How to write things that busy people actually read

Recently, I listened to an interesting podcast in which Todd Rogers, a behavioral scientist and professor, gave some great insights into the art of good writing. Being one who often thinks about how to put thoughts down concisely and clearly, the principles Rogers presents are both profound and practical. Here is a summary of what seemed to be some keys that assist one in seeking further improvement in writing.

How to write things that busy people actually read (Todd Rogers)

1. Embrace the Power of Brevity

One of the first points that Todd made was in regard to the use of brevity in communication. As he said, “less is more” is not just a saying but a rule that really helped a lot in improving how our messages are received. I was really taken aback many times by long emails or reports, and Todd’s advice on less wordiness really hit home when I heard him. Because it means focusing only on the essential ideas and cutting the fluff out, that makes messages not just easier to read but more likely to get a response.

2. Make Reading Effortless

Our readers are extremely busy and distracted in today’s world, which moves so fast. Todd stressed that we need, at all costs, to help our writing become easy to digest. That means using short sentences and common words. I had realized sometimes subconsciously I use big words, maybe to increase my level of sophistication, but in reality, the message complicates it. I’m committed going ahead to make my language simple so as not to have readers struggle during the comprehension of my ideas.

3. Design for Navigation

Have you ever opened an email or a report that was quite long, and confusion just pervaded your soul? I really liked the principle of Todd in regard to designing for easy navigation. He suggested using headings, bullet points, and clear structure to guide readers through our writing. I started using this in personal emails and documents these days, and it lets the readers know precisely where the information they need might be. It has only been a small adjustment, but it has already turned out to make a significant difference in how my message is received.

4. Use Formatting Sparingly

Whereas I have always favored the use of bold and italics in order to draw attention to salient points, Todd advised me not to overuse it. He explained that while it is good to use formatting from time to time, too much eventually hurts the reader’s eye. I’ve taken this advice to heart, now applying formatting more judiciously. By highlighting only the most important information, I can draw my readers’ attention without creating visual chaos.

5. Focus on the Reader’s Perspective

Among the most meaningful things I ever learned from Todd was looking through the lens of the reader. More often than not, we become so focused on what we want to say that we forget to discuss what is of most interest to the audience. Todd once challenged us to frame our messages in light of the answer to the question, “Why should they care?” It is this kind of thinking that has motivated me to become more connected with my readers and link my writings with their needs and calls of interests.

6. Simplify Calls to Action

Lastly, to make it easier for our audience to respond, in communications very often I have asked more than one question, and the result of it is confusion, leading to no action being taken. And that, my friend, was advice from Todd to simplify calls to action, which really was a game-changer for me. Now, I had one clear request, making it easy for my audience to take action on the desired outcome.

In Conclusion

I must say, listening to Todd Rogers on this podcast has been a revelation. He provides great insight into how to write effectively, which has really changed how I think both about my own communication and how to think about my readers. By embracing brevity, simplifying language, designing for navigation, using formatting wisely, focusing on the reader’s perspective, and simplifying calls to action, I am confident that I can craft messages that are clearer, more engaging, and ultimately, more effective.