Writing tip: Pop the balloon or make it your focus
A stroll along San Antonio’s River Walk inspired this writing tip because an out-of-place detail grabbed my eye.
A white balloon bobbed along the surface of the river. Once I spotted the balloon, I couldn’t see anything else. Not pale gray stone walls. Not the greens or browns of shrubs and trees. Not the pale blue sky.
Something similar happens to your readers when your blog post, article, or white paper includes details that don’t belong there. They get distracted. They can’t grasp your “big picture” message. Just as I couldn’t absorb the River Walk’s beauty. You can help your readers by popping your “white balloon” to remove distractions from your main message.
Alternatively, sometimes your draft’s “white balloon” is a signal that you should shift your focus to center on the balloon, as I have in this piece–and in the photo below.
Note: This post was edited on August 9 and 23.
_______________________________________________________________
Need to write better? Register for my next class on “How to Write Blog Posts People Will Read: A 5-Week Writing Class for Financial Advisors” starting May 16. You won’t get another chance to take this class until 2013.
Receive a free 32-page e-book with client communications tips when you sign up for my free monthly newsletter.
This content may not be reposted without the author’s written permission.
Related posts:
SUSAN WEINER, CFA
August 23rd, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Darren Rowse of ProBlogger seems to agree with my idea that you should consider making the white balloon the focus of your post. He makes a similar point in this recent post: http://networkedblogs.com/lrGmy
September 13th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Great explanation — the visual really helps demonstrate your point (possible inclusion in your blogging book?).
September 13th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
Thank you, Robyn! I appreciate having an enthusiastic commenter like you.
I actually thought of this post when I took this photo, which is a sign of how much I love blogging.
September 17th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
Ditto Robyn! A compelling visual analogue of how extraneous detail can obscure “the story” of a presentation or investment report, etc.
Makes the point so succinctly, I’ve posted it to my bookmarks for clients on Delicious.
September 23rd, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Thank you for your lovely compliment, Susan Becker!