great point, and I might add, write a descriptive subject too! I often don't get past that, let alone 3 paragraphs.
You are looking might lean BTW. :-)
Michael Bailey
· 2 years ago
I tent to treat most things which I write as if the reader has no prior knowledge of my subject.
So, I don't like hitting them with anything up front which might send them running away, screaming, since they might think that they'll never be able to digest the rest of the story.
TINKOFF
· 2 years ago
This is the central idea behind Barbara Minto's "Pyramid Process" of writing made famous by the managing consulting firm McKinsey. It's also called "top down" or "inductive" logic. It's a great way to build a presentation - and enables the reader just to read the headlines to get the entire story.
Whitney
· 2 years ago
In journalism, they call this Burying the lead. If there's anything I've learned from Chris, it's keep it short and relevant. Prose is nice for leisure time, not business, not online.
Nicholas Quixote
· 2 years ago
Thanks for the tips. We can always use improvement. No one reads our blog.
Karen (aka MrsB)
· 2 years ago
Great point.. especially for a classic "scanner" like me. There's just way too much to read in too little time each and every day!
Adriana
· 2 years ago
Chris, Your point is great and is also valid for speaking. In the bay area they are organizing events called -The Elevator Pitch Roundtable - The load need to be there otherwise no $ - www.VCTaskforce.com/
annie
· 2 years ago
I second the descriptive or enticing subject line suggestion, too. I usually scan my feeds and only read the ones that grab my attention from the start.
Kevin Kennedy-Spaien
· 2 years ago
Heh heh, I have to wonder if my ramble from yesterday helped inspired this! I at least make the accommodation of bolding my most important points.
This is good stuff. Snack journalism.
Of course it DOES get back to thinking blogger vs writing blogger. As the latter, occasionally the TRUE subject of my post only emerges through the writing process. Then it gets down to: "Is there time for extensive editing?"
Alan Weinkrantz
· 2 years ago
Write like you speak.
And start speaking with video
chrisbrogan
· 2 years ago
i learned brevity when i communicated w/ jeff, justin and chris it was jarring at first
i try to ramble in my journal/blog now not in email or comments i'm learning a new skill
LEMills
· 2 years ago
How a message is constructed still depends on the listener and the listener's knowledge. Michael Bailey has it right about the need for background at times, and the skillful writer or speaker knows how to make that understandable and concise. That consideration for the audience is often neglected; I wish we could see numbers on the topics dismissed because the curious were at sea from word one.
Why is it that everyone seems to have become a sloppy reader and listener these days? Self-importance? Lack of empathy? Too many distractions in too little time? Preference for grunting?
Dale Cruse
· 2 years ago
@Chris: Your concept of putting the most important thing up front is drilled into your head on the first day of journalism school. It's actually referred to as the "inverted pyramid" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_pyramid
@Whitney: Actually, I believe what Chris is describing is the OPPOSITE of "burying the lead."
Justin Kownacki
· 2 years ago
@Linda: I'm not so sure it's sloppy reading that's the problem. How about "people have far more to do in far less time than ever before?" Why waste my time making a long-winded point?
I always ask this hypothetical: WHY should I spend my time listening to you?
If anything, I think it's the WRITERS who have to learn to not be self-important. If people want to read / hear / see more from you (or me), they'll tell us.
Otherwise, please don't presume you're worth more than a few moments of someone's time.
All Comments
You are looking might lean BTW. :-)
So, I don't like hitting them with anything up front which might send them running away, screaming, since they might think that they'll never be able to digest the rest of the story.
If there's anything I've learned from Chris, it's keep it short and relevant.
Prose is nice for leisure time, not business, not online.
Your point is great and is also valid for speaking.
In the bay area they are organizing events called -The Elevator Pitch Roundtable - The load need to be there otherwise no $ - www.VCTaskforce.com/
This is good stuff. Snack journalism.
Of course it DOES get back to thinking blogger vs writing blogger. As the latter, occasionally the TRUE subject of my post only emerges through the writing process. Then it gets down to: "Is there time for extensive editing?"
And start speaking with video
it was jarring at first
i try to ramble in my journal/blog now
not in email or comments
i'm learning a new skill
Why is it that everyone seems to have become a sloppy reader and listener these days? Self-importance? Lack of empathy? Too many distractions in too little time? Preference for grunting?
@Whitney: Actually, I believe what Chris is describing is the OPPOSITE of "burying the lead."
I always ask this hypothetical: WHY should I spend my time listening to you?
If anything, I think it's the WRITERS who have to learn to not be self-important. If people want to read / hear / see more from you (or me), they'll tell us.
Otherwise, please don't presume you're worth more than a few moments of someone's time.