Monthly Archives: December 2009

In my last post, I addressed my obsession with simplifying and clearing the clutter in my home, my office and my relationships. Now I want to address the need for simplicity in communication, specifically writing. Here are a few examples:

Example 1:  I write direct mail copy/content and the end of the year is the time for non-profits to reach out to current and prospective donors. I’m always fascinated with the “non-profit speak” that creeps into the wording of even the simplest activities.

The bottom line is that if donors don’t understand your internal jargon, they won’t write a check or click the Donate button.

Simple Tip: When writing direct mail pieces, keep language simple and straightforward. Write in a friendly but professional tone that lets readers easily see the benefits of responding to your offer.

Example 2:  Jargon isn’t limited to non-profits. I recently helped a client update a few answers for general proposal questions. “Corporate speak” had crept into just about every answer they were submitting, so they asked me to clean things up a bit.

This client’s answers had evolved (a.k.a expanded) over time and had so much extraneous information that the response was buried. I simplified these answers dramatically in order to answer the question concisely and directly.

Simple Tip: You can improve your credibility with reviewers by reading each question carefully and responding specifically. “Padding” answers with extra information is distracting and may affect a reviewer’s perception of your company and its capabilities.

Example 3: Years ago, I was hired to revamp a client’s communication department. The organization’s newsletter had evolved into a time-consuming beast of convoluted topics. When I asked what the purpose of the newsletter was, no one could tell me.

Because things were busy, the newsletter didn’t go out and no one said a word. A second month, then a third went by and still, no comments or complaints.

The reality was that this publication may have originally had a strong readership but, because it lost its focus, it was no longer useful. Eliminating the newsletter ended up saving the client about $10,000 a year and freed up valuable employee time.

Simple Tip: December is a great month to evaluate and simplify your communications for 2010. Are your communication vehicles still hitting the mark, or have they lost the focus that made them so valuable in the first place?

Be clear, concise and focused in  your writing so your message will get heard. And write with this in mind:

My [newsletter, blog, email, memo, etc.] is not the only thing this person is reading. Keep it simple.

Have a refreshing and productive day!

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