How “write as you speak” means better business

“I could hear you saying those words” is a fabulous compliment on writing that helps other people get to know you.  It means a stranger reading your web copy (or blog post, or profile, say) will meet the same ‘you’ in person as they met on the screen.

That’s a good thing because your words will make that all-important first impression for you.  They’ll do the heavy lifting, without you lifting so much as a finger.

So, what does “write as you speak” actually mean?

It’s deceptively simple advice, granted.  When we speak (or when I speak, at least), our sentences are riddled with incomplete thoughts, filler words, slang and sayings.  You want to sound clear, precise, and knowledgeable, but still in a way that says: only I could have written this!

If you’re struggling to find your natural writing voice, a good tip is to record yourself talking about something that interests you.  Speak for a good few minutes, then transcribe the recording yourself, so you get to know the words and their rhythm personally.  Take out the “ums” and “ahhs”, neaten up the straggly sentences, and you’ve got it.

Now, try talking about your business.

You could also try talking through the profile you’re about to write, or make verbal notes about an upcoming blog post.  Transcribe those words yourself, too.

(By “transcribe it yourself” I mean, don’t use an AI transcription service.   The idea is for you to get to know your voice well enough that writing in it becomes perfectly natural).

You now have two pieces of writing that are entirely in your voice.  What do you notice?  Underline the words or phrases that stand out to you.  Note any switches in tone between the first piece (something that interests you) and the second (your business or profile).  How do you express enthusiasm?  What words keep coming up when you’re in ‘professional’ mode?   Can you infuse some of that enthusiasm into the words you write for business?

Give it a go.

If you need a second opinion, try showing your writing to a friend or colleague.  For absolute proof (and a bit of fun), give them three pieces of writing.  Only one is by you: can they identify it?

Writing as you speak will delight readers who know you well, endear you to ones who don’t, and alienate a few others who don’t matter.

The great thing is, you’ll probably only hear from the first two groups.  Those are your readers, your people, your potential customers.

If you need more help writing as you speak – or you’d prefer just to speak while someone else does the writing! – just drop me a line.