There’s an old saying based on the concept of K.I.S.S. I’m sure you’ve heard it:
Keep It Simple Stupid
It’s a way to remind yourself that no matter how much you put into something, no matter how much detail you choose to add, often times the best thing you can do it K.I.S.S.
Good advice.
And yet it’s so easy to forget it.
When we speak, we speak from our perspective and assume our listener has the same background and knowledge base we have.
When we write, create blog posts, or add content to our websites, we write based on what we know, not on what our readers truly want to hear. Or what they are truly interested in.
Its difficult – as a writer, I’d be the first to agree. But if you are stuck creating content, looking for a way to add personality to your blog posts, or are trying to build up a story that makes your potential customers fall in love with you, you can’t write from your perspective. You have to give your readers something to grasp onto, fall in love with, and hold onto as they buy from you again and again and again.
Looking for ways to make your content more appealing?
When you communicate with your audience, always remember it is your job to make whatever you have to say interesting. It’s not their job to figure out what you have to say; it’s up to you to make them want more.
I can provide you with pages of statistics, and for some people, they love it. But far more people will love a great story rather than read through a page of statistics. Which do you prefer?
38 percent of women fail at growing a small business because they don’t have female role models to follow.
Versus
Karen tried hard to follow the advice of the male mentor she had paid to study under. But he just didn’t understand why she couldn’t work on her business until midnight. Did she really need to go to soccer practice, bake cupcakes for the bake sale and pick up a birthday present for the party the next day? All her mentor did was make her feel worse about her situation; it was easier to give up her dreams of being an entrepreneur and head back into the 9 to 5 world.
Use transitions throughout your conversations that help your audience see into the future. “Fast forward two years, and …” is a great way to let your audience see what happened over time by implementing what you have to offer.
Use sensory words to build the picture. I could almost smell the homemade chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. Hearing sleigh bells move in from far away made me think back to my childhood. It gave me the feeling of overwhelming happiness. No matter how you use the ‘see, hear, smell, feel and taste’ concepts, it invokes instant memories.
Short sentences immediately capture the eye and make people want to find out what you have to say. I used it above with my phrases Keep It Simple Stupid and Good advice. Made ya want to read more, right?
Quotes can be used whenever you are looking for a powerful punch to add to what you have to say. You don’t have to use an entire quote, choose to use the phrases or sentences that add to what you are delivering. Make sure you credit the person who said it, and even reference it with a link if necessary.
“You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone’s soul,
becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them
and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift.”
~Erin Morgenstern