The 6 Principles for Writing Messages People Won't Swipe Away

Simplifying

Simplifying communication is crucial for effective engagement. Todd Rogers emphasizes that reducing the number of requests in a message increases the likelihood of a response. He suggests that asking for a single, clear action is more effective than multiple requests, as it simplifies decision-making for the recipient 1. Brett McKay adds that organizing key information upfront prevents the reader from having to sift through unnecessary details, which can delay their response 1.

   

Responding

Making it easy for recipients to respond is another key strategy. Todd Rogers advises reducing the steps required for a response, such as pre-populating forms or providing clear options, to facilitate quicker decision-making 2. He illustrates this with a meeting scheduling example, where specifying available times simplifies the process for all parties involved 2. Additionally, Rogers highlights the importance of relevance, suggesting that allowing readers to disengage when content isn't pertinent can increase their attention when it is 3.