In our rush to sound authoritative and professional, we often forget the most important rule of content creation: your readers came here for help, not a vocabulary lesson. Here we explain whay and what you should do about it
Helpful Advice Beats Technical Terms: Writing Content That Actually Helps People solve issues or deliver answers they need to comebye
Post by Peter Hanley coachhanley.com
The Problem with Technical Jargon
Picture this: someone searches “how to fix slow WiFi” and lands on your article. Instead of getting practical steps, they’re bombarded with terms like “packet loss optimization,” “QoS configuration,” and “bandwidth allocation protocols.” Five minutes later, they’re clicking the back button, more confused than when they started.
This happens across every industry. Finance writers throw around “amortization schedules” when people just want to know how to pay off debt faster. Marketing blogs obsess over “omnichannel attribution modeling” when business owners simply need more customers.
The disconnect is real, and it’s driving people away from the content they desperately need.
Why Simple Language Wins Every Time
When you strip away the jargon and focus on clear, helpful advice, something magical happens:
People actually understand what you’re saying. Complex ideas become accessible when you explain them in everyday language. Instead of “implementing a comprehensive SEO strategy,” try “getting more people to find your website on Google.”
Trust builds faster. Readers appreciate when you don’t talk down to them or hide behind unnecessarily complex terminology. It shows you genuinely want to help rather than impress.
Your content gets shared more. People share things they understand and find useful. They rarely share content that makes them feel confused or inadequate.
The Art of Translating Expertise
Being an expert doesn’t mean you have to sound like a textbook. The best communicators can take complex concepts and make them feel simple and actionable.
Take the example of explaining website security. Instead of diving into “SSL certificate implementation and cryptographic protocols,” you might say: “Think of an SSL certificate like a lock on your front door. It keeps the bad guys out and shows visitors they can trust your site.”
Same information, completely different impact.
Practical Tips for Clearer Content
Start with the outcome. Before diving into how something works, tell readers what they’ll achieve. “By the end of this guide, you’ll have a backup system that protects your important files automatically.”
Use the friend test. If you wouldn’t explain it this way to a friend over coffee, rewrite it. Your content should feel conversational, not academic.
Define when you must use technical terms. Sometimes industry language is unavoidable, but always follow it with a plain-English explanation. “ROI (return on investment) is simply how much money you make back compared to what you spent.”
Lead with the action, not the theory. People want to know what to do first, why it works second. Start with “Click the settings menu” before explaining the underlying technology.
When Technical Terms Actually Help
There are times when precise terminology serves your readers better than simplified language. If you’re writing for professionals who use these terms daily, avoiding them might actually create confusion.
The key is knowing your audience. A guide for new small business owners requires different language than a resource for experienced marketing managers. Match your vocabulary to their existing knowledge and comfort level.
The Content Environment Has Changed
Today’s readers have endless options. They’ll abandon unclear content within seconds to find something better. This isn’t about dumbing things down – it’s about respecting your readers’ time and mental energy.
The most successful content creators understand this shift. They focus on being helpful first, impressive second. They know that a reader who successfully solves their problem will remember you far longer than someone who was momentarily impressed by your vocabulary.
Making the Switch
If you’ve been defaulting to technical language, start small. Pick one piece of content and rewrite it with helpful advice as your north star. Ask yourself: “What does my reader actually need to know to succeed?”
Remove every word that doesn’t directly help them achieve their goal. Replace industry jargon with everyday language. Focus on clear steps rather than comprehensive theory.
The result won’t just be easier to read – it will be more valuable to the people who matter most: your readers.
The Bottom Line
In a world overflowing with information, the content that wins is the content that helps. Technical accuracy matters, but not at the expense of clarity and usefulness.
Your expertise shines brightest when you can make complex things simple, not when you make simple things complex. Choose helpful advice over impressive terminology, and watch your content create real impact for real people.
After all, the best compliment you can receive isn’t “wow, you sound smart” – it’s “thank you, that actually worked.”
Michael Cheneys marketing builds on this in the Millionaires Apprentice program