What do we mean by the rhythm of the words?
Ever wondered why some sentences cause you to stumble as you read them, while others seem to roll silkily off the tongue?
Like poetry!
Well it’s all about the rhythm of the words. And while in copywriting and content writing it’s easy to get carried away with the messaging, the SEO and the calls to action, I like to think that how the words sound is important too. I stress ‘too’ – I am of course not saying the other things aren’t important.
But let me try to explain.
I’ll even throw in a few worked website examples too, so you can see how these tips could be used to improve your own business copy and comms.
What is rhythm?
Rhythm is a music thing, right?
Well, not necessarily. It’s actually incredibly important when it comes to writing too.
Rhythm is a repeated pattern of sound and movement. It’s a heartbeat, a drumbeat, a salsa dance, a daily routine. It gives structure and a sense of flow. It guides us onwards, keeps us going. Heck! It gives us somewhere to go!
Hang on! Go back! Read those last few sentences again.
Think about them from the point of view of your words: ” It gives structure and a sense of flow. It guides us onwards, keeps us going…”
Isn’t that exactly what you want your words to do?
What do we mean by rhythmic writing?
At it’s simplest, rhythmic writing:
- mixes up sentences of different lengths. Short ones for emphasis. Next to much longer ones that are designed to share a more drawn out thought.
- moves at different speeds – sometimes fast with quick, easy words, and sometimes slower.
- let’s us pause. To digest. And then gives us space to move on…when we’re ready!
That explains, briefly, what it is, and shows us how it might sound.
But what’s the point? Why bother? Does the rhythm of the words really make any difference when it comes to comms and marketing?
Well actually, maybe!
How does rhythm help sell the message?
When you write with rhythm it helps to power up your message.
It allows your audience to read it and to absorb it easily. With nothing to stumble over. Nothing to get in the way.
Writing in a rhythm to suit the message, you can engage your readers by creating high speed run-on sentences that keep them wondering what’s coming next. Followed by short, snappy ones. That create mystery. And suspense. They leave the reader wanting more.
You can evoke emotion through not only the words you choose. But the way you use those words.
And the way you place them on the page.
What’s more, you mustn’t be afraid to break the rules. That’s absolutely fine…sometimes!
Worked Website Examples
Let’s put this in to practice and see what a difference it makes in the wild.
ACCOUNTANTS
Instead of…
We offer tax services. We handle payroll and bookkeeping. We ensure compliance with tax laws. We provide financial reports. We are reliable.
You could say…
From tailored tax strategies to streamlined payroll and precise bookkeeping, you can rely on us to cover off every detail. And as tax laws evolve? We’ll stay ahead, sending you clear, actionable reports so you won’t fall behind.
All the financial services you need. None of the stress.
Why is that better?
It has a variety of sentence lengths to keep things flowing and reduce monotony. And the question? Well that’s designed to Interrupt the pattern and spark interest in the reader.
ARCHITECTS
Instead of…
We design homes that are functional and creative. Sustainability is important to us and we work closely with you to bring your vision to life.
You could say…
We design homes that fuse functionality with creativity, bringing beauty and sustainability into every space.
Your vision matters to us. That’s why we’ll work closely with you – crafting inspiring structures that are built to last and creating homes that will be loved by all who live in them.
Why is that better?
With shorter, impactful elements and longer flows, the copy almost mirrors the idea of fusing functionality and creativity. It has more energy about it, doesn’t it? And it’s somehow warmer and more personal.
ESTATE AGENTS
Instead of…
We help you buy and sell properties. Our selection includes a variety of homes and our team offers expert advice throughout the process. We take care of all the paperwork so you don’t have to.
You could say…
We make buying and selling properties a breeze, showcasing a huge range of homes for every lifestyle.
Our experienced team is here to guide you, picking up the paperwork so you can focus on discovering your dream home.
We love what we do. And we’re dedicated to making home ownership happen smoothly for you.
Why is that better?
It has more engaging language and rhythm for better flow. Things just feel a bit more exciting – which is how buying a house should be, after all!
So how do you make the magic happen?
Well it’s actually quite simple:
Ask yourself:
- How does it sound?
- How does it make me feel?
- Is that how you want your reader to feel?
- Were you ever out of breath? (that would be any area to change by the way)
- Did you notice any repetition? (also something to tweak)
With practice you’ll begin to appreciate the ebb and flow of the words. And you’ll naturally start to focus not only on the words you choose, but how they sound when they’re put together on the page.
What do you think? Do you agree that the rhythm of the words makes a difference to the message you’re trying to share? Or do you feel like it’s just one more thing to think about when you’re writing something for your business?
If you’d like some help with your copy or content so you can be sure that your writing is hard-hitting, strong in SEO and also pleasingly in it’s rhythm and flow. All with minimum effort on your part.
Just click the button below to find out more about the copywriting services I offer.
