Ten hacks to improve your written communication.
1. The Time is Now
Write everything as if it is happening right now. Present tense gives your words urgency. Avoid past or future tense when possible.
2. Go All In
Never express doubt. Doubt makes the reader mistrust your message. Avoid the words “could, should, might, try, and hope” as they express uncertainty.
3. Just Say It
Get to the point. Address the reader as if they were standing in front of you. Avoid lengthy explanations or disclaimers as they distract from your message.
4. Visualize the Reader
Visualize the person who will read your words. Write at that person. Write only what they need to hear, not what you want to say.
5. Less is More
The more you write, the dumber you sound.
6. Lead the Reader
Dribble out information slowly. One idea per sentence. One point per paragraph. One topic per section.
7. Start Strong
You have about three sentences to capture a reader’s interest. Focus on writing a tantalizing introduction that makes the reader curious.
8. Declutter
Remove meaningless adjectives such as “very” or “basically.” These are clutter adjectives that communicate nothing.
9. Touch It
Make the subject of sentences a living or tangible thing whenever possible. Our minds are wired to more easily understand concrete things.
10. Bye By
Passive voice is difficult to read and makes you sound pompous. Scan your work for the word “by” and “flip the sentence,” change the object of the sentence to the subject.
Of all of these hacks, perhaps the most powerful is getting into the mind of your reader (or listener). If you want to communicate effectively, stop thinking about yourself and what you want to say. Think about what the reader needs to hear to understand you.
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