Adapting for a different audience.
WHAT THIS COVERS
Formal to conversational, or the reverse Technical to general Neutral to persuasive Long to brief
HOW TO ASK
Describe the audience rather than the tone.
"Rewrite for a customer who is not technical and is slightly worried about the cost" produces better results than "make it friendlier".
USEFUL INSTRUCTIONS
"Write as though explaining to a customer face to face." "More formal, suitable for a client proposal." "Direct and brief, for a colleague who is busy."
WHAT TO BE CAREFUL WITH
Over-casual tone in professional contexts Forced enthusiasm, which reads as insincere Losing precision when simplifying
FOR CUSTOMER-FACING WRITING
Plain and direct almost always works better than formal.
Formality is frequently mistaken for professionalism.
THE PRACTICAL APPROACH
Ask for two versions at different registers and compare.
Frequently the right answer is between them.
THE TEST
Would you say this aloud to the person? If not, it is wrong for the audience.
