One reader, one message

↓

Hey there Reader,

When I started writing my upcoming book, When Someone You Love Has Diabetes, I anticipated that my readers would be the spouses, adult children, and other friends and family members of people living with type 2 diabetes.

But as I'm editing the book, I keep catching myself. Every few paragraphs, I stop and ask: "Who am I actually talking to here?"

The answer keeps coming back: the spouse.

Not because other caregivers don't matter, but because I have more experience watching what happens between couples when diabetes enters the picture. And more importantly, I can write to that specific pain point with clarity.

I know what it looks like when a wife says, "I'm just trying to help," and her husband hears, "You're doing everything wrong."

I know that fear sometimes masquerades as control, and how quickly "Did you check your blood sugar?" becomes a relationship sticking point.

So I'm rewriting with one reader in mind. I'm sharpening my examples. I'm speaking directly to the spouse of the person with type 2 diabetes instead of trying to be write to a wider variety of readers.

One Reader, One Message

If you're writing a blog post, an email to your list, or even patient education materials—write to one specific person.

Go through your work and remove any instances of "any of you," "some of you," or the like. Those phrases remind the reader that they are one of many.

Good writing contains one specific message for one specific reader.

Your content will be clearer, more useful, and ironically—it'll resonate with far more people than the generic version ever would.

Specificity isn't limiting. It's what makes your work land with the right people.

All my best

Julie

P.S. — Who's your one reader? When you're creating content for your patients or clients, who's the one specific person you picture? Reply and tell me—I love hearing how other writers think about this.
​

Coming February 2025 A guide for anyone loving someone through diabetes—without losing yourself in the process.

I'd be so grateful if you could forward this email to everyone you think would enjoy it. If a friend forwarded this email to you, join us!​