Read time: 7 minutes

We've all been there:

You write a post with care, polish every word, and hit publish with pride.

But then... crickets.

Why the silence?

The answer might surprise you:

You haven't heard your own writing.

Think about it...

Your audience doesn't just read your content, they hear it too.

That's not all either.

You are familiar with the topic you're creating about (or at least I hope you are), right?

You understand the situations you've experienced.

You understand everything you are saying.

You know the intricate details.

Yet the same isn't always true for your audience. They may read it in a completely different way.

So, reading your content aloud might seem unconventional, but trust me it's powerful!

How and why can reading your content out lout benefit you?

That's what we are uncovering today. Let's get straight into it...

Why reading out loud matters:

The reality is, sometimes what reads well in our heads can come across in a whole different way. Why?

We often miss 3 key aspects:

1) Clarity

If your content is easy to understand, then you've got one thing going for you; clarity. Clarity comes down to creating a message that's clear and free from confusion.

It's about using simple language, avoiding jargon, and structuring your sentences in a logical way. It's not hard, but it's a common hurdle for many business owners.

I see it time and time again. The sophisticated language. The lack of precision. The endless pits of unecessary details. Please, don't let that be you! Please!

How reading out loud creates clarity:

Have you ever found yourself rushing to the end of a sentence so you can breathe? That's what clarity isn't. And it's what reading your content out loud helps you avoid.

Reading out loud helps you catch complex sentences, confusing phrasing, and a lack of precision. It's about making sure you don't leave your audience scratching their heads. And let's be real... You don't want that, right?

When you hear your words, when you speak them out loud, you can identify where your message gets lost. You're able to guide your reader in the right direction.

This clarity is essential, but it's only part of the equation. To ensure an engaging experience, your content must also flow smoothly from one point to the next. And that’s where flow comes into play.

2) Flow

The rhythm and pace of your writing matters. That's the essence of flow. It's about how smoothly your ideas connect and how easy it is for your reader to follow your argument.

This involves effective use of transitions. It's also about paying attention to the pace of reading, and avoiding sudden topic changes.

How reading out loud helps your flow:

Reading out loud helps improve the flow of your writing. It reveals clunky transitions, awkward pacing, and repetitive phrases. These all disrupt the reader's flow. It makes them lose interest.

But paying attention to the flow of your words makes a huge difference.

Not only is a well-paced piece of content easier to follow, but reading it is more enjoyable too. It keeps people intrigued with minimal resistance.

They don't have to work hard. They just read with ease.

It's effortless!

Flow at it’s best - a Gary Provost masterclass

Gary Provost was an American writer and editor known for his work on style and clarity in writing. He illustrates the power of flow best in ‘100 Ways to Improve Your Writing’:

As Gary says:

“Don’t just write words. Write music.”

It’s all comes down to:

• Rhythm: Using sentence lengths to create an intentional pace, and repetition to add impact.

• Conciseness: Only using the necessary words to convey your message.

• Clarity: Using simple language and avoiding complexity.

So don’t overcomplicate it. Pay attention to how your words ripple off the page and the impact they have on your audience. It makes a difference, trust me!

3) Tone

Tone is the attitude or feeling you convey. It's the emotional foundation that shapes how your audience perceives your message.

Tone can be serious. Tone can be humorous. It can also bee formal, informal, or anything in between.

So pay close attention to your tone. Make sure it aligns with how you communicate and the communication style your audience prefers.

How reading out loud helps your tone:

Hearing your words can help you identify if your intended tone aligns with the one your audience perceives. A mismatch here can create misunderstandings and a weak message.

Take a moment to imagine this…

You're trying to convince your friend to watch a classic movie.

If you say, "You have to watch this movie. It's the best thing ever," your friend might feel pressured or even annoyed.

But if you say, "Hey, remember that funny scene in [another movie]? This one has something even better," you're more likely to pique their interest and create a positive tone.

See how this works?

A forceful, demanding tone alienates your audience.

Yet a casual, conversational tone builds rapport and adds appeal to your message.

The difference is clear. Isn’t it?

That's the beauty of reading your content out loud.

So, the next time you're writing content, take a few minutes to read it out loud. You might surprise yourself by how much your tone can change the impact of your message.

A well-chosen tone can make all the difference. It helps make your contet more engaging, persuasive, and memorable.

Why this all matters?

By reading your content out loud, you're becoming your own editor. You're giving your message a voice. A voice that's intentional, impactful, and clear.

When you do this right, you'll notice a difference. Your audience will feel understood. They'll resonate with you on a deeper level.

But don't think it's just about your content and avoiding awkward phrasing. It goes far beyond that!

By giving your writing a voice, you unlock a whole new level of benefits...

The benefits of reading your content out loud

Sure, avoiding crickets on your next post is great, but the magic of reading out loud goes way beyond that.

Here's how it can help you maximise the impact of your content:

Mastering conversations:

Reading your content out loud does one key thing well. It mimicks natural conversation.

You're forced to process it in real-time, just like chatting with a friend. So it’s much easier spotting awkward phrasing or wording that doesn't sound true or natural to you.

They'll stick out like a sore thumb when spoken. But that's not all!

Reading aloud helps ensure your tone matches your intended voice and personality. This matters loads when it comes to maintaining a consistent impression.

Why? It’s pretty straight forward…

People will remember you for the impact your words have on them. So the wrong tone can spell disaster, creating the wrong impression. And that's not what you want, right!?

Vocalising your content naturally introduces pauses and emphasis too. You spot places where your rhythm or pacing feels off. This in particular is something I find easy to notice when reading my own content out loud. Otherwise, it's challenging to spot, trust me.

Creating emotional connections:

I know for a fact that you want your content to create an impact and have a strong emotional connection. Reading it out loud does exactly this.

You're able to guage its emotional resonance by paying attention to the mood and feelings you create. If it feels unaligned, you can then tweak it for maximum impact.

Now what's great too is that reading aloud makes it easier to identify places that need more emotion or personality.

Flat sections that lack personality? You'll spot them in a heartbeat. Need more emotion? Your voice will tell you where.

And when it comes to humour? You'll know right away if that sarcasm comes across as intended or if your jokes land or flop.

There's even more to it too.

Speaking your words out loud engages all your senses. It's like diving headfirst into your content. Suddenly, you're not just writing—you're experiencing.

Reading about your struggles? You'll feel it in your bones. Describing a sunset? You'll see those colours pop. It's empathy on steroids. It packs a punch that could knock you out cold!

And the best part about it:

Even though your audience isn't there, it'll feel like they are. You're creating a shared experience, building a bridge between your words and their world.

That right there is powerful. It's why you'd be a fool to not read your content out loud if you've come this far!

Quick Tip: Record yourself!

Want to hear your content come alive?

Grab your phone and record yourself reading it out loud. Then, listen back and take notes on areas for improvement.

It can reveal unexpected quirks, awkward phrasing, or areas where your voice might stumble. It's like having a personal editor who understands your unique style and helps you refine it.

This simple exercise helps you improve the flow and clarity of your writing. It makes sure your content feels authentic and resonates with your audience. Plus, it's a great way to practice your public speaking skills.

This way you share your ideas in a way that's true to who you are with confidence too. So standing out and have a strong impact becomes a whole lot easier!

On a side note, when you think of ideas, instead of writing them down, try creating voice notes.

This helps you get down your ideas in the moment. They're raw, candid, and capture your true communication style.

You can then reflect this in your writing for a greater level of authentcity. It's a great approach for creating content that's less filtered and more you!

Moral of the story:

Are you giving your content a voice?

Are you reading your words aloud to catch what your eyes might miss?

Most business owners dont do this.

Please don't let that be you too!

And on that note:

Until this time next week,

Ryan