How to make your writing suddenly easier to understand. The concept of 'changing your words'.

Hello, this is Iguchi.

As a sole proprietor, I spend my days forming and testing hypotheses while exploring methods for web marketing and sales promotion that can be practiced even with a small budget.

In this note, I focus on marketing terms that you might have heard of but are often used in a surprisingly vague way. Based on my own research and real-life experience, I have summarized them using the simplest language possible.

I hope that even those who are not comfortable with technical jargon will find this helpful and think, 'I see, that's what that means.'

'Don't you ever have moments when you're writing and it just doesn't feel right?'

For example, you can write lightly on social media, but suddenly become stiff when writing a blog post.

Conversely, you might feel uneasy about a service page being too casual, wondering, 'Is this okay...?'

At first, I thought, 'As long as the content is good, that's all that matters, right?' but I was surprised when I looked into it.

The tone (the atmosphere of the writing) alone completely changes how the reader perceives it.

If you ignore this 'tone mismatch,' you will continue to feel like your message isn't getting across, even though you are putting your heart into it.

In this article, I will explain the 'concept of writing tone' that anyone can use immediately, as clearly as possible, using analogies.

By the time you finish reading, your own posts should feel a little more fun and easier to write.

Does writing have a 'voice'? The basics of writing tone

In short, writing tone is 'the tone and atmosphere of the writing'.

Even when conveying the same content, the impression given to the reader changes completely depending on the phrasing and word choice.

• A serious and stiff atmosphere ('is', 'does')

• A friendly and soft atmosphere ('isn't it', 'let's')

• An energetic and dynamic atmosphere ('do it!', 'right?')

Controlling the atmosphere of your writing to match 'who you are addressing and how you want them to feel' is what they call 'deciding (or adjusting) your writing tone.'

I see, just as the impression of a voice changes depending on whether the pitch (tone) is high or low, writing also has a 'voice'.

Why does writing need a dress code? Tips for choosing a tone

If I just leave it at that, you might not have an image of how to actually use it, so let's think about it with a more familiar example.

This becomes easier to imagine if you replace it with 'fashion (clothing)'.

For example, when you go to an important business meeting, what kind of clothes do you wear?

You would probably choose a sharp 'suit'.
This is to make the other person think you are 'trustworthy' and 'serious'.

Conversely, what about when you have a barbecue with friends on your day off?

You would choose something like a 'T-shirt and jeans' that is easy to move in.
That is because 'friendliness' and 'relaxation' are important.

Writing tone is exactly the same.

• Business articles where you want to gain trust = Suit (polite and logical language)

• Blogs and social media where you want to gain empathy = Casual wear (emotional and relaxed language)

If you showed up to a barbecue in a tuxedo, people would be put off, thinking, 'Wait, what's going on?' (laughs)

Writing is the same; if the tone doesn't match the place or purpose, it will give the reader a sense of discomfort.

Professional for websites, soft for social media. Tone selection for sole proprietors and freelancers.

So, how should sole proprietors and freelancers like us specifically use these different tones?

I thought about it using a 'Web Designer' as an example.

① In the case of your own website (service introduction page)

Here, you need to eliminate the customer's anxiety of 'Is it okay to ask this person for work?'

In other words, a 'suit (formal)' tone.

It feels trustworthy, doesn't it?

(2) In the case of daily social media (X or Instagram)

If you believe it is important here to have people think, 'This person seems interesting' or 'We might get along,' then use a 'casual' tone.

Doesn't this make you feel a sense of closeness, thinking, 'Oh, this person is just like me'?

If you were to tweet every day on social media, 'I have completed my tasks for today. That is all,' it would be a bit stiff and hard to engage with, wouldn't it?

Conversely, if a service page said, 'Leave it to me! I'll make something seriously good!', you would be too scared to place an order.

In this way, 'changing your clothes of words to suit the situation' is the true nature of a writing tone.

Summary: What was more important than correct Japanese. The day I realized the TPO of words.

When I heard the term 'writing tone,' I braced myself thinking it would be difficult, but when I opened the lid, it was the same as 'choosing clothes to suit the TPO (Time, Place, Occasion)'.

I myself had only been thinking, 'I have to use correct Japanese no matter what,' but that alone was insufficient.

'Who am I writing for right now, and what kind of clothes (words) should I be wearing?'

Just by being conscious of that, writing has become a little more fun.

Why don't you look back at your own blog or social media and check, 'Is today's outfit (tone) appropriate?'?

Thank you for reading until the end.

I would be happy if this article led to a small realization like, 'I see, that's what it was!', or provided a hint for your own ideas.

Following me would be a great encouragement.
I will follow you back as well ^^