Modlette writers all experience the same frustrations.
You’ve settled down to write your content. You’re in love with your ideas.
But when you read your draft … it doesn’t have the impact you’d expected. A spark is missing. The content sounds yuck. It doesn’t sound like you at all. Makes you want to curse with frustration!
Cultivating an engaging voice may feel like an arduous, perhaps even painful, journey. But when you invite a sense of play, that unnerving journey turns into a fun adventure. While experimenting with words, you’ll find your voice. And when you’ve found your voice, your learning content stands out in a draft sea of grey words. Tall and confident.
Let’s see how to have fun with words and find your voice.
Why word choice can feel tricky
Mostly we tend to choose safe words … the words popping in our mind first. These are the words everyone is using.
Everyday language is a good idea, because learners can quickly grasp your ideas. But when you use only everyday language, your content doesn’t stand out.
Writing is different from talking. When we speak we use hand signals, and facial expressions to add emotion and meaning to our words. But when we write, we can’t wink, we can’t smile, we can’t slam our fist on the table or throw our hands in the air.
So our written words have to work harder. Our words have to whisper or shout. Our words have to attract attention and engage. Our words have to express emotion.
This is why your writing must contain more emotional words, with colourful language, with a sensory touch you need to push yourself outside your comfort zone and play with different words.
Examples of Word Choice
Have you ever studied how others choose their words?
And have you noticed how their words give you an impression of their personality?
The following snippets come from a sales page for a fitness book of Dragon Door. What type of personality comes across?
- How to construct a barn door back … and walk with loaded guns?
- How to take a trip to hell … and steel a Satanic six-pack?
- How to guarantee steel rod fingers?
- Time to deliver the final bullet to those aching muscles, the Crucifix pull … brilliant and very painful.
The Dragon Door example uses strong sensory and emotional words like “loaded guns”, “bullet”, “trip to hell”, “Satanic” and “steel rod”.
Now, let’s compare this to a sales page for Yoga teaching class of Balance Yoga and Wellness. Try and imagine the type of teacher who’s written this:
- Heart-centred yoga. Learn the foundations of Anusara yoga, including the loops and spirals, universal principles and more
- Balance your body and mind. Learn and apply ayurvedic principles to your diet and lifestyle so you get healthier and happier. Improve your sleep and digestion so your energy invigorates your students and others around you.
- Spark your creativity. Make your own mala bracelets, eye-pillows, day models, and yantras. Tapping into your creative centre will help you infuse a sense of playfulness into your teaching.
This copy uses softer and more positive words like: “invigorates”, “heart centred”, “spark”, “balance”, “healthier”, “happier”, and “tap into”.
Choosing your words isn’t just about being precise and concise. The words you choose also give an impression of your personality; they define your voice.
How do you want to be seen? How do you want to interact with your learners?