Author: Neera

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).

Is your writing boring?

It is not making the impact it should make?

Do you have trouble converting readers into customers?

You need to learn to copywrite.

I used to dread copywriting.

I thought it was too hard.

I thought copywriting was not really writing but selling.

I thought, if I kept writing the way I did, I will be true to myself and will start making an impact one day.

But my writing wasn’t getting anywhere.

Until I learned the art of copywriting.

I found it wasn’t hard.

It boiled down to 21 Rules.

Download my FREE mini-guide now and improve your writing dramatically.