Have you noticed that the more education a person has the more complicated their words and conversations seem to be? I have always been fascinated by this.
Didn’t someone say that the more you know the simpler your communication should be? Maybe that is what I said at some point in my career as a technical writer.
The reality is simple is better. Simplify your documentation and watch your audiencesoak it up then come back for more. The truth is the brain can only process so much at one time.
With a barrage of information only small percentage is retained. The first and last part of the content receives the most attention while the middle content is wholly forgotten. Interesting, huh?
So it is important to keep it simple. Break up your content with headers. Use bold and italics (in moderation please). Leave a lot of white space around paragraphs and despite what your English teacher said, keep your paragraphs short.
The attention span of the average reader is about as long as a gnat. Blame it on our fast pace world and overall conditioning because of our society. We don’t slow down much these days to give our mind a rest. We also don’t learn the power of concentration in this day and age any more.
Computers and television screens are in constant motion and so are our bodies. Is there any wonder there are so many insomniacs? Our minds are in a constant state of activity and our bodies are suffering because of it.
So until the world decides to slow down our information will need to accommodate the masses if we want it to be consumed. Short and simple is the rule of the day.
If you find yourself a little long-winded maybe you need my help. Contact me for a conversation or quote to get content that keeps your clients engaged and loyal.
