How to Connect With Your Readers Through Detail

As I write this, the bright sun shines through my windows as I sit at the kitchen table. I’m typing away at my laptop while I sip on my black coffee. It’s a quiet Saturday morning. Just the way I like it.

This winter has been a lot better than previous years (let’s hope I don’t jinx it lol). More sunshine and less rain. Cooler weather but clearer skies. Not too common for over here in Seattle. But hey, I’ll take it.

Anyways, you’re probably asking yourself:

“Connor, why are you describing the world around you right now?”

And other than the fact that it’s just plain ole’ fun, it’s a lesson I learned from my friend Jay Yang. He put it best when he said something along the lines of:

The more description you use in your writing, the more your reader will be able to connect with you. Make them feel like they’re sitting next to you and you’ll strike a conversation deeper than just words on a page.

So let’s dive into this a bit deeper, shall we?

Here’s what you’ll learn today:

• What connecting with your readers looks like

• Why it works so well

• How to use it

Grab a cup of Joe (I need to do the same, mine’s empty at this point), sit back, and let’s connect.

What Connecting With Your Reader Looks Like 🤝

Like I started off this newsletter, there’s a simple way to better connect with your reader:

Using detail.

Now look, there’s a time for everything. There are times when you should be as short and to-the-point as possible. And there are times when you should use as much detail as possible. Let’s take a look at when you should use the latter:

• Painting a problem your reader has

• Sharing your story to build credibility

• Engaging your reader so they continue reading

When it comes to storytelling, marketing, or selling a product, you (almost) always want to be as descriptive as possible.

Whether that’s highlighting your emotions when you finally got your first sale or setting the stage before diving into your newsletter (I thought we really connected there, don’t ya think ;)).

At the end of the day, people want to connect with other people.

They want to hear your story. All your highs and lows. How you got to where you are now.

They want to connect with you through stories. And the best way to do that is to use as much detail as possible.

As Jay puts it best:

Why It Works So Well 🤔

The more detailed your writing is, the more likely it is that your reader will be able to connect with you.

Think about it. If I simply said:

“I know how you feel”

Would you believe me? Do you know how I feel?

But if I went on to describe my past situation, how I was in the same exact place as you not too long ago, how I felt hopeless and lost just like you’re feeling now…

Then you would realize that I do, in fact, know how you feel. Because I was vulnerable and shared my story.

The devil’s in the details, as they say.

Adding that extra level of detail forces the reader to let their guard down. You’re vulnerable. You can connect with what I’m saying and describing.

You can envision sun shining through your window. You can envision cool winter air. You can envision drinking coffee on a quiet Saturday morning.

So whether you’re writing a sales page, telling your brand story, or simply writing for the hell of it, if you want to better connect with your reader. If you want to not just write words on a page, but also have a conversation with your reader… add that extra level of detail.

You'll thank me later.

How to Use It 📝

The first step is to understand when you should be more descriptive in your writing.

Selling a product? Use detail to paint a painful problem your reader has.

Want to build trust and credibility? Use detail to share the story of how you went from zero to hero or Point A to Point Z.

Want to simply engage with your reader to make it feel like you’re having a conversation with an old friend? Use detail to describe things they’ll be able to relate to. Sun shining through a window, cool winter air, quiet Saturday mornings. You get the idea.

So first things first, understand when you should use detail in your writing. Then go out there and use details to relate to your reader.

Yep, it really is that simple.

Alright, that’s all for this week. No more details from me :)

Talk later,

Connor “devil’s in the details” Flynn

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