What is the main message of Smart Brevity?

The main message of Smart Brevity is effective communication through concise and impactful writing.

Who is the author of Smart Brevity?

The authors of Smart Brevity are Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz.

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Smart Brevity Book Summary - Smart Brevity Book explained in key points

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Smart Brevity summary

Name: Smart Brevity
Rating: 4.1 (238 reviews)
Author: Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen & Roy Schwartz

Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen & Roy Schwartz

The Power of Saying More with Less

4.1 (238 ratings)

17 mins

Brief summary

Smart Brevity by Jim Vandehei is an eye-opening book that explores the power of concise communication in a fast-paced world. It offers valuable insights and practical tips for effectively delivering messages in a clear and compelling manner.

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Table of Contents

Smart Brevity
Summary of 6 key ideas

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Key idea 1 of 6

What’s in it for me? Master the art of short but impactful communication.

Remember when “You’ve got mail” was exciting? Now, your inbox and phone are most likely like overzealous salespeople, constantly flooding you with words and pings that turn your brain into a jumbled warehouse of information overload.

That’s what living in the age of instant communication is like. People compulsively check phones, scroll feeds, and skim content in an addictive pursuit of dopamine hits. This exacerbates their inability to focus or retain information. Yet despite less available attention and the changing landscape, traditional forms of communication haven’t evolved. Professional communications continue pumping out verbose emails, articles, and books as if it were still 1980. The result is billions of wasted words.

Smart brevity is the solution – a communication style adapted to how modern minds actually consume content in the age of fractured attention. This Blink shows you how brevity cuts through the noise to deliver impactful ideas and recognition, helping you communicate what matters while freeing your mind from word overload.

What smart brevity is

Think back to a time when you heard a story that meandered so far from the point, you forgot what it was about. This is the pitfall of polluting good ideas with needless verbosity. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Unfortunately, almost everyone is guilty of this. People, most especially journalists, measure their self-worth by word counts, when the truth is, readers don’t often read the entire thing, only a few paragraphs. This is why it’s essential to make news focused on your readers’ needs rather than your ego.

Enter smart brevity.

This approach to communication is about framing thoughts concisely. It’s a system that allows you to say more with less, combining smart ideas with brevity.

The power of smart brevity lies in its ability to transform your writing from unnoticed to vital and memorable. Whether you’re a student, a salesperson, a CEO, or anyone in between, this method unveils the secrets to breaking through the noise. It makes communication more organized and teaches you that brevity builds clarity and impact in a world where time is of the essence.

But, here’s the catch: brevity doesn’t mean omitting important facts or oversimplifying. Yes, you have to be short, but don’t be shallow.

Sure, enjoyable lengthy prose still has its place, but for communicating vital info today, radically shorter, crisper delivery is needed to have people understand and remember. You need to convey maximum value in minimum time. Imagine specifically who you’re speaking to, tailor your message tightly to them, and ask yourself, what the one key thing you want them to remember is. State it clearly, directly, and plainly. Then stop talking. As PR executive Lisa Ross wisely puts it, “Just say what you mean, sincerely and short.” Authentic communication that’s brief and to the point makes people want to listen and remember, so stay focused on your audience and objective and don’t hide behind extra words.

Putting smart brevity into practice can be a game-changer. It boosts efficiency, makes you a clearer communicator, and helps you stand out on social media by elevating only the most critical points. The best result? Crisper expression of and alignment around what matters most.

There are four key elements to smart brevity that you need to apply to make every word count. And you’ll find out what they are in the following sections.

Element #1: The tease

Picture this: You’re at a party, and someone starts a story with “So, I was filing my taxes …” Snooze fest, right? Openings in writing are like the first line of a good party anecdote – they need to grab attention, or you’ll lose your audience to the snack table. Even the best content can’t save a piece with a boring opening. So, how do you craft one that grips your audience from the get-go?

Let’s dive into the art of the tease, the first element of smart brevity. This isn’t just about crafting a headline or a subject line; it’s the first line of anything you write, from emails to essays. The goal? To immediately snatch the reader’s attention. Remember, people often decide to read further based only on the headline.

Element #2: The lede

If the first sentence of an article were a person, you’d want it to be that charismatic friend who can pull everyone toward them and make you go, “Yes, I want to hang out with you.”

That’s how powerful the “lede” – the second element of smart brevity – is. The lede is your opening sentence, a carefully constructed hook that draws your reader into the heart of your narrative. Its goal is to deliver something unexpected or valuable in a concise, punchy manner that helps readers quickly grasp what your content is about. This lede should be one strong, succinct sentence, written in as few words as possible. Any extra fluff only distracts and confuses.

Element #3: The context

So you’ve just crafted an intriguing opening for your piece, skillfully drawing your reader in with a compelling tease and an informative lede. But what comes next?

This is where the art of providing context takes center stage. You need to avoid the assumption that your reader is already in the know. They’re actually looking for more than just facts; they want to understand the why behind them. That’s why you need to spell out the importance of the information in a brisk, straightforward way. A couple of clear sentences explaining the relevance can prevent confusion and keep them engaged.

Element #4: Go deeper

Admit it, you’ve skimmed over articles faster than a kid dodging broccoli. It’s a common habit that your readers do too, but there’s a crafty technique you can use to keep them hooked just a bit longer.

That’s the fourth element of smart brevity: the “Go deeper” section. This is the last part of your piece and the one that balances brevity with substance. The idea is to present the context upfront and then invite the reader to explore further if they wish. It’s like offering a gateway to a deeper understanding, but only for those who choose to walk through it. By providing the option to delve deeper, you empower your audience. They can either quickly grasp the essence or dive into the details.

Applying smart brevity at work

Are your emails, speeches, meetings, and other work-related communication often greeted with the enthusiasm of a dentist appointment? Then, it’s time to switch to smart brevity.

Mastering this art can elevate your career and change how you’re perceived at work. After all, in a world where managers are drowning in unread messages and rambling reports, they’re starting to value employees who can cut through the noise with clear, concise information.

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What is Smart Brevity about?

Smart Brevity (2022) offers a guide to effective communication in an age of information overload. It emphasizes the importance of conveying ideas succinctly and clearly and provides practical strategies to streamline communication across various platforms, from emails and meetings to presentations and social media.

Smart Brevity Review

Smart Brevity (2021) is an insightful book that explores the art of concise communication, making it a worthwhile read for anyone seeking to improve their writing skills. Here's what sets this book apart:

Packed with practical tips and techniques, it equips readers with the tools needed to convey their ideas effectively in a time-efficient manner.
By analyzing various communication styles and incorporating real-world examples, the book offers valuable insights into crafting compelling messages across different platforms.
With its engaging anecdotes and comprehensive breakdown of communication strategies, Smart Brevity remains captivating throughout, ensuring that readers won't find it the least bit boring.

Who should read Smart Brevity?

Professionals seeking effective communication skills
Entrepreneurs in digital media and journalism
Anyone interested in concise writing techniques

About the Author

Jim VandeHei is a well-known media entrepreneur who cofounded Axios and Politico, both of which are renowned for their impactful and concise reporting style.

Mike Allen, a former White House correspondent, is a cofounder of Axios and author of the company’s newsletters.

Roy Schwartz, also a cofounder of Axios, is the former executive of Politico and a renowned speaker.

Categories with Smart Brevity

Money & Investments Productivity Personal Development Communication Skills

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