Less-Qualified Writers Are Stealing Your Readers
Get your readers back with 1 change
Your reader wants to be led.
If you’re giving your reader options, they will turn away and go to someone less-qualified who tells them what to do.
Your reader knows there are 40 things they COULD do. They’re reading your article to learn the 1 thing they SHOULD do.
The problem you’re solving in your writing is one small problem in the grand scheme of their life — they don’t want to spend 6 hours testing 40 things to figure out how to solve this problem.
They want to be told what to do and that if they do it, their problem will be solved.
They don’t want options. They want results.
But I can hear the questions now…
“My topic is complicated. There isn’t one BEST option.”
How to give fewer options when there isn’t one “best” option
Elementary, my dear Reader.
We look to Sherlock Holmes to answer this question.
Sherlock Holmes, the master of deduction, didn’t present Watson with an endless list of possibilities for every crime.
He narrowed down the field, using logic and observation to arrive at the most probable solution.
Your readers, much like Dr. Watson, seek that same clarity.
Deduce Your Reader’s Needs
Just as Holmes examines the scene of the crime, you must examine your reader’s context.
- What specifics are most important to them?
- What resources are realistically available to them?
- What are they trying to get from this?
By understanding their limitations, you can eliminate solutions that are impractical for their situation.
How to acknowledge alternatives (without drowning in them)
Holmes, while confident, wasn’t blind to other possibilities. You, too, can acknowledge alternative approaches.
However, instead of presenting them as equal choices, frame them as “If this, then that” scenarios.
For example:
- “If your budget is extremely limited, then this alternative approach might be suitable…”
- “For those with advanced technical skills, consider this option, but be aware it requires…”
By framing alternatives with specific conditions, you maintain clarity while still acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
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The final problem
Remember, your readers are not looking for a mystery to solve. They want a clear path forward, much like Scotland Yard seeks Holmes’ definitive answers. By providing focused, well-reasoned advice, you become the trusted expert they turn to in their time of need.
In the end, it’s not about simplifying complex topics to the point of inaccuracy. It’s about making the complex accessible and actionable.
Just as Holmes makes the intricate seem elementary, your writing should make the daunting feel doable.
When faced with a multitude of options, channel your inner Sherlock.
Investigate thoroughly, deduce wisely, and present your findings with confidence.
Your readers will thank you for it, and like Dr. Watson, they’ll return time and again for your insights.
