In a post last week I recommended cutting three words from every draft you wrote that week. My Web friend and fellow business writing blogger Daphne-Gray Grant sent me a great comment on that post.
She wrote
I recently had an interesting experience with a client relating to this topic. We produce a quarterly 16-page publication. For a long time the main writer has been arguing that we should switch to 12 pages because she assumes that will be less work. I always argued that it would be MORE work. (I don't mind either way -- I just wanted the client to understand.)
Recently, for unrelated reasons, we had to reduce a single issue of the pub to 12 pages. This meant going back and cutting widows and orphans and desperately trying to find other ways to tighten. It took us HOURS to do. What my client learned: it was way more work. What I learned: the publication was way better.
Ken, I'd suggest that people try to cut far more than three words. Try cutting at least 10%....
She's right. Thanks, Daphne.
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