Why You Shouldn't Write Like A Professional
Overview
No, I don't mean write like a 5-year-old!
I mean don’t write professional just for the sake of looking professional!
There are a lot of bloggers, content creators and even copywriters that make this same mistake. It’s not that writing like a professional is right but it’s bound to have its own problem
In this article, you’ll learn why you shouldn’t write like a professional and how to write in a more effective way instead!
The Problem With Acting Professional
You’re probably familiar with the name Warren Buffet. You know the man right? Most successful investor and the fourth wealthiest person on the planet? Of course, you do!
Did you also know that he was an award-winning copywriter? I bet not.
He once shared his secret on why he writes so well, the answer is quite simple. Actually, it’s so simple, you’d immediately say “That’s Obvious!”.
I’m not going tell you directly what the secret is but I’m going to write down what he said here in this quote:
When I'm writing, I pretend that I’m talking to my sister. I just begin with ‘Dear Doris’
— Warren BuffetDid you get it?
His secret was that he writes his content down as if he’s talking to his sister (or in this case, to a friend).
But why do this? Isn’t that a bit informal? Don’t you have to show your expertise in the field?
Yes, you have to, but you have to do it in the right way. If not, you’re going to get risks that should’ve been easily avoided if you just write as if you’re talking to a friend.
The Risk Of Writing Too Smart
If you go in pretending like you’re an expert at something. You’re bound to do these things:
- Using excessive fancy words/jargon (I’ve written a whole article here)
- Being indirect/using corporate throat clearing
- Being too serious/corporate
Now there’s nothing wrong with all of the above but each action you do causes its own problem
Using Excessive Jargon
Using terms in your field to communicate with your other fellow colleague is a good thing but using excessive jargon to your readers is a big no-no.
The reason is that you’re alienating your readers. They don’t understand what those big fancy words mean such as terms that are scientific.
We’re not rocket science/doctors, we’re normal human beings with normal jobs. Speak our language!
I’ve written a whole article here if you’re interested to learn more about this
Corporate Throat Clearing
Now, what is corporate throat clearing? It’s the thing you usually skip at the beginning of your boss’s letter.
Words such as “I’m hereby ordered to tell you…” or “With the recent…” is going to be perceived as unnecessary by your readers.
A smart writer would immediately tell what’s their problem, what should they do in an instant. They don’t have to prepare the readers for bad news, they immediately tell it!
Being Too Serious/Corporate
Being too serious/corporate will just come out looking like you’re not a genuine person. You’re not trustworthy to them.
You’re also boring if you’re too serious. Nobody wants to read a whole page filled with boring jargon and corporate seriousness, write in a joke or two.
Write as if you’re talking to a friend of yours that just so happens to be working with you!
How To Fix It
Simple. Write as if you’re talking to a friend. It’s that easy!
But that would be informal?
No, don’t really think like they’re your close friend. Think of them like a close business partner you haven’t met in years. It’s fun to catch up but first, you and your friend got business to do! Think of writing it that way.
Avoid excessive jargon at all costs, if you do have to write it. Write it with a little explanation or even better, use simple words.
Be clear and precise, you don’t want to waste the readers time. You want to write with an impact so that the reader understands clearly what you’re trying to say.
Don’t Be Boring, just don’t. Be conversational but don’t be too informal or you’ll be perceived as a joke.
Conclusion
There’s nothing wrong in being professional, but being too professional will cost you a lot more than you expect.
Don’t ever assume all your readers are going to understand your words, so you have to speak their language by writing to them as if you’re their friend.
Keep your message short, fun and simple.
If you're interested in more article like this, I'll leave you a link right here:
