Make People Actually Read Your Updates (Yes, It Is Possible)

Make People Actually Read Your Updates (Yes, It Is Possible)

It’s a fantastic goal! Getting people to genuinely read your updates—whether they’re on social media, in a newsletter, or in an internal company email—comes down to a mix of value, clarity, and presentation.

Here are some actionable strategies to make your updates stand out and actually get read:

1. Master the Hook: The Subject Line & First Sentence

This is the single most important factor for getting someone to click or look up from their scroll.

• Front-Load the Value (The WIIFM): Immediately tell the reader What’s In It For Me. Instead of “Monthly Company Update,” try “3 Ways We’re Cutting Project Time by 15% This Quarter.”

• Use Specific Numbers: Our brains love definitive data. Instead of saying “Big discount coming soon,” say “Get 40% Off Our Best-Selling Course—Next 72 Hours Only.”

• Create Curiosity (Carefully): Ask a compelling, relevant question. Example: “Are you accidentally sabotaging your own team’s morale?”

• Keep it Short & Punchy: Especially for subject lines and social media posts, aim for impact in the first 5-7 words before they get cut off on mobile devices.

2. Write for Scanners, Not Readers

The vast majority of people will scan an update before they decide to read it thoroughly. Make that scanning process easy and rewarding.

• Use Headings and Subheadings: Break up large blocks of text. Give each section a clear, descriptive title.

• Bold Key Information: Highlight the most critical takeaways, dates, names, and action items so a scanner can still get the gist in five seconds.

• Use Bulleted or Numbered Lists: When describing steps, features, or takeaways, lists are always easier to process than a dense paragraph.

• Keep Paragraphs Short: Aim for 2-4 sentences max per paragraph. White space is your friend; it makes the page feel less intimidating.

3. Focus on Action, Not Just Information

Updates that just tell things are forgettable. Updates that require or inspire action are read more closely.

• Define a Clear Takeaway: Every update should answer the question, “What should the reader do or know after reading this?” State this clearly at the end. (e.g., “Action Item: Respond to this email by EOD Friday with your team’s feedback.”)

• Use Direct Language: Avoid passive voice. Use strong action verbs.

  • Weak: “It is expected that the team will review the document.”

  • Strong: “Please review the attached document and provide feedback.”

• Vary Your Media: Not everyone processes text well. Use a compelling image, a short video clip, or an infographic to summarize the main points. This often stops the scroll and catches the eye.

4. Be Respectful of Their Time

If your updates are always long, readers will learn to ignore them.

• Edit Ruthlessly: Ask yourself: “Can I say this in half the words?” Cut out introductory fluff, repetitive phrases, and irrelevant details.

• Use a “TL;DR” (Too Long; Didn’t Read): For important but long updates (like reports or detailed summaries), put a short, three-point summary at the very top. This respects the reader’s time while still providing the detail for those who need it.

• Choose the Right Frequency: If you send daily emails but only have important news once a week, you’re conditioning your audience to tune out. Quality always trumps quantity.

Which platform are you focused on for your updates right now (LinkedIn, internal email, newsletter, etc.)? We can give you more platform-specific tips!

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