Research shows that more than half of Americans can’t read very well. Their reading skills are below the level of the sixth grade. As a startup founder, that’s an important statistic. It’s something you should pay attention to. Especially if you are starting a business for ordinary people.
In a world of apps and websites, language is important. I get it. You are very smart and you can use big words. You understand that sometimes a complicated word is more accurate than a simple word. Remember that you also have a duty to your audience.
The problem isn’t that they can’t understand. They can. A sixth-grader can read complex texts. But it takes a lot of energy. And that is not always necessary.
I used to run a startup about death. It was a tool that helped people talk about end-of-life with a chatbot. At the time, the American Bar Association recommended a document. It was at a reading level of grade 20† That is not good. Everybody dies. Everyone needs good information.
The trick is to find a balance. Use a tool like Hemingway App to measure how hard your website is to read.
This article may be a little strange to read. Unlike most of my writing, there are a lot of short sentences. There are not many jokes and puns. According to the Hemingway app, it’s at a grade 3 reading level. Perhaps that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But I make a point. All I’m saying is it’s possible.
Be mindful of your audience and write in a way that suits them. The choice is yours. Know that it can make a huge difference.
The Hemingway app review for this article. Image credit: Screenshot of the Hemingway App (Opens in a new window)
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.