"Write Tight(er)"—LavaCon, Oct 12, 2014

1. Write Tight(er): A Time-Saving, Pain-Free Technique for Selling Yourself, Your Company, and Your Products through Your Words Marcia Riefer Johnston @MarciaRJohnston #LavaCon

2. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

4. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

5. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? How much difference can conciseness make? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

6. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? How much difference can conciseness make? How does conciseness help me sell? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

7. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? How much difference can conciseness make? How does conciseness help me sell? How can I write more concisely? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

8. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? How much difference can conciseness make? How does conciseness help me sell? How can I write more concisely? Fast, pain-free technique #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

9. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? How much difference can conciseness make? How does conciseness help me sell? How can I write more concisely? WORKSHOP Fast, pain-free technique #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

10. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? How much difference can conciseness make? How does conciseness help me sell? How can I write more concisely? WORKSHOP Three-minute video Fast, pain-free technique #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

11. #LavaCon #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

12. #LavaCon No headline? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

13. No bullets? #LavaCon No headline? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

14. No bullets? No verbiage? #LavaCon No headline? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

15. No bullets? No verbiage? #LavaCon No headline? How concise! #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

16. No bullets? No verbiage? #LavaCon No headline? How concise! #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

18. Words WordsWords Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words Words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

19. “Most often I talk about content as text because text is everywhere … text is different … text is messy as hell.” ! —Kristina Halvorson Content Strategy for the Web #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

20. “The number-one complaint I’ve heard from technical publications managers is, ‘Much of my staff is about to retire, and I’m having trouble finding anyone who can write correct grammar and simple, concise, accurate text.’” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com ! —Maxwell Hoffmann Intercom magazine, Society for Technical Communication, Jan. 2013

21. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

22. What does conciseness mean (and not mean)? Minimalism #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

23. Concise means “minimal.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

24. Concise means “minimal.” Not short. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

25. Concise means “minimal.” Not short. “Cut me a short string.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

26. Concise means “minimal.” Not short. “Cut me a short string.” Huh? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

27. Concise means “minimal.” Not short. “Cut me a short string.” Huh? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

28. Concise means “minimal.” Not short. “Cut me a short string.” Huh? Make text (like string) as long as needed. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

29. Make text, like string, as long as needed. @MarciaRJohnston #LavaCon #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

31. Concise means “minimal.” Not robospeak. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

32. Concise means “minimal.” Not robospeak. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

33. Concise means “minimal.” Not robospeak. Push button. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

34. Concise means “minimal.” Not robospeak. Push button. Push the button. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

35. Concise means “minimal.” Not robospeak. Push button. Push the button. Keep the the. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

37. Concise means “minimal.” Not gutted for mobile. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

38. Concise means “minimal.” Not gutted for mobile. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

39. Concise means “minimal.” Not gutted for mobile. Don’t think, “Smartphone users won’t need that.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

40. Concise means “minimal.” Not gutted for mobile. Don’t think, “Smartphone users won’t need that.” They will. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

41. Concise means “minimal.” Not gutted for mobile. Don’t think, “Smartphone users won’t need that.” They will. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

42. Example #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

43. Example #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

44. No discussion board? Example #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

45. No calendar? No discussion board? Example #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

46. Example Concise ≠ Gutted No calendar? No discussion board? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

47. Minimal. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

48. Minimal. Enough to meet your audiences’ needs #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

49. Minimal. Enough to meet your audiences’ needs Enough to accomplish your purpose #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

50. Minimal. Enough to meet your audiences’ needs Enough to accomplish your purpose No more #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

51. Minimal. Enough to meet your audiences’ needs Enough to accomplish your purpose No more No less #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

52. Write Tight(er): A Time-Saving, Pain-Free Technique for Selling Yourself, Your Company, or Your Products through Your Words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

53. Audience needs: “What’s in it for me?” Write Tight(er): A Time-Saving, Pain-Free Technique for Selling Yourself, Your Company, or Your Products through Your Words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

54. Audience needs: “What’s in it for me?” My purpose: Get you here Write Tight(er): A Time-Saving, Pain-Free Technique for Selling Yourself, Your Company, or Your Products through Your Words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

55. Audience needs: “What’s in it for me?” Write Tight(er): A Time-Saving, Pain-Free Technique for Selling Yourself, No more My purpose: Get you here Your Company, or Your Products through Your Words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

56. Audience needs: “What’s in it for me?” My purpose: Get you here Write Tight(er): A Time-Saving, Pain-Free Technique for Selling Yourself, Your Company, or Your Products through Your Words No more No less #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

62. Questions, please. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

63. How much difference can conciseness make? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

64. How much difference can conciseness make? “Measured usability was dramatically higher for the concise version [of the website]—58% better.” ! Nielsen Norman Group www.nngroup.com/articles/ how-users-read-on-the-web #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

65. How does conciseness help me sell? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

66. How does conciseness help me sell? Translation costs #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

67. How does conciseness help me sell? Translation costs Readability #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

68. How does conciseness help me sell? Translation costs Readability Think usability, engagement. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

70. Write Tight (er) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

73. “But I already write concisely.” This is your toothbrush when it’s new. The blue bristles are blue all the way to their tips. This is your toothbrush when it’s ready to replace. The blue bristles have turned half white. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

74. Readers want this. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

75. Especially if you translate. Philips Sonicare™ toothbrush #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

76. “But my stuff isn’t translated.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

77. “But my stuff isn’t translated.” Get ready! #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

78. How much can a word cost? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

79. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

80. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. 6 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

81. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. 6 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

82. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

83. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

84. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

85. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

86. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

87. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

88. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

89. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): 1 sentence, 1 language #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

90. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): $ 0.25 1 sentence, 1 language #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

91. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): $ 0.25 1 sentence, 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 1 language #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

92. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): $ 0.25 1 sentence, 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 1 language * the size of a Harry Potter novel #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

93. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): $ 0.25 1 sentence, 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 1 language * the size of a Harry Potter novel $ 2,500.00 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

94. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): $ 0.25 1 sentence, 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 25 languages * the size of a Harry Potter novel $ 2,500.00 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

95. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): $ 0.25 1 sentence, 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 25 languages * the size of a Harry Potter novel $ 2,500.00 $ 62,500.00 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

96. How much can a word cost? You may be needing a loan. You may need a loan. 6 words 5 words 1 word Translation cost (or savings): $ 0.25 1 sentence, 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 1 language 10,000 sentences,* 25 languages * the size of a Harry Potter novel $ 2,500.00 $ 62,500.00 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

98. per word? How so? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

99. per word? How so? Close enough #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

100. per word? How so? Close enough Varies with the language #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

101. per word? How so? Close enough Varies with the language Depends on the translation memory (database) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

102. per word? How so? Close enough Varies with the language Depends on the translation memory (database) unrecognized word #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

103. per word? How so? Close enough Varies with the language Depends on the translation memory (database) unrecognized word Full price #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

104. per word? How so? Close enough Varies with the language Depends on the translation memory (database) unrecognized word “fuzzy” match Full price #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

105. per word? How so? Close enough Varies with the language Depends on the translation memory (database) unrecognized word “fuzzy” match Full price Pay less #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

106. per word? How so? Close enough Varies with the language Depends on the translation memory (database) unrecognized word “fuzzy” match “perfect” match Full price Pay less #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

107. per word? How so? Close enough Varies with the language Depends on the translation memory (database) unrecognized word “fuzzy” match “perfect” match You still pay! Full price Pay less #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

108. Whether or not you translate, #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

109. Whether or not you translate, whatever size your page or screen, #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

110. Whether or not you translate, whatever size your page or screen, you owe it to yourself to ask … #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

111. How can I write more concisely? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

112. Dump these words!* #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

113. Dump these words!* *unless you need them #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

114. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

115. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

116. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

117. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

118. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

119. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

120. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

121. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

122. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

123. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

124. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

125. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

126. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) particular #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

127. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) particular verbiage #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

128. Dump these words!* *unless you need them Fast, pain-free technique weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) particular verbiage any other verbiage or unneeded words that you can pitch #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

132. be-verbs #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

133. be be-verbs #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

134. is be be-verbs #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

135. is be are be-verbs #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

136. is be are be-verbs am #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

137. is be are be-verbs was am #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

138. is be are be-verbs was has been am #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

139. is be will be are be-verbs was has been am #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

140. is be will have been being will be are be-verbs was has been am #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

141. be-verb. Any form of the verb to be— namely, am, are, be, been, being, is, was, and were—whether used as an auxiliary verb or as a main verb. —Bryan Garner Garner’s Modern American Usage #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

144. See be-verbs. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

148. Start seeing be-verbs! @MarciaRJohnston #LavaCon #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

150. Examples #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

151. “Bias tape has the advantage of being able to be applied smoothly around curves as well as straight.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

157. The fix might not be self-evident. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

158. The fix might not be self-evident. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

159. The fix might not be self-evident. You have to think. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

160. The fix might not be self-evident. You have to think. (Not too painful.) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

166. “A scheme of which every part promises delight can never be successful.” —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

167. “A scheme of which every part promises delight can never be successful.” —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

170. Audit logs are proof that no data breach has occurred. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

171. Audit logs are proof that no data breach has occurred. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

172. Our team wants to be predictive. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

173. Our team wants to be predictive. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

174. Our team wants to be predictive. What does the team want to do? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

175. Skydiving was fun. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

176. Skydiving was fun. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

177. Skydiving was fun. What happened? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

178. Use be-verbs when they serve a purpose. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

180. what? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

181. is #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

182. “Write when there is something that you know; and not before; and not too damned much after.” —Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

183. “Write when there is something that you know; and not before; and not too damned much after.” —Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

184. www.hemingwayapp.com #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

188. What it is is… #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

189. “What was found was that access points on maps were not reflective or accurate for where they are.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

190. “What was found was that access points on maps were not reflective or accurate for where they are.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

191. “ There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” (attributed to a one-time US secretary of defense) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

192. “ There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” (attributed to a one-time US secretary of defense) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

193. “ There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” (attributed to a one-time US secretary of defense) We don’t know diddly— #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

194. “ There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.” (attributed to a one-time US secretary of defense) We don’t know diddly— except to avoid (most) be-verbs. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

195. Be-verbs are everywhere. See? @MarciaRJohnston #LavaCon #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

196. Be-verbs are everywhere. See? @MarciaRJohnston #LavaCon #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

199. Now available Start seeing be-verbs. HowToWriteEverything.com #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

200. Start seeing be-verbs. HowToWriteEverything.com #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

201. Barbara Beresford, Minneapolis #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

205. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

206. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

207. Jane fully expects a big publisher to snap up her first novel. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

208. Jane fully expects a big publisher to snap up her first novel. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

209. We hope that people will actively participate. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

210. We hope that people will actively participate. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

211. Please listen carefully to the following choices so that we can immediately direct your call to the appropriate person. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

214. Mahatma Gandhi truly changed the world. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

215. Mahatma Gandhi truly changed the world. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

216. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

217. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

218. Fred likes his toast very dry. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

219. Fred likes his toast very dry. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

220. Fred likes his toast very dry. Fred likes his toast so dry. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

221. Fred likes his toast very dry. Fred likes his toast so dry. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

222. Fred likes his toast very dry. Fred likes his toast so dry. Fred likes such dry toast. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

223. Fred likes his toast very dry. Fred likes his toast so dry. Fred likes such dry toast. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

224. Exception: the doge meme #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

229. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

230. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

231. Do not use negative phrasing. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

232. Do not use negative phrasing. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

233. If you want viewers to focus on something, do not show faces looking away from it. (This image is from an eye-tracking study by James Breeze as cited in Garr Reynolds’s book Presentation Zen.) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

234. If you want viewers to focus on something, do not show faces looking away from it. (This image is from an eye-tracking study by James Breeze as cited in Garr Reynolds’s book Presentation Zen.) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

235. The Oregon Ducks have not lost a “Civil War” game to their archrivals, the Beavers, in seven years. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

239. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

240. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

241. Given the fact that Joan understood topic-based writing, everyone went to her with questions. Concept Task Reference #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

242. Given the fact that Joan understood topic-based writing, everyone went to her with questions. Concept Task Reference #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

243. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

244. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

245. It's just that I just say just a lot. I just have the habit, so it’s just hard to stop saying it. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

246. It's just that I just say just a lot. I just have the habit, so it’s just hard to stop saying it. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

247. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

248. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

249. Michael Noer handed the six-year-old the tablet. With no instruction, and never having seen a computer, the boy began to swipe the screen, launch apps, and play a pinball game. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

250. Michael Noer handed the six-year-old the tablet. With no instruction, and never having seen a computer, the boy began to swipe the screen, launch apps, and play a pinball game. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

251. Try to focus on breathing. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

252. Try to focus on breathing. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

253. “Stop trying to hit me, and hit me.” —Morpheus to Neo #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

254. “Stop trying to hit me, and hit me.” —Morpheus to Neo #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

255. “Do or do not. There is no try.” —Yoda #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

256. “Do or do not. There is no try.” —Yoda #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

257. “When our tools don’t work, we tend to blame ourselves for being too stupid or not reading the manual or having too fat fingers.” —Lev Grossman, Time #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

258. “When our tools don’t work, we tend to blame ourselves for being too stupid or not reading the manual or having too fat fingers.” —Lev Grossman, Time #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

259. In order to divert 34,000 tons of food scraps from landfills, Portland created a curbside-pickup program for compostable waste. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

260. In order to divert 34,000 tons of food scraps from landfills, Portland created a curbside-pickup program for compostable waste. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

261. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

262. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

263. Jones and Caruthers have worked here for a long period of time. Sketch by Brian Poulsen. Used with permission. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

264. Jones and Caruthers have worked here for a long period of time. Sketch by Brian Poulsen. Used with permission. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

265. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

266. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

267. In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

268. In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

269. Since… In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

270. Since… In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. In spite of his poor health, Samuel attended his niece’s graduation. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

271. Since… In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. In spite of his poor health, Samuel attended his niece’s graduation. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

272. Since… In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. Despite… In spite of his poor health, Samuel attended his niece’s graduation. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

273. Since… In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. Despite… In spite of his poor health, Samuel attended his niece’s graduation. I prefer that TV in terms of cost. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

274. Since… In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. Despite… In spite of his poor health, Samuel attended his niece’s graduation. I prefer that TV in terms of cost. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

275. Since… In light of my lack of cash, we stopped at an ATM. Despite… In spite of his poor health, Samuel attended his niece’s graduation. …that cheaper TV. I prefer that TV in terms of cost. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

276. “The word of is, in anything other than small doses, among the surest indications of flabby writing.” —Bryan Garner Garner’s Modern American Usage #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

277. “The word of is, in anything other than small doses, among the surest indications of flabby writing.” —Bryan Garner Garner’s Modern American Usage #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

278. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

279. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

280. The proverbial needle in the haystack #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

283. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

284. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

285. Our company understands the pros and cons of all these different technologies. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

286. Our company understands the pros and cons of all these different technologies. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

287. Steve Jobs’s name appears on 212 different Apple patents. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

288. Steve Jobs’s name appears on 212 different Apple patents. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

289. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

290. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) particular #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

291. Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt, has a particular belief that Android’s open platform leads to more options and more consumer choice. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

292. Google’s CEO, Eric Schmidt, has a particular belief that Android’s open platform leads to more options and more consumer choice. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

293. While Lady Gaga’s particular sense of style puzzles many, millions of fans say that her affirming theme of bravery and kindness has changed their lives. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

294. While Lady Gaga’s particular sense of style puzzles many, millions of fans say that her affirming theme of bravery and kindness has changed their lives. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

295. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) particular #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

296. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) particular verbiage #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

297. We’ll throw some verbiage in there. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

298. We’ll throw some verbiage in there. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

301. Want to make this technique even faster? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

304. Try this. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

305. Another translation example #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

306. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

307. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. 6 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

308. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. 6 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

309. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. Your content needs updating. 6 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

310. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. Your content needs updating. 6 words 4 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

311. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. Your content needs updating. 6 words 4 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

312. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. Your content needs updating. 6 words 4 words 2 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

313. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. Your content needs updating. 6 words 4 words 2 words #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

314. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. Your content needs updating. 6 words 4 words 2 words Translation savings: 1 sentence, 1 language $ 0.50 ! 10,000 sentences, 1 language ! 10,000 sentences, 25 languages $ 5,000.00 $ 125,000.00 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

315. Another translation example Updates are needed to your content. Your content needs updating. 6 words 4 words 2 words Translation savings: 1 sentence, 1 language $ 0.50 ! 10,000 sentences, 1 language ! 10,000 sentences, 25 languages $ 5,000.00 $ 125,000.00 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

316. It’s worth noting that most readers do not want to wade through huge volumes of information to find what they need. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

322. It’s worth noting that most readers do not want to wade through huge volumes of information to find what they need. Nobody wants to wade through volumes. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

323. It’s worth noting that most readers do not want to wade through huge volumes of information to find what they need. Nobody wants to wade through volumes. 15-word reduction x 10,000 sentences x 25 languages saves ... #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

324. It’s worth noting that most readers do not want to wade through huge volumes of information to find what they need. Nobody wants to wade through volumes. 15-word reduction x 10,000 sentences x 25 languages saves ... $ 937,500.00 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

325. It’s worth noting that most readers do not want to wade through huge volumes of information to find what they need. Nobody wants to wade through volumes. 15-word reduction x 10,000 sentences x 25 languages saves ... A cool mill. $ 937,500.00 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

326. This is your toothbrush when it’s new. The blue bristles are blue all the way to their tips. This is your toothbrush when it’s ready to replace. The blue bristles have turned half white. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

329. This is your toothbrush when it’s new. The blue bristles are blue all the way to their tips. This is your toothbrush when it’s ready to replace. The blue bristles have turned half white. Bet you didn’t miss the headline I deleted. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

330. It’s mind-boggling to consider what TIGHTENING that dramatic would do to IMPROVES KEYWORD DENSITY. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

335. Adjectives • absolutely certain, absolutely essential, absolutely guaranteed, completely necessary, totally sure • bald-headed • best ever, first ever • blue in color, few in number, long in duration, nubbly in texture, round in shape, slovenly in appearance, short in height, slow in speed, small in size, tall in stature • booked solid • exact same, same exact, same identical • filled to capacity • incredible to believe, visible to the eye, warm to the touch #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

336. Nouns • actual experience, actual fact • added bonus • advance notice, advance planning, advance preview, advance reservations, advance warning • all-time favorite, all-time record • alternative choice • anonymous stranger • annual anniversary • armed gunman • artificial prosthesis • autobiography of her own life, biography of his life #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

337. Nouns • actual experience, actual fact • added bonus • advance notice, advance planning, advance preview, advance reservations, advance warning • all-time favorite, all-time record • alternative choice • anonymous stranger • annual anniversary • armed gunman • artificial prosthesis • autobiography of her own life, biography of his life And that’s just the a’s. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

338. Verbs • add an additional • aid and abet, cease and desist, pick and choose • allow you to be able to • always include • ask the question • assemble together, attach together, blend together, collaborate together, combine together, confer together, connect together, cooperate together, fuse together, gather together, join together, integrate together, meet together, merge together, mingle together, mix together, pool together, share together, splice together #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

339. Odds and Ends • 6 a.m. in the morning, 10 p.m. in the evening, twelve noon, twelve midnight • and etc. • ATM machine, GOP party, GRE exam, HIV virus, ISBN number, LCD display, PIN number, RAM memory, UPC code—and my favorite: Please RSVP #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

340. More on redundancy … www.HowToWriteEverything.com/ Annals-of-Redundancy-Annals/ #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

358. Or… “Unleash your creativity.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

359. Or… “Unleash your creativity.” #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

360. Or… “Unleash your creativity.” Savings: 79% #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

362. YOUR WORDS #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

363. Dump these words!* *unless you need them weak be-verbs (is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are) -ly words (& other vapid adverbs) very, such, so (& other empty intensifiers) not, no (& other negative words) the fact that just begin to, try to, tend to, in order to period of time in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general) proverbial different (as in many different, 36 different) particular verbiage any other verbiage or unneeded words that you can pitch #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

364. Word count Cost to translate into 1 language 25 languages x 10,000 sentences (Harry Potter novel) BEFORE Your original text here with more words than you need. 10 $2.50 $62.50 $625,000.00 AFTER Your tighter text here. 4 $1.00 $25.00 $250,000.00 Savings 60% $1.50 $37.50 $375,000.00 Spreadsheet available on request. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

365. Story time

366. Story time Water dispenser

367. Story time Buttons Water dispenser

368. Story time Quick reference Buttons Water dispenser

370. Concise = good ... right? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

371. Ready for a video? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

372. Ready for a video? (You’ll have to pretend.) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

373. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

374. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick (Smart guy!) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

375. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass (Smart guy!) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

376. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass (Smart guy!) Instructions #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

377. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass (Smart guy!) Instructions Button #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

378. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass (Smart guy!) Instructions Button Water #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

379. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass Dump (Smart guy!) Instructions Button Water #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

380. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass Dump (Smart guy!) Instructions Button Water Read again #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

381. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass Dump (Smart guy!) Instructions Button Water Read again Exasperation #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

382. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass Dump (Smart guy!) Instructions Button Water Read again Exasperation Try again #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

383. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass Dump (Smart guy!) Instructions Button Water Read again Exasperation Try again Try again #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

384. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass Instructions Button Water Dump Dump again (Smart guy!) Read again Exasperation Try again Try again #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

385. Hey, Rick, would you bring me a glass of room-temperature water? Rick Glass Instructions Button Water Dump Read again Exasperation Try again Try again Dump again Try again (Smart guy!) #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

388. If conciseness doesn’t fix it, change what you’re saying. @MarciaRJohnston #LavaCon #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

390. “A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all sentences short or avoid all detail and treat subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.” ! — William Strunk Jr. #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

391. “Reader-users read differently than their forebears—they read Twitter to find links to long articles that will interest them; they switch between phone calls and the Kindle app. And yes, they watch video, play games, and listen to music. But language still knits it all together, and words have more work to do than they ever did before.” ! —Paul Ford Foreword to Karen McGrane's Content Strategy for Mobile, 2012 #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

392. For more on concise writing and much, much more #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

395. powerful For more on concise writing and much, much more #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

396. powerful For more on concise writing and much, much more #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

397. powerful For more on concise writing and much, much more “I’ve longed for a book on writing to recommend to clients and colleagues … and this is it!” —Kristina Halvorson #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

399. Think this is small? #LavaCon @MarciaRJohnston Write Tight(er) HowToWriteEverything.com

"Write Tight(er)"—LavaCon, Oct 12, 2014

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"Write Tight(er)"—LavaCon, Oct 12, 2014