Write as if You’re Speaking to a Close Friend (And Actually Be Interesting)

You know that feeling when you text your best friend about something insane that just happened? Maybe you saw a raccoon steal someone’s sandwich, or maybe your coffee order was so wrong it felt personal. You’re not going to type, “This morning, an unexpected event transpired involving an urban wildlife specimen and a processed food item.”

No. You’re going to say, “Bro, I just watched a raccoon commit a felony in broad daylight.”

That’s exactly how your content should feel. People don’t want to be talked at—they want to feel like they’re in the conversation.

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🚨 Why This Works

• It makes people feel like they know you. If your content sounds human, people will actually want to engage with it.
• It makes even boring topics entertaining. You could write about watching paint dry, and if you do it right, people will stick around.
• It makes your writing memorable. People forget facts. They don’t forget a good story.

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📖 Storytelling: Because Nobody Remembers Boring Writers

People love stories. Period. Even if you’re writing about something as soul-sucking as tax season, throw in a relatable anecdote.

📌 Example: Instead of saying:
🚫 “It’s important to file your taxes on time to avoid penalties.”

✅ Try this:
"I once ignored my taxes for so long that when I finally filed them, I half expected the IRS to send me a ‘We thought you died’ card."

💡 Why this works:

• It’s unexpected. People expect dry financial advice. They don’t expect humor.
• It makes it relatable. Who hasn’t procrastinated on something important?
• It makes the lesson stick. You’ll remember the IRS "death card" joke long after you’ve forgotten generic tax tips.

Moral of the story? If your writing isn’t fun, people won’t read it.

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🛠️ How to Write Like a Human (Not a Robot)

1️⃣ Imagine You’re Talking to One Person

When you write, don’t think about "an audience." That’s how you end up sounding like a corporate memo. Instead, imagine you’re texting your best friend.

📌 Example: Instead of:
🚫 “The latest iPhone release introduces several notable features that enhance user experience.” (Are we in a board meeting?)

✅ Try:
"Apple just dropped a new iPhone, and surprise—it looks exactly like the last one. But don’t worry, the camera is now slightly to the left."

💡 Tactical Tip: If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, don’t write it that way.

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2️⃣ The Art of Breaking Grammar Rules (When It’s Okay to Be a Little Naughty)

Remember those grammar rules your English teacher drilled into your head? Yeah… sometimes you gotta break ‘em.

It’s totally okay to:
✅ Start sentences with "And" or "But." (Because drama.)
✅ Use sentence fragments. For emphasis.
✅ Write like you actually talk (instead of like an 18th-century philosopher).

🚫 What’s NOT okay? Writing complete gibberish. There’s a fine line between style and chaos.

📌 Example:
🚫 "In an effort to optimize digital engagement, we must craft compelling narratives with an interactive component."

✅ Try:
"If your content is boring, people will leave. Simple as that."

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3️⃣ Use Side Comments (Like This One!)

Ever notice how, when you’re chatting with a friend, you throw in little side thoughts? Those make your writing feel real.

📌 Example:
"Apple is out here acting like their new phone is revolutionary (spoiler: it’s not). But we both know we’re still gonna buy it."

💡 Why this works:

• It feels natural. This is exactly how people talk in real life.
• It makes the writing feel alive. No one wants to read a monotone script.

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4️⃣ Ask Questions Like You Expect an Answer

A one-sided lecture? Boring. A conversation? Engaging. Even if your audience can’t answer, their brain automatically does.

📌 Example: Instead of:
🚫 “Social media algorithms prioritize engaging content.” (Cool. Thanks for the TED Talk.)

✅ Try:
"Ever wonder why your feed is full of dancing 12-year-olds instead of the posts you actually want to see? Yeah, blame the algorithm."

💡 Tactical Tip: Even rhetorical questions make your writing feel interactive.

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5️⃣ Embracing Imperfections: Typos, Inside Jokes, and Weird Phrases

Your writing should feel like a text from a friend, not a legal document. Friends ramble. They make weird references. They occasionally misspell words (teh struggle is real).

✅ Drop a casual inside joke
✅ Make a pop culture reference
✅ Be okay with weird phrasing (as long as it’s intentional)

📌 Example:
"If you’ve ever tried assembling IKEA furniture without losing your mind, congrats—you already have more patience than me."

💡 Why this works:

• It’s relatable. Everyone has an IKEA horror story.
• It makes you sound like a real person. Not a Wikipedia page.

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6️⃣ Adding Humor & Personality (Because Dry Writing is a Crime)

If your writing doesn’t sound like you, why should anyone care? Inject humor, sarcasm, or whatever makes you you.

📌 Example: Instead of:
🚫 “It is beneficial to establish a consistent morning routine for increased productivity.”

✅ Try:
"If I don’t have my coffee within 10 minutes of waking up, I legally can’t be held responsible for my actions."

💡 Why this works:

• It gets the same point across. (Morning routines matter.)
• But it actually makes you want to keep reading.

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🔥 The Bottom Line

If your content feels like a lecture, people will scroll past it. If it feels like a conversation with a friend, they’ll stick around.

👀 Ask yourself:
✔️ Would I actually say this to a friend?
✔️ Does this feel like a chat or a corporate email?
✔️ Am I making my audience feel included?

Master this, and your audience won’t just follow you—they’ll feel like they know you. 🚀

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Writing for Real Humans, Not Just Google’s Algorithm

Yeah, SEO is important. But if you’re stuffing your content with so many keywords that it sounds like a scam email, Google will still ignore you (and so will your readers).

✅ Write naturally first, optimize later

✅ Make sure it flows—not just ranks

✅ If it sounds awkward when you read it out loud, change it

Example of bad SEO writing:

"Best morning routines for productivity include waking up early, because morning routines for productivity are important. Here’s how morning routines for productivity can change your life."

(Excuse me while I go cry.)

Better version:

"Want to stop feeling like a zombie in the morning? A solid routine can help. Here’s what actually works."

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Final Thoughts - Make ‘Em Feel Like They Know You

At the end of the day, writing like you’re talking to a friend isn’t just about being casual—it’s about being real. People don’t want to read generic, lifeless content. They want to hear from you.

So, let your personality shine through. Be weird. Be sarcastic. Be you. And if anyone tells you that writing should always be formal? Politely ignore them (or send them this blog post).

Now go forth and write like you’re spilling tea with your bestie. ☕