This morning I was looking at a website that was so full of dense text I didn't want to read on, even though I really needed the information. I had to force myself to keep going.

Here are a few tips that can make your copy easier for your readers to understand.

1. Avoid long paragraphs. They're intimidating to read into and can cause people to have second thoughts about reading further.

2. In school I learned to avoid one-sentence paragraphs. Yet a one-sentence paragraph might be just the right way to emphasize a point or to make it stand out visually.

3. Use white space, also known as negative space. This is space that's left blank. Instead of filling every inch of space, leave some breathing room around headlines, paragraphs, images. It makes your content easier to read and understand.

4. Use a simple font. Sans Serif fonts are best for on-screen reading. A Sans Serif font is one that doesn't have little hooks on the ends of each letter. Arial, Calibri or Verdana are good examples of this. For this newsletter I use Verdana.

5. Give instructions as a series of steps rather than hiding them in a block of text or a complicated diagram.

These simple steps can make a huge difference in how much attention your readers pay to what you're presenting. Make it easy for them!

How easy is it for YOUR readers to get your message? If you'd like an objective opinion, email me at Maggie@MyMarketingMessage.com or call me at 805 965 9173 and let's talk.