Now You Have My Attention
But you won't for long. Brevity is the skill we all need to master.
Every Friday, I share lessons to my kids that can apply to everyone else.
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Are you completely inundated with messages every day? Most likely.
I run an email newsletter business and deal with inquiries in my inbox all day long. Managing my email inbox is challenging enough. Combine this with having to browse the web for content, zoom meetings, answering messages, my family, the dogs, and it's pretty damn hard to get my attention.
I’m not alone. That’s why brevity is THE skill to master. According to Joseph McCormack, the author of BRIEF: Make a Bigger Impact By Saying Less, “less is more” is one thing you need if you want to build a successful career.
While I can’t take us back to the pre-internet area, I can share my thoughts on how to be more effective in getting your message across.
If you are sending me an email, and want my attention, follow the 'less is more' mandate. Get to the point quickly, or you lose me…and most others.
Why is it so hard for people to be succinct?
Maybe you have a bloated sense of how great your idea is…
Or you bury people with too much information and unnecessary detail
Do you fear that if you don’t give me as many details as possible in the email, I may never respond again?
Maybe you continue to drive home messages far past the moment that the point has been made for fear that I did not get in the first time
Here are some great fixes:
Challenge yourself to make your point in 25 words or less. It’s challenging but if you put the effort into making your point in the fewest words possible, you’ll be amazed and how clear and concise your message is - even if you don’t meet the 25-word challenge.
Eliminate niceties - “I know you are busy” “Hey, hope you are doing great”….
You have little time to get your point across, don’t waste words trying to soften the pitch. If it's good and concise, then there’s no need to apologize for making your case. By keeping it simple, you are already telling the person you value their time.
Don’t repeat information. If you have a point to make, say it right away and say it only once. If you repeat something that’s already been said, the original point loses its strength.
Take a writing class. A good writing class can teach you to make your points using the fewest words possible. The training can benefit your spoken communications too!
Remember, to build up your case, use the fewest steps. Now, I look forward to your next email.