In today’s information-saturated world, the clarity of your message can make or break its effectiveness. Plain language strips away ‌unnecessary complexity, making information accessible and understandable for everyone. This blog post explores the tangible benefits of plain language through  testimonials from those who have mastered it through our workshops.

Plain language is all about writing clearly, concisely, and in a way that your audience can understand the first time they read it. It involves organizing your ideas logically, using simple words, and writing active voice sentences. Despite popular belief, plain language isn’t about “dumbing down” content. It’s about ensuring it’s direct and clear for all audiences, including experts.

Communicating in plain language has proven to increase understanding and engagement. Studies show that when information is easy to understand, compliance rates improve, customer satisfaction increases, and overall communication efficiency skyrockets. For example, when I was employed by a health insurance company, we found ‌that simplifying member communications reduced disputes and enhanced member satisfaction dramatically.

• Government Agency: By adopting plain language guidelines, a municipal government significantly improved the readability and comprehension of its communications. Creating a center of excellence content hub and standardized procedures improved efficiency and consistency, allowing communicators to deliver timely and accurate information to their audiences.

• Healthcare Organization: A health insurance agency published easy to understand definitions of complicated insurance terms to help members understand their coverage and find the right plan for them. They reduced the complexityof their member communications overall dropping from 12th grade to an 8th grade reading level.

• Beverly B. Thompson, City of Durham: “Content Matters has been a star for the City of Durham by helping educate our staff on the value of being clear and using words everyone cyou’reWe’dan relate to. We write technical items for City Council meetings and think about plain language concepts before we write a word. I call that success!”
• Mary Jane Nirdlinger, Town of Chapel Hill: “Working with Stacey (and her team) was a rewarding experience. She brought great ideas, expertise, and practical solutions to our communications efforts. Our Plain Language Center of Excellence expanded with her creative concepts, solid knowledge, and excellent project management. The results are clear: simpler documents, new metrics, and training. Additionally, Stacey’s progressive know-how enabled us to get a head start on generative AI, and the future of content management in our organization.”

Our workshops are designed to equip you with the skills to transform your writing, whether you’re drafting organizational memos, creating public information, or communicating with clients. Participants leave with a deep understanding of how to make their writing clear and effective, tailored to their specific professional needs.

The power of plain language in improving communication is undeniable. Improving your skills through a plain language workshop can lead to significant professional and personal benefits.

Ready to transform your communication skills? Schedule a team workshop and experience the difference firsthand.

Visit our website or send us an email. We’d love to hear from you!

1. Source: Wright, P. (2011). “Plain Language, Clear and Simple.”