Keep it Simple, Stupid. The Art of Clear Language.

Clear language is like a superpower that lets you get your message across quickly and easily.

Imagine you click a digital ad and land on a beautifully-designed, but wordy, landing page about prescription drug prices. To your surprise, you don’t understand a word.

That is NOT rare. It happens to voters across America nearly every day.

In 1992, James Carville famously said, “It’s the economy, stupid,” and he was right. We think the principle behind simple language is similar. Communicate simply and clearly and it's easier to break through, persuade, and win.

Clear language is a superpower that lets you get your message across quickly and easily. But don't worry, you don't need a cape or tights to master it. Here are some tips to help you learn the secret art of clear language:

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE, SMARTY-PANTS!

Big, fancy words might make you sound smart, but they can also confuse your audience. Stick to simple words that everyone can understand. Your goal is to share your ideas, not show off your vocabulary.

2. SAY BYE-BYE TO EXTRA WORDS

When you're writing or talking, try to use as few words as possible to get your point across. This makes your message easier to understand and helps your audience stay focused on what you're saying.

3. BRING ON THE EXAMPLES

Sometimes, the best way to explain something is to give an example. If you're trying to teach your daughter about fractions, you could say, "Imagine you have a pizza with eight slices, and you eat two of them. You've eaten one-fourth of the pizza!" Examples help make ideas more real and easy to understand.

4. KEEP THINGS IN ORDER

Just like a recipe, your ideas should be organized in a clear and logical order. This helps your audience follow along and understand what you're trying to say.

5. A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Drawings, charts, or diagrams can help people understand complex ideas. If you're trying to explain that inflation is falling, a simple chart might be more helpful than a long-winded explanation.

6. REPEAT AFTER ME...

Repeating important points helps your audience remember them. Just don't overdo it, or you might start to sound like a broken record!

7. TELL A STORY

Everyone loves a good story. Sharing your ideas through a story can make them more interesting and easier to remember. As an example, if you were trying to teach friends about gravity, tell them the story of how an apple fell on Sir Isaac Newton's head!

8. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

Think about who you're talking to and what they already know. This helps you choose the right words and examples to make your message clear and easy to understand.

9. FEEL THE FEELS

Using emotion in your writing, speaking, (and ads!) can make your message more powerful and memorable. If you want to persuade on abortion rights, tell a story about real people and the consequences of taking away women's reproductive health care. These real stories will evoke emotion in most people.

10. BE TRUSTWORTHY

Last, but not least, be honest and accurate with your information. If people trust you, they're more likely to listen and understand what you're saying.

So there you have it, folks! The secret art of clear language is all about keeping things simple and focusing on your audience. With a little practice, you'll be sharing your ideas like a pro in no time. Remember, keep it simple, stupid (in the nicest way possible)!