Steve Woodruff has been an evangelist for clarity in communications for years. Also known as the King of Clarity, he is committed to helping people communicate more effectively so that their message is seen and understood.
Steve’s new book, The Point: How to Win with Clarity-Fueled Communications, will be published on October 17, 2023, and is available for pre-order now.
I am lucky enough to have an advance copy, and I can tell you that you need to order this book if you communicate in your personal or professional life, which is everyone. Your friends, family, colleagues, and clients will thank you.
From the Amazon page:
Is it possible to grab an audience’s attention in this noisy, confusing world? According to Steven Woodruff, the solution can be summed up in a word: clarity.
Clarity-fueled communications is the practice of using the fewest words to make the biggest impact. The Point unveils how the overloaded human brain wants information packaged, and how to craft brain-friendly messages that break through the noise.
From email to sales pitches, from workshops to resumes, Steven Woodruff’s Clarity Fuel Formula is the universal recipe for communications success. The Point includes four simple actions and eight compelling shortcuts that can be used by anyone to get to the point and get others on the same page.
Barnes & Noble lets you post reviews in advance of publication and here is what I wrote:
If You Write, You Need This Book
The business world is filled with content and noise, and our attention spans are getting shorter. How do you break through and get your intended reader’s attention? You do it by cutting out the fluff and getting to “The Point.” This is an incredibly helpful book that will improve the way you communicate.
Woodruff and I are definitely on the same page when it comes to advising people to front-load their communications, telling the reader why they should care quickly and concisely. If you add unnecessary stuff at the front end, people will tune out and move on.
Let me give you an example. Just today a client asked me to review a message they were going to send to someone who had reached out to them. That person had indicated that they wanted to have a conversion with my client. My client starts their reply with:
Dear <name>,
I hope this message finds you well. Thank you for reaching out, and I’m delighted to hear that you and <person> had a positive conversation about me. I have always held my time at <company> in high regard, and it’s heartening to know that my contributions there are still remembered. (52 words)
I suggested this instead:
Dear <name>,
Thank you for reaching out, and I’m delighted to hear that you and <person> had a positive conversation about me. It’s heartening to know that my contributions there are still remembered. (33 words)
If you think about it, you will remember all the times you have looked at an email or PowerPoint deck or article and said to yourself, “Why should I care? What’s in it for me?” Well, your reader is doing the exact same thing, and you’ll be better off if you just acknowledge that and get right to The Point.
This is an incredibly useful book that you will refer back to. Buy one for yourself and gift it to people who need it.
You know who they are.
