Serious question, has anyone else had their posting style called out in a chatter lounge?

I was in a different forum's chatter lounge last week, and someone replied to my post saying 'you sound like you're writing a manual, just talk like a person.' It was a bit blunt, but they had a point. I realized I was over-explaining everything and using too many formal phrases. Now I try to write like I'm just texting a friend, which feels way more natural for a lounge setting. Has a piece of feedback ever made you change how you post in these casual spaces?

3 comments

3 Comments

hayes.joel11d ago

Yeah, that "writing a manual" comment hits close to home. I got told my posts read like a corporate memo once, all bullet points and no personality. Now I just pretend I'm explaining something to my neighbor over the fence, keeps it from getting too stiff.

carter.laura11d ago

Explaining something to my neighbor" is such a good trick. I used to write work emails like I was talking to a lawyer. Everything was way too careful. Now I just picture my friend Dave reading it. If he'd be bored, I rewrite the whole thing. It cuts out so much junk.

keithbutler5d agoMost Upvoted

Read a blog post about this called "writing for humans, not robots.