Three Tips for More Effective Writing
It’s no secret that today’s consumers are turning to search engines to find solutions to their problems. If you happen to be able to solve one of them, you want them turning to you. Content is everywhere and for a business owner with an online presence, this makes for an extremely competitive market. In order to gain an edge in your industry, it’s increasingly important that your writing be effective. Fortunately, there are many little changes you can make in your writing that make a huge difference. Here are three tips.
1. We are the best.
Nobody likes a braggart, and truth be told, nobody is going to simply believe you when you tell them you are the best. You’ll just get lumped in the “you’re like everyone else” category and your potential customer will move on. Instead of telling, show people why you are a standout and let them decide. Start by being a trusted resource. Utilize your website, blog posts, and social media to create engaging, educational and relevant content. Talk freely of the experiences you’ve had in your industry that make you the best.
If you have statistics on why your product or service is better, utilize them. For example, if 70% of your customers state they got a better night’s sleep after using your sleep product, then share that stat.
Finally, don’t forget about awards you’ve won. Write about them on your website or blog about it in a non-braggadocious way. Before you know it, people will see for themselves how great you really are.
2. Our product is the Cheapest on the Market.
If you are looking for a fast way to de-value your product, then using the word “cheap” will do it in an instant. While your intention may be to emphasize the affordability of your product, you are instead evoking a feeling of inferior quality or worth. Think the party favor that your eight-year-old brought home from her BFF’s birthday party.
Instead, stay away from phrases or adjectives related to “cheap” and stick with using gentler more positive words, like affordable or cost-effective. Don’t forget your offering is valuable and that’s exactly how you want people to think of it.
3. Unremarkable clichés
Unremarkable clichés like “think outside the box” or “push the envelope” should be always be avoided. They’re over-used and unaffecting.
In his book On Writing Well, William Zinsser says, “…made-up words and clichés…have become so pervasive that a writer can hardly help using them. You must fight these phrases or you’ll sound like every hack.”
Instead spend the extra time to come up with unique content. Develop your own voice and use fresh descriptions your readers can relate to and powerful words that evoke an emotional response.
You’ll find that nothing improves your writing more than the act of writing itself, but these are a few suggestions to make your content more effective. Keep working at it and your extra efforts will build the kind of trust and respect from your audience that help you stand out among the rest.
