As we create our online presence, the importance of having good content writing becomes increasingly apparent. The text written on your website, product descriptions, blog posts, and social media posts are often the primary way your customers and audience interact with your business. With the rise of internet consumption, it is crucial to do everything in your power to strengthen your brand and engage your audience with clear, effective writing. In this post, we explore how bad writing can harm your business and online presence while providing specific tips and examples on how to improve content writing.
Why does good writing matter?
Your customers rely on the writing found in your content to learn about your business, make purchasing decisions, and interact with your brand. If poorly written content is used to represent your business, your potential customers could decide to look elsewhere. Bad writing can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, and lost credibility. In short, bad writing drives your customers and audience away.
Examples of Bad Writing:
Example 1: A poorly written social media post
"hey guys we've got 10% off product for you today come and get it #amazingbargain #dontmissout"
This social media post has several issues that make it difficult to read and appear unprofessional. The usage of the phrase "hey guys" is informal and too casual, which may not be the right tone to engage all of your audience. Also, the lack of punctuation usage is problematic, and the hashtag spam distracts from the content of the post.
Example 2: A confusing blog post
"In response to the current market trends, our product has undergone innovation and modifications to promote growth and increased productivity. Look at the features of the product to learn how this will benefit you."
This blog post is filled with jargon and confusing language that makes it challenging to understand what the author wants to say. The use of passive voice and technical terms assumes the reader has prior knowledge and is familiar with the product's technical aspects.
Example 3: A repetitive product description
"If you are looking for a stylish, trendy, and chic piece, then you will love this dress. It is stylish and trendy - a must-have for your wardrobe. The dress is chic and elegant and perfect for any occasion."
The above description is repetitive and fails to provide the essential details of the dress - its fabric, the length, and the sizing. The adjectives used are repetitive and offer no additional information.
How To Fix Bad Writing
Use Active Voice: Passive voice can make sentences long and hard to read. To keep the sentence structure concise and easy to understand, use active voice sentences that clearly convey the message.
Eliminate Jargon: Not everyone knows technical language. Avoid using technical language or provide clear definitions if necessary. Make sure to prioritize clarity above all else.
Focus on Your Audience: Consider the reader and tailor your writing to your audience's needs. Consider the tone and formality of your writing according to the reader. The content should be engaging for the target audience and match their experience and knowledge level.
Applying the Tips and Techniques
Using the above tips and techniques, let's see how we would improve the previously mentioned bad writing examples.
Example 1: An Improved social media post
"Good news! We're offering our customers a fantastic deal on our products today. Take advantage of our 10% discount. Visit our store today and check out #amazingbargains #getdiscountnow."
The above post effectively improves the call-to-action, eliminates the jargon, and makes it reader-friendly, and catches the reader's attention.
Example 2: A simplified blog post
"Our product is now more innovative than ever. We’ve made changes to the product to enhance your productivity. Check out the features and see for yourself."
The above improved blog post keeps the message clear and concise, highlights the benefits of the product, and simplifies the language, making it easier to understand.
Example 3: A new product description
"This dress is made of the finest silk to guarantee top-of-the-line quality and features a flattering knee-length design, perfect for all occasions."
This new product description effectively eliminates redundancy, focuses on the product's essential characteristics, and provides sufficient information to help the reader's purchasing decision.
Conclusion
In summary, bad writing makes it hard for your audience to understand your message, and it can hurt your brand's credibility. With the above tips and techniques for improving your writing, you can create clear, concise content that engages, informs, and drives potential customers to take action. We encourage you to review your writing and ensure that it meets the standards of professional communication. Strengthening your writing skills can go a long way in increasing customer engagement, revenue, and improve your online presence.
Do you need assistance with writing your content for your small business? Contact J. H. Morris Productions today for a free consultation and learn how we can help.
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