Agencies, Freelancers, Design, Copywriting & more.: [Copyblogger] Shorter is Better

Shorter is Better

Shorter is Better

I have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had time to make it shorter. ~Blaise Pascal (1623-1662).

We are inundated with information. People are starved for time and as such they greatly respect and value short correspondence, articles and blog posts.

If you want people to read something, make it short and concise. A paragraph that runs five sentences long is daunting and there is a good chance that the reader will not read it.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Use short words: They are easier to understand — so use simple English even if it offends your sense of literacy.

2. Use dashes to shorten up a sentence: Most readers are not grammatical experts and value sentences that are more in line with the way they speak — so use dashes to make the message clear.

3. Use bullet points and numbered paragraphs: They keep the message clear and organized in our minds.

4. Use plenty of space: The more white background space on the page, the easier it is to read the black text. Double spacing text is easier to read than single spacing.

If you're reading a magazine and an article is six pages of text, you might decide to read it later. And later never comes. If the article is a well-organized one or two pages with bullet points and short paragraphs, there's a better chance it will be read right away.

The strain on our 21st century attention would be unimaginable to those who lived in the 19th century. And yet…

I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English - it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don’t let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in.

~Mark Twain, March 20, 1880

About the Author: Jim Estill is the CEO of Canadian computer product company SYNNEX and the author of the Time Leadership blog and book.