Simplicity Revisited - the KISS Formula
So, here's where I was going with my thoughts on Simplicity, as started in my last blog. I mentioned the KISS formula:
Keep It Simple Stupid
As anyone who has spent time in the training, bootcamp or researching blog writing how-to's - knows that it is suggested that you write between 750 and 2000 words for each post. I personally get come up with between 500 and 1500. Sometimes more. Sometimes less.
But, to me, the worst thing you can do is to try and fill out your posts with a lot of unnecessary verbiage just to fill out the page.
A Google online search shows that the definition of verbiage is ver·bi·age is "speech or writing that uses too many words or excessively technical expressions."
And that's all I'm trying to say. Don't get caught up in mumbo jumbo and technical jargon for the sake of making your posts longer. It will only become less readable and you'll end up putting your audience to sleep before they finish reading your blog.
Haven't you ever nodded out in front of the computer? Do you wish to be the reason someone else does? Don't you want a KISS before you fall asleep?
Yeah. Me too.
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Recent Comments
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Way back I was a Mfg Manager for a small high tech company. I still remember how proud I was of myself when the VP of Mfg offered me the job.
I hired a Production Worker who seemed way over qualified. He was completing his Masters in English and really needed the job to complete his education so I hired him.
One day we were talking out on the floor and he said Dennis ... you write with too much heva-la-hova-la. He was referring to a Manufacturing Procedure I had written. Say what? That was Mike's term for writing with too much verbiage.
I've never forgotten that. I call it my HLHL edit. It was great advice. Mike went on to get his PhD in English and later became an English professor at our local university.
Reminds me of a very funny stand up comic friend of mine. I always had a tendency to crack wise a lot (also laugh at my own jokes out of nervousness a lot, too).
One day he said to me, "Hey Hal, you know, one out of every ten of your jokes are actually pretty funny lines. If you could filter out the first nine things out of everything that comes out of your mouth, you could be a good comedian.
Like you with your HLHL Edit, I took that advice to heart. Though I never pursued a career in comedy (perhaps I should have), I do take the time to filter out most of the "throw-away lines" :-)
Great point Hal,
I seem to be averaging about 1100-1300 words; initially, I would try to "fill er up" if the post was under 1000, but someone told me that sonetimes they have posts under 500 words, others over 2000! When I read that, I decided not to stress it so much, and now, the words flow more easily.
Oh, and I prefer to say "Smarty" rather than "Stupid", since a lot of people tend to overthink things. Plus, I'm already reading "Pinterest for Dummies" so that's more than enough to deflate my ego, without adding "Stupid" to the mix, lol.
I have thick skin. I never took it personally the first time I was introduced to the acronym "KISS". I understand the need to be more diplomatic, though, so, of you're more comfortable with "smarty" I can respect that. The important thing is that the message itself iis understood. So many write more than they have to just to fill out the page, and lose their potential audience.
You only need to write as many words as it takes to tell your story or make your point. That's the bottom line.
Well said Hal....
Oh, and I personally don't really care whether it's "smarty" or "stupid", like I said, I'm reading a " Dummies" series. I've learned not to take myself too seriously, but even in jest, there are just some words I would never use. Just my preference, but I agree with the heart of your article Hal.
Hi Hal, love the post. I totally argrre with you on this. I totally don't like pushing the pen too far. It'll only end up to be a jumbled mess.
Jerome
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That is true. Extensive blog makes one loose interest.T