A Conversation about Conversational Writing Connie Reece IABC San Antonio • November 27, 2007

What Is Social Media?

Technology Social Computing Tools Blogs Wikis Podcasts Video

Social Computing Tools

Blogs

Wikis

Podcasts

Video

Media Democratization of information Low cost of entry We are all publishers.

Democratization of information

Low cost of entry

We are all publishers.

Sociology Relationships It’s not about the tools; it’s about people.

Relationships

It’s not about the tools; it’s about people.

http://everydotconnects.com

100 voices, 1 conversation

What Is Social Media? Traditional media—communications, information and entertainment— have not been replaced. But they are being augmented by social media, with the reader, listener or viewer becoming a co-creator and co-publisher of content.

Traditional media—communications, information and entertainment—

have not been replaced.

But they are being augmented by social media, with the reader, listener or viewer becoming a co-creator and co-publisher of content.

Conversational Marketing

Conversational Marketing the art of putting a human face on a company or brand listening to your customers’ opinions, viewpoints and questions engaging them in conversation around your product or service

the art of putting a human face on a company or brand

listening to your customers’ opinions, viewpoints and questions

engaging them in conversation around your product or service

Conversational Marketing Above all, it requires speaking in an authentic voice, with a degree of transparency that has hitherto been anathema to most corporate executives.

Above all, it requires speaking

in an authentic voice,

with a degree of transparency

that has hitherto been anathema

to most corporate executives.

Conversational Writing

Keywords

The Don’t Dawdle Dichotomy Draw the reader in … but make your point quickly.

Less Is More Edit . . . Focus . . . Edit . . .

Gluttony Is a Cardinal Sin No buzzwords No jargon No bloated language

Use Visual Cues Shorter paragraphs Graphics Bulleted lists

Have a Conversation Write as if you’re speaking directly to the reader … without hemming and hawing.

Know Thy Reader Maude & Elroy Donor 1234 Main St. Hometown, ST 56789

Keep ’em Reading Every story has a beginning middle end. Use transitions.

Be original. Be passionate. Be engaging.

READABILITY The Art of Plain Talk by Rudolf Flesch