For many, the process of writing is very difficult if not outright impossible. Some rank it just below public speaking as one of their great fears in life - often above the fear of death.
A great deal of that anxiety comes from the suspicion that they will look foolish or stupid. That’s easy to understand. Speaking in public or putting your ideas out before them exposes you to close and critical examination. It takes a special kind of courage to overcome these fears and take the stage or put pen to paper.
If you want to write and publish in your own name and be proud of what you’ve done, I can offer a relatively simple tip - deceptively simple one: pick an individual you know and understand and write directly to them.
When you write or communicate with an individual, you will find that you are looser, more personal and direct, and less likely to stray into things that might insult or annoy your audience. If you write as if you’re writing to that individual, you’ll shape your argument to their understanding and anticipate their arguments and objections.
The deceptive part is that you know and understand the individual who represents the audience you wish to write to. Pretty much anyone you know can serve this purpose. Address them simply and plainly in your writing, avoiding overly flowery, jargon-filled, or complex language. You’re not there to impress them with your skill as a writer, but to illuminate or convince or simply communicate. And once you’ve finished, read your work as if you were that person. Have you made your argument? What are you missing? What is confusing or unsupported? How could you better relay your ideas and message?
Once you’ve completed a draft in this manner, you can review and generalize or rework for a general audience, but I often find that this is not necessary. When I write for clients, I use a similar approach, but the person I’m writing to in that case is my own model of their best prospect or client. The better I can define that model, the more effectively I can write for them. When my client can introduce me to someone and say, “here’s who I want to interest/entertain/educate,” it becomes much easier for me to write.
When you find your written communications aren’t working, consider this advice and try again with someone specific in mind. Then send it to them and consider their reaction and comments. If you can reach them, you will probably also be able to reach a broader audience. Yes, this is work, but writing and communicating is work. Connecting, communicating, is well worth the effort.
Who do you write for?
Thanks to my editor, Penny, who is the person I frequently use as my ideal reader, for suggesting this post topic.
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Brilliant advice given, taken and employed. Communication through visuals is also best achieved when designed to appeal to a targeted audience.
You nailed it, Mari. Any form of communication works best when it’s targeted, focused. When you can think of an individual that you know well that represents that audience, it’s much easier to plan and execute your design/writing/any other form of communication.
Thanks,
Randy
I too believe in communication to a targeted audience, whether it’s a single person or several. I believe writing helps public speaking. It is the best way I know to organize thoughts in a logical manner.
Your usual excellent post Randy.
Thanks, Hal!
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