"What are you trying to say here?
Dwarkesh has a great point: If you simply ask someone "what are you trying to say here" it generally gets them to say out loud a succinct headline.
A great little copywriting trick!
Image Description
The image is a screenshot of a social media post by Dwarkesh Patel, which reads: "Unreasonably effective writing advice: 'What are you trying to say here? Okay, just write that.'"
Positive Aspects
The image perfectly captures the essence of the blog post by showcasing a simple, yet powerful piece of writing advice. It reinforces the message in a direct and relatable way, making the advice feel actionable and easy to implement.
Key Takeaways
- Asking "What are you trying to say here?" helps clarify thoughts and distill them into a concise headline.
- This question is a practical tool for improving copywriting by focusing on the main message.
- The technique encourages writers to express their core idea straightforwardly.
Additional Insights
This strategy is like having a mini-editor in your pocket. When you’re stuck, just ask yourself the magic question—it’s the literary equivalent of shaking a Polaroid picture to see the image more clearly. Plus, it’s a great way to filter out fluff and get to the heart of the matter.
