Writing conversational content is an art. While it may seem like a daunting task, it is important to remember that the best way to connect with your audience is by writing like you talk. This approach makes your writing more engaging and relatable, which can help build trust and loyalty with your readers.
In this article, we will provide you with ten tips on how to write as you talk, so you can create conversational content that resonates with your audience.
Tip #1: Use simple language
Using simple language is an essential tip for writing conversational content. While it may be tempting to use complex vocabulary and industry-specific jargon, doing so can make your writing sound formal, stilted, and difficult to understand. When your writing is hard to comprehend, your readers are likely to become disengaged and lose interest in your content.
By contrast, using simple language can help your writing sound natural and more accessible to your readers. It also makes it easier for your readers to understand your message and connect with your content on a personal level. Using simple language doesn't mean that your writing has to be overly simplistic or lacking in substance, however. Instead, it means conveying complex ideas in a clear and concise manner that anyone can understand.
When writing using simple language, consider your audience and the level of knowledge they have about your topic. Avoid using technical language and jargon that is only familiar to experts in your field. Instead, use language that is commonly used and understood by your target audience. This may mean using shorter sentences, common phrases and avoiding complex vocabulary.
Tip #2: Write in the active voice
When writing conversational content, it's important to use active voice rather than passive voice. The difference between active and passive voice lies in the placement of the subject and the object in a sentence.
In active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action, while in passive voice, the subject receives the action. For example, "The cat chased the mouse" is in active voice, while "The mouse was chased by the cat" is in passive voice.
Writing in an active voice makes your writing more direct, concise, and engaging. It helps to put the focus on the person or thing that is performing the action, making your writing sound more dynamic and engaging. Active voice also tends to be more straightforward and easier to understand, making it ideal for conversational writing.
Passive voice can make your writing sound formal, impersonal, and distant. Passive voice often requires more words to convey the same meaning, and it can be more difficult for readers to follow the action of a sentence. Passive voice can also be ambiguous, leaving the reader unsure of who is performing the action or what is happening.
Tip #3: Use contractions
Contractions are abbreviated forms of words that combine two words into one by omitting one or more letters and replacing them with an apostrophe. For example, "it's" is a contraction of "it is", and "can't" is a contraction of "cannot".
Using contractions in your writing can help make it sound more natural and conversational. Contractions are a part of everyday speech, and using them in your writing can make it sound more like you're talking directly to your reader. Contractions can also help to make your writing flow more smoothly, as they reduce the number of syllables in a sentence and make it easier to read.
Tip #4: Use humor
Using humor in your writing is a great way to make your content more engaging and conversational. Humor is an effective tool for building rapport with your readers and helping them feel more connected to your content. A well-timed joke or humorous observation can break the ice and help to put your reader at ease.
Humor can also help to convey your message in a more memorable way. When readers are entertained and amused, they are more likely to remember the information you're sharing with them. This can help to increase engagement and drive more traffic to your content.
However, it's important to use humor strategically and tastefully. You want to avoid using jokes that are offensive or insensitive, as this can backfire and alienate your readers. It's also important to use humor in a way that supports your message and doesn't detract from it.
Here are some tips for using humor in your writing:
Know your audience. Before using humor, consider who your target audience is and what type of humor they are likely to appreciate. What makes one group of people laugh might not be funny to another group, so it's important to know your audience.
Keep it appropriate. Avoid using humor that is offensive or insensitive. Humor that relies on stereotypes or discrimination is never appropriate and can do more harm than good.
Use humor to enhance your message. Humor should support your message, not detract from it. Use humor to illustrate a point or drive home a message in a more memorable way.
Use it sparingly. Humor is most effective when used sparingly. Overusing humor can make your writing feel forced and can detract from the overall message.
Test it out. Before publishing your writing, test out your humor on a few people. This can help you gauge whether your humor is appropriate and effective.
Tip #5: Be personal
Being personal is an essential part of writing conversational content. Writing in a personal tone helps to create a connection with your readers and make them feel like they are having a conversation with you. Being personal also adds a human touch to your writing and makes it more relatable and engaging.
To write in a personal tone, it's important to use first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we". This helps to convey a sense of ownership and accountability for what you're saying. Using second-person pronouns like "you" can also help to create a sense of direct address, making the reader feel like you're speaking directly to them.
Tip #6: Use rhetorical questions
Using rhetorical questions is a powerful technique for engaging your readers and drawing them into your content. Rhetorical questions are questions that are asked for effect or to make a point, rather than to elicit an actual response. They are a great way to encourage your readers to think about a topic or issue, and can help to keep them engaged with your writing.
Here are some examples of how you can use rhetorical questions in your writing:
To introduce a topic, use a rhetorical question to grab your reader's attention and introduce your topic. For example, "Have you ever wondered why some people are more successful than others?"
To create a sense of urgency, use a rhetorical question to create a sense of urgency or importance. For example, "Do you really want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?"
To challenge assumptions, use a rhetorical question to challenge your reader's assumptions about a topic. For example, "Do you really believe that money can buy happiness?"
To emphasize a point, use a rhetorical question to emphasize a point you are making. For example, "Isn't it true that we all want to be happy and fulfilled in our lives?"
To encourage action, use a rhetorical question to encourage your readers to take action. For example, "Don't you think it's time to start living your life on your own terms?"
When using rhetorical questions, it's important to make sure they are relevant to your topic and add value to your content. Don't overuse them or ask questions that are too obvious or trivial, as this can detract from the overall quality of your writing.
Tip #7: Use analogies
Analogies are a powerful tool for explaining complex ideas and making them more accessible to your readers. Analogies involve comparing something that may be unfamiliar or abstract to something that is more relatable and understandable. This helps your readers to grasp the meaning of your ideas and concepts more easily.
Analogies can take many forms and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:
To clarify a concept, use an analogy to help explain a concept that may be difficult to understand. For example, "The human brain is like a computer. Just as a computer needs software to operate, the brain needs stimulation to function properly."
To make a point, use an analogy to make a point or argument more memorable. For example, "Trying to solve a problem without all the information is like trying to put together a puzzle with missing pieces."
To add humor, use an analogy to add humor to your writing. For example, "Listening to your boss is like watching paint dry - it's boring and takes forever."
To simplify technical terms, use an analogy to simplify technical terms and make them more understandable. For example, "An SSL certificate is like a passport for your website. It verifies your identity and ensures that your website is secure."
Tip #8: Break the rules
Breaking the rules can be a great way to make your writing more conversational and engaging. While it's important to follow basic grammar and spelling rules, being too rigid in your writing can make it feel stilted and unnatural. Breaking the rules, on the other hand, can help to add personality and character to your writing.
When breaking the rules in your writing, it's important to do so intentionally and with a purpose. Don't break the rules just for the sake of it, as this can make your writing feel forced and unnatural. Instead, break the rules in a way that adds value to your content and helps to create a more engaging and conversational tone.
Tip #9: Keep it short and sweet
One of the most important aspects of writing conversational content is keeping your writing short and to the point. Long and complex sentences and paragraphs can be difficult to read and understand, and can make your writing feel dull and unengaging. By keeping your writing short and sweet, you can create content that is easy to read and understand and that keeps your readers engaged from start to finish.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when striving for brevity in your writing:
Get to the point quickly. Start with the most important information at the beginning of your writing. This way, your readers will be engaged from the start and can quickly understand the main message you're trying to convey.
Use simple language. Keep your language simple and easy to understand. Using complex jargon or technical terms can make your writing difficult to read and understand.
Use short sentences. Short sentences are easier to read and understand than long, complex sentences. Try to keep your sentences to 15-20 words or less.
Use short paragraphs. Long paragraphs can be intimidating to readers. Try to break up your writing into short paragraphs that are easy to read and follow.
Cut out unnecessary words. Be ruthless when it comes to editing your writing. Cut out any words or phrases that don't add value to your content.
Avoid repetition. Repetition can be a useful tool for emphasis, but overusing it can make your writing feel tedious. Be mindful of when you're repeating yourself, and try to find alternative ways to convey your message.
Tip #10: Read it out loud
Reading your writing out loud can help you identify areas where your writing sounds stiff or unnatural. If it sounds like something you wouldn't say in a conversation, it probably doesn't belong in your writing.
Bottom line
Writing as you talk is an effective way to create conversational content that resonates with your audience. By using simple language, active voice, contractions, humor, personal stories, rhetorical questions, analogies, and breaking the rules, you can create content that is engaging, relatable, and memorable. Remember to keep it short and sweet, and to read your writing out loud to identify areas that need improvement. With these tips, you can write like you talk and create content that connects with your readers.
Don't forget that you can save time with eniAI content creation platform. Activate your free trial with 1,500 words and create conversational content in under 60 seconds.