Month: August 2023

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Most of my ideas come from reading. So whenever I read something that invokes an idea, I take time to jot it down. I do that whatever is handy – my phone, a notebook, or even a piece of paper.

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There is no point in taking notes when you can’t find them when you need them. Twice a week, I transfer them to the Idea Journal in my Personal Knowledge Management System (I will share more about my PKMS later).

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When the time comes to write a LinkedIn post, I pick one idea and elaborate it by hand. Writing by hand allows me to access the parts of the brain that typing can’t. I always come up with better ideas when writing on a paper rather than a screen.

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I pick the main idea of the post and create an image using it as a quote. I only started doing it recently and found it really useful in highlighting the main point and branding my posts.

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Rather than hitting published when I am done, I schedule my posts when I am going to be available to answer comments. LinkedIn now has the ability to schedule posts which I find very handy.

One of mine is using metaphors.

Because metaphors are fun.
They help clarify ideas.
And they make your writing stand out.

They add emotion to your idea, which makes them memorable.

In Paul Loomans’ excellent book ???? ???????, the author proposes a Zen-inspired method of time management.

He calls this method – time surfing.

Just like a surfer can’t control the waves of the ocean, we can’t control time.
Time passes by whether we like it or not. Comparing time to surfing creates a sense of movement, fluidity, and freedom.

It makes you think of excitement and lack of control at the same time.

Here is another metaphor from the same book.

Think of your To-Do list as a string of beads. Some beads may be shiny, colorful, and appealing; others may be dull and rather ugly. So are your tasks.

Some beads are big; some are tiny.
Just like your tasks.

Now your turn.
What metaphors speak to you?
How can you use them in your writing?

Conversational writing is like having a one-on-one conversation between your audience and you.

It’s real, meaningful, and builds trust.

It helps you connect with your audience by using language and phrasing familiar to the audience.

It avoids heavy words and long, winding sentences.

Back in the day, authors used to use formal English to write books.

Today, more and more authors choose conversational English to convey their message.

Here are five ways you can achieve a conversational tone:

Take Notes – Most of my ideas come from reading. I make sure I write them down, using whatever is handy – an iPhone, a notebook or a piece of paper.

Write in ‘first’ and ‘second’ person – Use ‘Your’ and ‘I’ rahter than ‘them’ and ‘they.’

Use Contractions – Use I’m, you’ll, I’d, How’s.

Tell stories – A good story can appeal to emotions and create empathy. We are tuned to like stories from childhood.

Use simple words – Don’t say ‘utilize’, say ‘use.’ Don’t write ‘accorded,’ write ‘given.’ Don’t say ‘expedite,’ say ‘speed up.’ Don’t write ‘convene,’ write ‘meet.’

Avoid passive voice – Passive voice is “The outcome is guaranteed by the company. Active voice is “Our company guarantees the outcome.”

Write as if you are talking to a friend.

Another tool to make your writing more conversational (something I forgot in the excitement of making Canva slides) it is parentheses. Parentheses are used to provide additional, yet essential information but can also add liveliness to the writing. Here, see them in action:

She left work early and bought the ingredients on the way home: a chicken, streaky bacon, butter, olive oil (she’d never heard of it), garlic (ditto), button onions (ditto), button mushrooms (ditto), herbs (mostly ditto), a quarter bottle of brandy (you only needed two tablespoons but you couldn’t buy two tablespoons) and a bottle of burgundy (you only needed half a bottle but they’d drink the rest).