5 Sentences that Make Writers Mad
For all the marketers, writers, and exhausted proposal professionals out there, this one is for you.
Words are fun. Until they’re not. Here are the 5 sentences you should avoid when working with a professional writer.
“Can you add more meat to this copy?”
What it should mean: “Put more substance in this text.”
What it usually means: “We need more fluffy words like ‘solutions’ on this page so that it seems like we know what we are doing, even though we already said it 15 times.”
What the writer hears: “Make things up because there is no new technical information to illustrate this point.”
What the reader thinks: “I’m on page 3 and I still have no idea what they do.”
2. “We don’t like this word.”
What it should mean: “Can you change this word? It isn’t resonating with us.”
What it usually means: “We’re offended you used this one word which has 15 other synonyms. We will never forget that you used this word once, even though you switched it out within 60 seconds of us telling you to change it.”
What the writer hears: “You used this word for a reason, but we don’t get it. Pick something easier for us to understand.”
What the reader thinks: …. nothing, the reader didn’t notice
3. “Grammarly says this header is wrong.”
What it should mean: “Can you double-check the header or explain it to me?”
What it usually means: “It was raining and the boss missed their tee time. Hence, to show he is working he found this one thing to send a memo on.”
What the writer hears: “We don’t understand copywriting. This isn’t a term paper, it’s a website header leading people to click ‘buy’.”
What the reader thinks: “This company gets me. Where’s my credit card?”
4. “Here is a sample I got from ChatGPT. Can you match it?”
What it should mean: “Here is some context on this topic. Can you turn this into something unique and readable that reflects our brand?”
What it usually means: “Yeah, I just want the stuff from ChatGPT. I am not sure why we are using a professional writer when I can just enter these three words in and spit out 5 pages of text.”
What the writer hears: “You hate me.”
What the reader thinks: “More garbage from Google. Why is it so hard to find what I’m looking for?”
5. “We need the final copy ASAP. We’ll get back to you with edits pronto.”
What it should mean: “We’re going to do a quick check and send this back to you by close of business.”
What it usually means: “You are going to work all night to get this done. Then, we will let the unopened email sit in our inbox for a week or four. “
What the writer hears: “This is a top priority. Give us your best right now… but you should block out your calendar for the 2 hours before the final client deadline because we won’t get you edits until then.”
What the reader thinks: “Seems kind of like this was thrown together at the last minute. I hope they don’t do this with my project.”
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We’re not bitter. We’re just having fun with the wonderful world of corporate prose.
