How to Sound Confident in Writing

Every now and again, I’m asked for tips about how to sound confident in writing.

Such requests often come from people who speak English as a second or third language.  Many feel that they don’t come across as professional or assertive as they would like, especially when they write.

(I listen to some of these people talk about how terrible they are at communicating in written English… just after I’ve browsed their LinkedIn profile or professional website, on which the most incredible, awe-inspiring achievements are humbly listed.

“Why are you asking me for help?”  I always want to ask, and sometimes do.)

Some people think confident-sounding prose is hard to get right.  Maybe that’s because they don’t actually feel very confident at all.  Perhaps they try their best to imbue every sentence with at least one rhetorical flourish.

Regardless, there’s a quick and easy trick to help confidence-ify your writing immediately.

Just keep it clear and simple.

What does “keep it clear and simple” mean?

Here are a few prompts.

First, remove any sentence-modifiers that make you sound waffly and indecisive, like: “I suppose”, “might”, or “probably”.   For example, swapping “I might be…” for “I am…” can be hugely effective on its own.

Then, cut rambling “if” clauses, such as “if that makes sense…” from your sentences, along with unnecessary apologies, like “sorry if you’ve already thought of this, but…”

Don’t use jargon… or if you absolutely must, at least explain what it means.  Oh, and use the active voice (“I’m creative and bold”) over the passive (“creativity and boldness are qualities possessed by me”) to make yourself sound extra-sparkly.

Don’t tip the balance into arrogance

 The best ‘arrogance test’ is reading your words out loud.  They should naturally sound like you, at your confident best.

If some parts make you cringe, interrogate them for overblown-ness or out-of-context bragging.  And if you’re really not sure, ask a trusted someone else for their opinion.

My final tip?  Read.

Reading will increase your confidence as a writer, because you’ll naturally start paying attention to how others come across in words.  Through this, you’ll gain a better idea of what works best – and what doesn’t – for you.

If in doubt, remember that the simpler you can make your writing, the better.  It’s easy to think you have to use complex language to sound confident and knowledgeable, but if you genuinely know what you’re talking about, you won’t need to hide behind varnished words.

Meanwhile, if you speak English as a second or third language, then you’re most likely in possession of a superpower.  As the Japanese author Haruki Murakami notes, not only are you already compelled to write in shorter, simpler sentences, but you can even develop a creative style that’s all your own.

Can I help you with your writing?  My mentoring sessions are fun, flexible, and cost-effective.  Find out more here.