Keeping It Short
Tim WallOk, confession time — I like to write. I guess that can be a good thing, but often it can also be bad. Why? Because I tend to write too much when something short would have worked just as well.
At one time, I became known for the length of my emails. I was sort of proud of it at the time, thinking my rhetoric and wit were appreciated by all. But then I realized I was pretty much just wasting everyone’s time.
Being wordy can waste your valuable time and it can also frustrate your readers and clients by wasting their time as well. So, if you tend toward wordiness like I do, why not challenge yourself to streamline your communications, or your proposals, or whatever else you’re writing.
I know it’s hard. After all, I’ve got a lot of brilliant thoughts in my head right now that I’d like to add to this article. But, I think the point has been made.
‘Nuff said.
orangeplusgrey
October 8th, 2007
So true.
riki
October 8th, 2007
It’s called “verbal diarrhea”
Peter Ivanov
October 8th, 2007
haha its like a drug isn’t it
olikenobi
October 8th, 2007
I’m the total opposite, I’m unable to write long texts, I try to, but I usually end up with one short sentence that explains a whole idea. When I write a song, I write all I want to say in one verse. And it’s the same when I write emails, people usually reply asking me for more information.
Corby Simpson
October 8th, 2007
amen
kristen
October 8th, 2007
I like this post but wish you gave some tips on how to cut down the length of emails…
good topic.
Rob Schultz
October 8th, 2007
I suffer from this as well…just read my latest post on my site. I could write a novel about my experiences.
Steve
October 8th, 2007
There’s really two sides to this. I side more with the second of the two, but I see where you’re coming from.
Yes - being verbose is going to bore some and intimidate others. Some of the best writing in the world is exactly that–short and effective. Mark Twain was famous for writing his novels “stripped for fight”; all of the action without the endless description.
No - Text has a great advantage over video & audio. Readers can look at an entire post or article at a glance, pick out the valuable bits, skim over it, or devour the whole thing. Format it right, and you’ll have the maximum impact on your readers while being able to suit their appetites perfectly. The readers more-less choose what they want to get out of it if there is more content than the bare minimum.
Luyza
October 8th, 2007
So Freelance Switch is becoming a personal blog instead of resources for freelances? Bummer.
Now on topic, we would all love (I think
) if you shared the rest of the thoughts that are in your mind 
Carmen
October 8th, 2007
That’s true.
)
There is a saying in Spain that says:
“Lo bueno, si breve, dos veces bueno” meaning: The good stuff, if short, is good stuff twice (well, more or less, translating sayings is not easy
Tim Wall
October 8th, 2007
Kristen, sorry for the lack of detail in the post, but that was intentional. Luyza, I definitely don’t think FSw is turning into a personal blog, but a little deviation from the norm is healthy, I think.
Since you asked, though, here are a few things I do to keep it short:
1) Remind myself to keep it short.
2) Be ok with not being perfect.
3) Remove unnecessary words, sentences, paragraphs, or in some case, just don’t write anything at all.
4) Summarize, don’t explain. Let people ask if they need more.
Philip Wallage
October 8th, 2007
Hahaha awesome really loved to read this short but very true point of notice.
I got some clients that suffer from this problem, but directing them to this
article wouldnt be a ’subtle/smart’ move.
Thanks !
deman
October 8th, 2007
Have a look on Oliver Strunk’s “Element of Style”.
He said “Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.”
http://www.orwell.ru/library/others/style/e/ein_01.htm
Jermayn Parker
October 9th, 2007
short and to the point, way i like it when reading articles/ blogs
Louisa Nicholson
October 9th, 2007
To be honest, I do hate being tied up into conversation at work or through e-mail. It causes me to lose time. Thanks for considering other people!
Steve
October 9th, 2007
I very seriously need to go out and buy Elements of Style. It’s been on my wishlist for over a year now. Okay okay, I’m cheap.