3 Practical Ways to Write Conversationally

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

You’ve heard it over and over from content writing gurus: "Write like you talk."

How can you write conversationally after Mrs. Rodgers drilled proper grammatical construction into the core of your being during eighth grade language arts class?

Readers expect a conversational style when they read an email, web page, text, blog, social media post – anything online. They’re used to commenting on blogs and interacting with pop ups and apps. Conversational writing is also the norm when readers see ads, direct mail, and consumer newsletters.

You’ll be most successful at web writing and copywriting when you foster two-way interaction - that is, when you write conversationally - with your reader. You want to write in such a way that she has a discussion with you, whether it’s in her head or on the screen. 

Yes, you can make the leap with just a bit of practical help. Here are 3 of my favorite ways to write conversationally online. Call them “writing methods” or “writing techniques.” Whatever. They work!

1. Ask Questions

How do you respond when you read a question? (Made you think, didn’t I?) 

You mentally respond. Perhaps you may even type a quick answer if you’re online, on a blog, on a social media site, or reading an email. Asking questions sparks conversation in person. It does the same thing online, too. It’s an easy technique. Skim this page and see how many times I ask questions. See what I mean?

2. Tell a Story

A friend began journaling at the encouragement of her accountability partners. Two weeks later she reported back. “This journaling thing helped me see a negative attitude I had towards a co-worker. I never realized that writing down my thoughts can help so much.” 

That’s a story. (It’s true, by the way.) 

Pulled you in, didn’t it? You may identify with my friend and you may want to know more. You may want to know what was going on at my friend’s work. You may want to know what she’s journaling about now. You may want to comment about how journaling was a turning point for you, too.

The story is a hook that engages you. Engagement = conversation.

It doesn’t have to be a big story with multiple characters and several plot lines. In fact, short anecdotes work best to engage readers.

3. Offer an Invitation

Invite your reader to try something. For instance …

• Want to learn more about conversational copywriting? I wrote a page that explains the differences between traditional copywriting (writing to sell) and conversational copywriting (writing to build a relationship.)
• Or if you’re into figuring out the mechanics of online conversational writing, check out this post with some practical tips.
• You may want to check out Conversational Copywriting, a low-cost online course by online copywriting whiz Nick Usborne. This online copywriting resource shows you how to write your copy in a natural, authentic and conversational voice. (See more here.)

Do you see what just happened? I invited you to learn more. I told you where and what and who and how. When you offer your reader an invitation, you’re taking the first step in building a relationship.

Which is the whole idea behind conversational copywriting. Isn’t it?

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