Day 23 – The subtle art of getting a message across
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The Subtle Art of Getting a Message Across
(And Why You Should Stop Preaching to the Converted)
If you’ve ever read a post, an op‑ed, or a social‑media thread that felt more like a sermon than a conversation, you know the feeling: the message lands in a vacuum, heard only by those who already agree, while everyone else scrolls past, rolls their eyes, or—worst of all—writes back with a snarky “thanks, Captain Obvious.”
It’s a common trap for writers, marketers, and anyone trying to influence opinions: preaching to the converted. You assume your audience already shares your worldview, and you end up sounding like a church bulletin rather than a compelling storyteller. The result? Your ideas get stuck in an echo chamber, your reach stalls, and the people who could benefit most from your insight remain untouched.
In this post, we’ll explore:
- Why preaching to the converted is a dead‑end.
- How to spot the symptoms in your own writing.
- Practical techniques for widening your net without diluting your voice.
- A quick checklist to keep you honest.
Let’s turn that echo chamber into a lively town square.
1. The Hidden Cost of Talking to the Choir
| What It Looks Like | Why It Fails |
|---|---|
| “All true leaders know X, Y, and Z. If you’re still doing A, you’re obviously clueless.” | Assumes agreement – readers who don’t already see themselves as “leaders” feel dismissed. |
| “As we all know, climate change is real, and we must act now.” | No invitation – skeptics are met with a wall of affirmation, not a door to dialogue. |
| “If you love productivity hacks, you’ll love this new framework.” | Self‑selection bias – you’re preaching to an audience that already bought into the premise. |
The core problem is audience mismatch. When you talk only to those who already nod along, you:
- Limit impact – only a fraction of the potential readers engage.
- Reinforce tribalism – echo chambers tighten, making it harder to bridge divides.
- Waste energy – perfecting a sermon for a crowd that’s already convinced feels like polishing a trophy you’ll never win.
The antidote? Write as if you’re inviting a stranger into a conversation, not delivering a lecture to a congregation.
2. Diagnose Your Own Writing: Are You Preaching?
a. The “We All Know” Test
If you can replace “we all know” with “some people think,” you’ve probably slipped into preaching.
Original: “We all know that the best way to boost ROI is by cutting costs.”
Revised: “Many marketers believe that cutting costs can boost ROI, but there are other angles worth exploring.”
b. The “Assumed Identity” Check
Ask yourself: Does my reader already identify as X? If the answer is “no,” you need to re‑frame.
Original: “If you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, you already understand the power of pivoting.”
Revised: “Even if you’re just starting out, the concept of pivoting can be a game‑changer.”
c. The “Zero‑Tolerant” Scale
Do you use absolutes like “always,” “never,” “must,” or “should” without qualification? Absolutes tend to alienate.
Original: “You must stop using email for lead generation.”
Revised: “Consider whether email is the best tool for your current lead‑generation goals.”
If any of these red flags light up, you’re on the preaching‑to‑the‑converted track.
3. How to Speak to the Unconverted (Without Selling Out)
1. Start With Curiosity, Not Conviction
Instead of stating the conclusion first, pose a question that acknowledges the reader’s perspective.
Preachy: “The truth is, remote work kills collaboration.”
Curious: “What impact does remote work have on collaboration, and how can teams preserve synergy?”
2. Use Stories as Bridges
Stories are the universal language. Show, don’t tell. A personal anecdote or a case study with relatable characters invites empathy, even from sceptics.
Example: “When I first tried the Pomodoro technique, I was skeptical. After three weeks, I realized it helped me finish my thesis without the usual midnight panic. Here’s how you can adapt it for any project.”
3. Offer Evidence, Not Edicts
Give data, cite sources, and explain the reasoning behind your claim. Let the reader see the logic rather than being handed a verdict.
Instead of: “SEO is dead.”
Try: “Recent studies from Moz and Ahrefs show a 30% decline in organic traffic for sites that ignore user intent. Here’s what that means for your SEO strategy.”
4. Invite the Reader to Test the Idea
A call to experiment rather than a command lowers defensiveness.
“Try swapping your usual morning coffee for a 10‑minute walk. Track your focus for a week and see if you notice any difference.”
5. Acknowledge Counterarguments
Show that you understand the other side. A brief, respectful nod to opposing views builds credibility.
“Some argue that rapid iteration leads to sloppy products. While that’s a valid concern, incorporating a lightweight QA step can keep quality high without sacrificing speed.”
6. Use Inclusive Language
Words like “we,” “us,” and “together” can be powerful—but only when they truly include the reader. Pair them with clarifying qualifiers.
“We—whether you’re a freelancer or part of a large corporation—face the same challenge of balancing creativity with deadlines.”
4. The One‑Minute Checklist Before Publishing
 Check | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Audience Gap | Have I assumed the reader already agrees? |
| Open‑Ended Intro | Does the opening pose a question or scenario? |
| Story > Statement | Is there at least one anecdote or case study? |
| Evidence | Do I cite data, sources, or personal experiments? |
| Invitation | Have I encouraged the reader to try something? |
| Counterpoint | Have I respectfully acknowledged an opposing view? |
| Inclusive Language | Does “we” really include them, not just me? |
If you can answer “yes” to every line, you’ve likely avoided preaching to the choir.
5. A Mini‑Exercise: Rewrite a Preachy Paragraph
Original (Preachy):
“If you’re serious about personal finance, you must start budgeting today. Anyone who doesn’t track every dollar is basically throwing money away.”
Revised (Conversational):
“Wondering how to get a better handle on your money? Many people find that tracking their spending—whether through a simple spreadsheet or an app—offers surprising insights. Give it a try for a week and see where your dollars actually go; you might be surprised by the small changes that add up.”
Notice the shift from imperative to suggestion, the inclusion of a low‑bar entry point, and the invitation to experiment.
6. Closing Thought: Influence Is a Conversation, Not a Sermon
The most persuasive writing feels less like a lecture hall and more like a coffee‑shop chat where both parties leave a little wiser. By recognising the echo chamber, checking our assumptions, and crafting content that invites curiosity, we can reach new audiences without compromising our core message.
Next time you sit down to write, ask yourself: Am I preaching, or am I inviting? The answer will determine whether your words echo in a closed room or ripple across a broader community.
Happy writing—and may your messages travel farther than the choir they were meant for.
Preaching to the converted limits reach and reinforces echo chambers.
- Spot the habit with “we all know,” assumed identities, and absolutes.
- Replace them with curiosity, stories, evidence, experiments, and respectful counterpoints.
- Use the one‑minute checklist before you hit “publish.”
Your audience is waiting—just open the door.
Thrills, Spills, and just a dash of Romance 