7 Ways to Turn Readers Into Friends


Back in my school days, if the teacher demanded a term paper I knew just what to do. I quickly researched the report, and wrote it as fast as I could.

Next, I reached for a thesaurus and looked up complicated, multi-syllable synonyms for my easy words. This turned my paper into a complex, obtuse mess.

That was wrong, wrong, wrong! Once I started to write for a living, I quickly discovered that if readers don't understand something, they simply quit reading!

So how can you make your writing less formal, more personal, and turn readers into interested friends? Here are some ideas I've stumbled across:

1. Think about a specific reader when you write. I usually picture a family member. This tends to make my writing less formal.

2. Ask a question. Example: "Do you ever get bored reading a long, complicated report?"

3. Propose a solution. Example: "Here's a way to alleviate afternoon boredom."

4. Present new evidence: Example: "My brother - a historian - claims he's discovered three new traits about medieval knights."

5. Offer free advice. Example: "I've found a new way to write research papers."

6. Share a shortcut. Example: "Here's a timesaving method to exercise better and more efficiently."

7. Tell how or why you started a project. Example: "I started this company with one goal: to help people find the job best suited for them."

Rix Quinn wrote the book of writing tips "Words That Stick." It's available at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580085768/qid/

For more information on his frequent phone seminars, e-mail him at mailto:rixquinn@charter.net

MORE RESOURCES:
RELATED ARTICLES
Write Possibilities
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time.
Publication Road
The journey to having my first novel for children published has been riddled with road blocks and shonky bridges. The good news? At every rickety stage I've picked up tips (and anti-tips) which I'm happy to share with everyone.
7 Weapons to Conquer the Giant Procrastination Keeping You from Your Book Dream
Have you been guilty of procrastinating on your book project, lately? Like the author, many writers get hung up with wrong thinking about writing and completing their books. They feel like a loser because they have stopped and started countless of times over the years.
How To Write for the Web
The Scanning ReaderWriting for the Web is different than writing for print. The differences are slight but significant.
Baby Boomers and Booklets - Share and Share Alike
As one of those fabulous Baby Boomers, you now own a lifetime of valuable experiences, experiences that are useful to other people. You've given so much to your family all these years.
Starting a Freelance Writing Career (or Thoughts About Taking the Plunge)
Nike's ad has taken on new meaning for me of late; "Just do it!" runs through my mind like a mantra. Although my dreams have nothing to do with athletic shoes and little to do with athletics (unless you count the long list of ideas I have developed which revolve around my sons and their activities), I have spent a long time avoiding the one thing I've always wanted to do - write.
Creative Writing
Do you consider yourself a storyteller? Do you consider yourself a writer? Were you always the student in school that the teacher chose to read your creative writing out loud to the rest of the class? Believe it or not these skills can land you a very good job in Washington D.C.
Why Every Freelance Writer Needs A Website
What do you mean, you don't have a website yet? Websites these days aren't just for businesses and people who want to share their obsession with Buffy the Vampire Slayer with the world. These days, websites are one of the most important tools for writers.
How To Write Thank You Letters With Class
When I first started tracking the information preferences of people visiting my Writing Help Central Web site I was surprised to find how many folks were seeking information on how to write thank you letters. In fact, "thank you letter" information and sample templates are the third ranked destinations at that Web site.
Writing With Power: 5 Snappy Rules For Success
Almost everyone could profit from enhancing their writing skills. From writing more crisp meta-tags - which search engine bots find quite sexy - to turbo-charging your blog readership by writing with punch, a skilled pen can propel any online effort in the right direction.
6 Ways to Jump-Start Your Writing Day
1. PLAY A GAME LIKE SOLITAIRE.
Knock-Out Writers Block: Listening To Your Inner Voice
When I was young, I used to talk to myself. Long, drawn out, one-sided conversations.
Good Writing
Good writing is like sex. Two people are involved - the writer and the reader.
Writing Your Best-Selling Non-Fiction Book Title
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your book, ebook, report or other information-based product each month?Are you stumped by the lack of response you are getting?You are positive people want your information, yet no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to tap into the flood of demand with your infoproduct.Happily, there is one simple, quick change you can make to your product that can make a massive difference to your results -- improve your book title.
Tips For Better Writing
It is certainly true that we don't get a second chance to make a first impression. As the impression we make on the Internet is almost always with the written word, is it unfortunate that there is so much poor writing bouncing around in cyberspace.
The Opportunities As A Freelance Proofreader in the UK
A UK based freelance proofreader should be able to provide quality products for the United Kingdom audience. There are many differences in the type of work that is produced for the United States and that which is produced for the United Kingdom.
Groundbreaking Work
Every writer knows that the urge to write is not always present. As a result, the dedicated writer writes anyway.
Writing with a Sense of Adventure
We've all been told that we need to use all five senses to bring our fiction to life. Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch all need to be invoked.
10 Secrets For Everyday Writing Success
During my 25-year career in a variety of professional positions in both the private and public sectors I have written literally thousands of letters and memos and hundreds of reports. If I had to boil-down everything I've learned about practical day-to-day writing for both personal and business purposes into 10 key points, this would be my "top 10 list".
Getting To Know Your Characters
Interesting characters that readers care about are the most important 'ingredients' in your novel.That might sound like a fairly sweeping statement, but think about it.