Short = Sweet!

October 25, 2007 in Other Stuff with 19 Comments

Less is more. Seth Godin points us to some interesting research/observations on word count. Seth states, "Basically, short, simple sentences not only sell more books, but spread ideas farther and faster." I think that means there’s hope for simple guys like me.

What do you think? Are you more likely to read longer or shorter books? Are you more likely to read longer or shorter blog posts?

19 Responses to “Short = Sweet!”

  1. Cole Phillips October 25, 2007 at 5:27 pm #

    I was able to read this whole post! One syllable words are also good.

  2. john in colorado October 25, 2007 at 6:03 pm #

    short. simple. single thoughts.
    later

  3. Derek Berg October 25, 2007 at 6:23 pm #

    I guess I still stick by the quality versus quantity rule. If it’s high quality, I’ll read it whether short or long, though it may involve marking/starring/highlighting for later reading.

  4. Sam October 25, 2007 at 6:37 pm #

    books can go either way. Blog posts I like them shorter.

  5. Lynse Leanne October 25, 2007 at 6:38 pm #

    I like to read longer books, but shorter blog posts…if it gets too long i revert into my elementry school ways and only read the last word of each line…i seem to get some interesting things out of it.

  6. paul peterson October 25, 2007 at 8:10 pm #

    Hey Tony,

    Like I told you the other day, the great thing about your books is that they are what I like to refer to as great “toilet reads”… that is, they can be read a chapter at a time while one is doing the doo.

    Short is simple. It is also convenient!

  7. Chris S. October 25, 2007 at 9:19 pm #

    This idea comes out in Made to Stick, great book. I still remember it!

  8. eric chapman October 25, 2007 at 10:36 pm #

    i don’t even read long blog posts from seth godin.

  9. 2thsnd1 October 25, 2007 at 10:52 pm #

    What are the implications of this for those preachers that aren’t exceptional speakers that insist on 45 minute messages?

    L Nelson

  10. Joshua Blankenship October 26, 2007 at 12:11 am #

    More thoughts on this concept from author Steven Berlin Johnson about analyzing certain writer’s average word count, % of complex words, etc.

    Fascinating stuff.

  11. Scott Williams October 26, 2007 at 1:09 am #

    Shorter for sure, just like this one!

    BTW Did I meet you w/ the rest of the NewSpring crew came down to LC in Oklahoma?

  12. todd October 26, 2007 at 8:05 am #

    leave them wanting more…

  13. tony morgan October 26, 2007 at 9:59 am #

    Scott, we did meet. I’m glad I made such an impactful impression on your life. :-)

    tony

  14. Shaun Sells October 26, 2007 at 10:24 am #

    shorter is better.

  15. Tiffany Sellers October 26, 2007 at 12:50 pm #

    i’m all for short and sweet. by the way, this is an awesome blog, Tony. But then again, I haven’t checked out Joe’s yet…hehe!

  16. Chris Reeder October 26, 2007 at 1:45 pm #

    Shorter on Both. Short & Sweet!

  17. Andy Gill October 26, 2007 at 2:31 pm #

    Reminds me of a good book called “SiMPLE CHURCH”. Strwamline your ideas so people can quickly understand them and remember them. Good post.

    AG

  18. Antwon Davis October 26, 2007 at 3:30 pm #

    I would have to definitely agree. Personally, I find that I am able to grasp more information from a book that consists of simple sentences, compared to more complexed writings that require the reader to repetitively read the same sentence just to get the point intended. I am really glad to see that there is valid research to back up this assumption. GREAT FIND! :-)

  19. daniel d October 27, 2007 at 1:00 am #

    Whenever I get an email from someone and I open it and see more than a paragraph of copy… I almost always never read it or at the very least I slide it to another folder and read it later.

    I think ideas are much the same.