Mastering Brevity: Key Takeaways from 'Writing for Busy Readers'

Version #1

This week, I turned the pages of "Writing for Busy Readers" by Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink, a 'quick' read that lives up to its name. The book focuses on crafting messages that are visually appealing, concise, and packed with value.

Rogers and Lasky-Fink lay out six key principles:

1. embracing brevity,

2. simplifying reading,

3. designing for easy navigation,

4. using just enough formatting,

5. highlighting the reader's benefits, and

6. simplifying responses.

In our professional lives, being clear yet brief in our communication is often a challenge. I've struggled with being too verbose, particularly in emails – starting with "just a quick message..." and ending up with a lengthy three paragraphs.

This book not only offers practical solutions but also indirectly emphasizes the need for revisions and re-writing. It's easy to whip up an email and hit send without a second thought, but the real value lies in taking the time to revise and align our messages with the six principles.

Are we ready to build a habit of rewriting and revising with these principles in mind?

Try it out and observe if it enhances the effectiveness of your communication. I'm on this journey too, and I'd love to hear about your experiences.

#WritingForBusyReaders #EffectiveCommunication #ProfessionalGrowth #BrevityInWriting

If you made it this far, here is my attempt at being even more brief.....

Version #2

Dove into "Writing for Busy Readers" by Todd Rogers and Jessica Lasky-Fink – a guide on concise, impactful communication.

It teaches six principles:

1. be brief,

2. simplify,

3. guide the reader,

4. format wisely,

5. show relevance, and

6. ease responses.

Personally, I've battled with long emails, often starting brief but ending long-winded. This book is a reminder to revise and align our messages with these principles.

Let's challenge ourselves: can revising with these principles in mind improve our communication?

#ConciseCommunication #ProfessionalDevelopment #WritingTips