Can you effectively describe your product, business or story in three words?
Can you clearly state your opinion on a specific subject in three words?
Such brevity is extremely difficult. It requires surgical precision, and a sharpness of grit, brains and persistence. Most importantly, it demands an authentic and deep understanding of whatever it is you’re attempting to explain.
I’m fascinated by this “three words” exercise of over-exaggerating the need to simplify our thinking, and thereby our expressions. Like scientific curiosity; if we can understand the building block elements (e.g. atoms) of a creation, we can understand its many parts and advanced forms.
The riches of thought-leadership and persuasion go to those who can achieve this acute level of thinking and expression.
Which brings us to you.
You want your writing to penetrate deeper into the hearts and minds of your readers. Whether you’re pitching a product, selling a service or entertaining imaginations, your writing must be born from core elements and clear meaning.
Do you know what those are for you?
That’s the challenge: Describe your writing’s purpose in three words. There are no “rules” other than a word-count of three, no more and no less.
For my editing business, its purpose is: winning reader loyalty.
I’ve shared mine. Now share your three words in the comments.
Also, for bonus points, I’m curious to know what you think lies ahead for the future of books. Share your vision in three words.
My vision for the future of books? Reader commissioned stories.
What’s yours?
About Matt Gartland
The three words that describe my product? : writing without pain.
Great exercise, Matt!
I like it Daphne! Good appeal to emotions and subsequent value.
Matt
lol…Now you make me think, Sean. Cool.
Let me see…
For my business: Empowering Others’ lives.
For the future of books: Books go digital
Good work Bill. I wonder… “empowering others” how? Can you replace “lives” with something crisper and narrower?
“Books go digital” is absolutely true. What’s after that, I wonder?
Thanks!
Matt
My writing’s purpose: Struggle to victory
What lies ahead for the future of books: A mix of print and electronic. Not ready to let print completely go or electronic completely take over.
“Struggle to Victory,” I like it. More for you, or your readers?
Providing quality words
I might put that on my business card. Thanks for the inspiration Matt.
Nice job Wade! Love the angle. And yes, put that on your business card :)
Matt
Wonderful Matt! I like the way you think! :)
- Unique, witty, compelling
- Interactive, divergent, expansive
Let me know if that counts as cheating: ;)
Great exercise.
Not cheating at all. In fact, I was waiting for someone to take that approach :D Well done, particularly with your thoughts on the future of books.
Matt
My mission : thrive on imperfection
Books : voices previously unheard
Loved this … thanks x
“Voices previously unheard” <- love this Katie! Well done :)
Improve People’s Lives
Always a noble aim. Thanks Bryan!
My writing philosophy is: Make people care.
Make them care about the story, about you, about themselves in a different way, about anything – get them involved. I love connecting with readers. It’s my favorite thing in writing, maybe.
The reason that Yesterday’s Gone is working so well, when so many people said “you can’t do serials” anymore, is because people care about the characters and the world we’ve made.
As for the future of books, I like yours, Matt.
Mine is: interactive, deeper immersion
Here here David! Connecting with the readers is more important than ever for authors, IMHO. Since readers are the new prominent gatekeepers to author success in the new book economy, readers must forge these relationships early and keep them alive. And per your enthusiasm, doing so must be genuine.
I like your future of books insight too!
The purpose of my writing business: engage inspire results
Future of books: enveloping the uninitiated
Thank you! Loved the exercise. Susan
Glad you enjoyed it Susan! Liked your thought on the future of books!
Matt
Make people think.
Nice exercise!
My writing: Supplying content needs
Future of books: Digital not physical
Thanks,
Peggy
Thanks for sharing Peggy!
For my Freelance Writing Project Master service: Writing with results
As for my view on the future of writing? Boundless Limitless Profitable
Thanks for the focus exercise! Love the post :)