Simplicity is Key

K.I.S.S. applies here because if it’s too long it won’t even get published. Readers don’t want fluff, bells, and whistles. Get to the point asap and offer quality information quickly. This rule is the important one and you have to give it 100% obedience. I usually have Short and Sweet written on the Word document just to remind myself of this cardinal rule. If, in the proofreading, I find any flowery language or filler, I get rid of it.

This is not a PhD paper, keep the language simple. If a 3rd grader will not understand your content, simplify it to that level. No one wants to use a thesaurus or dictionary and real studies have shown this is the preferred reading level for the consumption of vital and factual information. Make it about 400 words; you will lose your reader if it is longer.