll see yellow if the letter is in the puzzle, but you have it in the wrong spot and the black letters do not belong in this puzzle. Simple!

So, how do you start? Pick a 5 letter word. Some people are secretive about their 'start word'. Wheel of Fortune gives you R, S, T, L, N, E as your start letters in their bonus round. I used to use RENTS as my start word. So, here's the first question for marketers.

Do you start every conversation the same way? Why? Because everybody's the same?

My only rule for a start word is that it needs to have 5 different letters and my second word keeps green letters where they are, moves yellow to a different spot and replaces the black with new.

First two suggestions for marketers.

Use different 'start words' with your prospects, and base the words on something that they've already shown you. Reference one of the findings in their survey, an answer in their form, the person that put you together or anything that will get a response, any response.

When you get a response, pay attention to the green, yellow and black. They are clues. Ask about the yellows. What do you mean by....? Blacks are done. They are not in TODAY's puzzle. Greens are there, but get the whole picture.

So, notice the puzzle above. Think. "I" is in the right spot. 4 new letters. "T" belongs.

Could "T" be the second letter? "Stick"? no c no k. "Stiff" S & T in the wrong places. OK. S & T belong at the end. "Moist". Nailed it. "ITS" at the end.

How many of you were thinking "GAITS"?

So, if you want to have good conversations that people want to have with you,

1. Ask a start question that is related to something that they have already shown an interest in.
2. Pay attention to the yellows and greens and ask a question that includes the yellow.
3. Repeat until they ask, "You seem to understand. Can you help me?"