Have you spent a day writing a response to a word- or page-limited question in a proposal? And then spent two days eliminating the unnecessary words to bring it back within the limit? And then realised how much better the short version is?
Customers limit word and page counts for exactly this reason. They want you to get to the point, and to be clear about it.
Even the most experienced writers use default phrases that make sentences longer and more difficult to interpret. Your writing will always benefit from a second reading with a view to eliminating redundant words, false subjects and gobbledygook.
For example:
• Replace “in the event that” with “if” (redundant words)
• Instead of “It is certain that changes will need to be made”, say “We will need to make changes” (false subject)
• Eliminate formal language and replace with Plain English: “use” instead of “utilize”, “start” instead of “commence”, “before” instead of “prior to” (gobbledygook)
Keep practicing to make your writing as easy as possible for the reader to understand and remember.
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