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by Robin Sharma
The Power of Saying More with Less
Smart Brevity by Jim Vandehei is an eye-opening book that explores the power of concise communication in a fast-paced world. It offers valuable insights and practical tips for effectively delivering messages in a clear and compelling manner.
Think back to a time when you heard a story that meandered so far from the point, you forgot what it was about. This is the pitfall of polluting good ideas with needless verbosity. It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Unfortunately, almost everyone is guilty of this. People, most especially journalists, measure their self-worth by word counts, when the truth is, readers don’t often read the entire thing, only a few paragraphs. This is why it’s essential to make news focused on your readers’ needs rather than your ego.
Enter smart brevity.
This approach to communication is about framing thoughts concisely. It’s a system that allows you to say more with less, combining smart ideas with brevity.
The power of smart brevity lies in its ability to transform your writing from unnoticed to vital and memorable. Whether you’re a student, a salesperson, a CEO, or anyone in between, this method unveils the secrets to breaking through the noise. It makes communication more organized and teaches you that brevity builds clarity and impact in a world where time is of the essence.
But, here’s the catch: brevity doesn’t mean omitting important facts or oversimplifying. Yes, you have to be short, but don’t be shallow.
Sure, enjoyable lengthy prose still has its place, but for communicating vital info today, radically shorter, crisper delivery is needed to have people understand and remember. You need to convey maximum value in minimum time. Imagine specifically who you’re speaking to, tailor your message tightly to them, and ask yourself, what the one key thing you want them to remember is. State it clearly, directly, and plainly. Then stop talking. As PR executive Lisa Ross wisely puts it, “Just say what you mean, sincerely and short.” Authentic communication that’s brief and to the point makes people want to listen and remember, so stay focused on your audience and objective and don’t hide behind extra words.
Putting smart brevity into practice can be a game-changer. It boosts efficiency, makes you a clearer communicator, and helps you stand out on social media by elevating only the most critical points. The best result? Crisper expression of and alignment around what matters most.
There are four key elements to smart brevity that you need to apply to make every word count. And you’ll find out what they are in the following sections.
Smart Brevity (2022) offers a guide to effective communication in an age of information overload. It emphasizes the importance of conveying ideas succinctly and clearly and provides practical strategies to streamline communication across various platforms, from emails and meetings to presentations and social media.
Smart Brevity (2021) is an insightful book that explores the art of concise communication, making it a worthwhile read for anyone seeking to improve their writing skills. Here's what sets this book apart:
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trialBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of Smart Brevity?
The main message of Smart Brevity is effective communication through concise and impactful writing.
How long does it take to read Smart Brevity?
The reading time for Smart Brevity may vary, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Smart Brevity a good book? Is it worth reading?
Smart Brevity is worth reading for its practical tips and insights into concise writing techniques.
Who is the author of Smart Brevity?
The authors of Smart Brevity are Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz.