Reader-first Writing
Want to upgrade communication prowess? Master succinct writing-a rare skill with guaranteed value by your audience. This type of communication deserves aggressive pursuit.
Research shows readers are more likely to complete and recall 32% more information from clear communication than difficult-to-read pieces. Research exposes the skill’s rarity. This level of writing is out of reach for more than 60% of government employees, business professionals, and college students.
Earning a spot in the top 30% is intentional practice.
What is Reader-first Writing?
Reader-first writing prioritizes the reader experience with a writer’s thoughts. It starts at the author’s intention, and persists through all contributions to produce a reader that values the time spent with their work. Strong writing is nurtured through practice, works to satisfy readers, and incites new thoughts.
Practice makes Progress
Like any valuable skill, clear communication through writing is cultivated through practice.
According to writing enthusiast William Zinsser, “writing is hard work”. New and experienced writers alike employ a writing cadence to develop style, rhythm, and concise habits.
Revision is powerful. It is the process of practicing that should never be neglected. When combined with mindfulness, revision helps words work harder, sentences become shorter, and messages become clearer. And while it should regularly occur, it must be limited to mitigate procrastination. Correction is infinitely available in editable work; take full advantage of its generosity.
Unlike spoken communication, there is time to think, revise, and reword before hitting the Send or Publish button.
Obsess your way to Clarity
“Writing is thinking. To write well is to think clearly. That’s why it’s so hard.” — David McCullough
Focus is powerful.
Clear writing is hard to produce because clear thinking is hard to maintain. To quote David McCullough, “to write well is to think clearly … that’s why it’s so hard”. Scattered thinking makes clear writing difficult, and increases the likelihood of reader-dismissal.
One hack to achieve clutter-free thinking is to produce in a clutter-free workspace. A growing body of research suggests that organized environments cultivate clear thinking habits. An Environment and Behavior study found that people who worked in organized workspaces were more likely to report feeling productive and less stressed than those who worked in cluttered spaces.
If we care about our readers, we will write in conditions that produce our best work.
Be Your Reader
Thoughtful writing conveys a clear message. In non-fiction writing, readers should feel they understand the author’s perspective based on their work alone.
Simplicity is powerful.
Speaking to someone for the first time can be tricky; but sometimes, real-time facial expressions may be used to check for understanding. Readers tend to move on from reading that looks lengthy, uses uncommon words, or fails to express the point early. Writing should start with the bottom line, and leave the reader with a provoking thought.
Different readers may be attracted to a reading in different ways; but all who embark should be afforded a journey that is as simple as possible.
Visualize reader outcomes.
Consumer feedback is an asset to buyer communities. According to a 2019 survey by PowerReviews, 88% of online websites incorporate user reviews to help speed up buying decisions. User satisfaction should be considered during the conception phase of writing. Questions for reflection are:
- Is my first sentence strong?
- How should the reader feel as they finish the work?
- Is my objective/call to action clear?
- What type of indirect marketing do I want my writing to receive?
Remember, quality publications demands your time. Give it all you’ve got!
GET IT DONE!
Hone the craft with endless practice! If you enjoy writing, you know the path to normalcy and satisfying readers demands focus, mindfulness, and a strong sense of self-awareness.
Clap if this work deserves it, or respond if this piece was valuable to you or caused you to think differently about your writing.
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