12 Ways To Get People To Read Your Writing

You only have 15 seconds to get someone’s attention. In this post, we share 12 ways to get people to read your writing.

You Only Have 15 Seconds

Modern readers scan. You only have fifteen seconds to get someone’s attention. If your headline does not grab their attention they won’t read your writing. If your first sentence does not live up to the promise of the headline they are unlikely to return to your posts.

12 Ways To Get People To Read Your Writing

If you follow this list, people will read your article: 

1. Start with the most important news.
2. Communicate it clearly.
3. Only include necessary information.
4. Organise your information logically.
5. Write in a chronological sequence.
6. Use simple words. (Your average word length should be four characters)
7. Use short sentences. (Your average sentence length should be nine words)
8. Use short paragraphs. (Your average paragraphs should be three sentences.)
9. Leave out unnecessary words.
10. Use the active voice. (Avoid the passive voice.)
11. Write in plain language.
12. Your grammar, punctuation, and spelling must be correct.

Surgeons follow procedures when they operate. Writers need to follow rules when they write.

Resources for business writers:

1. The Complete Grammar Workbook
2. The Complete Email Workbook
3. The Report Writing Workbook

1. 93 Extremely Bad Business Writing Habits to Break
2. Begin at the end – the one essential email trick every business writer should know
3. The Top 7 Tips for Writing Emails
4. 17 Pretentious Words & What to Use Instead
5. 15 Grammar Rules It’s Okay to Break
6. 10 Editing Tips That’ll Instantly Make You a Better Writer

Top Tip: Find out more about our workbooks and online courses in our shop.