Wordiness - A Writer's Weakness

Having been a consultant for most of my career, efficiency is embedded in my work ethic and that includes writing. Efficient writing ensures clear and accurate communication. And who doesn't appreciate a writer who respects your time?

Countless hours are spent in daily business and leisure when trying to decipher email messages, documentation, or an author's story. The ideas and messages inside a writer's mind doesn't always clearly translate to the finished product.

Many writers write the way they speak - without a filter, revising their point in long winded prose, and without an in-the-moment editor.

The infamous quote (attributed to various historical writers and figures): "If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter," completely applies here.

While you may spend extra time in writing an efficient email, article, or manuscript, the downstream effects from it are well worth the investment. And over time, you'll become more adept at writing succinctly.

Here are a few solid seasons to write efficiently.

Saves Time

Writing efficiently saves time for the reader by eliminating the need to clear up misunderstandings. Also, many readers have minimal bandwidth and may skip over verbose text, missing the essential message they need to hear.

Focuses on Important Points

As a writer then, you must know the main points of your sentence, paragraph, or chapter. If you are writing efficiently, your reader can easily follow your writing and stay engaged throughout the piece.

Increases Credibility

Efficient writing eliminates unnecessary words, thoughts, and phrases and includes organizing your message in a clear, concise manner. In business, efficient writing can create the perception of being more credible and can help people complete a task, or formulate a response more quickly too. In fiction, writing efficiently can create a bond between the reader and your storytelling.

Influences Others

Writing efficiently can be contagious. Coworkers or readers begin to discern when it's appropriate to share what is necessary, creating ease of understanding and increasing productivity too.

In essence, efficient writing is a skill that benefits both the writer and the reader by maximizing clarity and enhancing overall communication. If you haven't tried bottom lining in your writing, experiment with the practice and see how you and your recipients respond.