Persuasive writing – talk about them, not you.

That's true in dating, making new friends and especially when you're selling a product, a service or an idea.

Stop talking about yourself

But like, how?

I see so much good advice floating around, but sometimes you need those big ideas boiled down into a bit of a step-by-step.

So that's what this is.

Download Guide

To stop talking about yourself

1. Ask yourself, "Why will they care? What's in it for them? What will they actually get?"

2. Write those down. Those are your benefits.

3. Construct sentences around the reader, and those benefits.

Let me show you an example:

"We know how to define and connect with your customers and we know how to keep them engaged with your brand. We do that with thorough research, strategic thinking and consultation".

Notice how many times it says, 'we'? Notice that it's not telling me why I need any of this?

Let's flip some of the sentences so they start with ‘you’.

"You'll know who your customers are, and how to keep them to engaged with your brand. How? Thorough research, strategic thinking and consultation – that’s where we can help".

Now, let's add the reason why I need this.

“Let the leads roll in. You'll know who your customers are, and how to keep them to engaged with your brand. How? Thorough research, strategic thinking and consultation – that’s where we can help".

See? Turn “we” into “you”, and start everything with that benefit – what people really get out of what you’re selling.

Helen Steemson

The lead copywriter and creative director at Words for Breakfast. She spends much of her time working with the copy writing team across a variety of projects.