A couple of weeks ago, I opened an email that started like this:

“We’re excited to introduce our new quarterly objectives and strategic goals for Q2 2025...”

And I stopped reading immediately.

Not because I’m opposed to strategy.

Not because quarterly goals don’t matter.

But because the email didn’t give me a reason to care.

It wasn’t human. It wasn’t emotional. It didn’t feel like anyone was talking to me.

It felt like content—safe, sterile, corporate content.

As I might say, “Round, white, and flavorless.”

That email reminded me of something I often say to the companies I consult:

Most people lose their audience in the first few sentences—and never get them back.

I don’t want that to happen to you.

Let me explain how to change it.

There are two kinds of writers:

• Those whose emails, newsletters, and posts get read, shared, and spark engagement.
• And those whose words vanish into the void, ignored, deleted, or worse—unsubscribed from.

The difference isn’t luck. It’s not fancy formatting, a perfectly placed CTA, or even a killer subject line.

It’s about how you make people feel.

I’ve spent years studying what makes people stop scrolling, open an email, and actually care about what they’re reading. And the answer is always the same:

Storytelling

If your writing isn’t connecting, it’s because you’re missing the most essential ingredient—the thing that makes words stick.
Let’s break down why people tune out (and how to fix it).

1. Your Writing Feels Like a Lecture, Not a Conversation

Too many people write like they’re standing behind a podium, delivering an academic presentation to an audience trapped in their seats.

But online, your audience isn’t trapped. They can leave anytime.

And they do.

They are also not in a lecture hall while reading. They are often at their kitchen table, lounging on a sofa, waiting for their child’s music lesson to finish, or relaxing in their pajamas.

The message should match the medium.

The emails and posts that get ignored sound like corporate memos—overly polished, impersonal, and designed to “sound smart” instead of making a connection.

Fix It:

Write like you speak. Make your readers feel like you’re speaking to them, not at them. Use stakes, suspense, and surprise to get them to care.

• Bad Example: “In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, leveraging storytelling in content marketing is a key differentiator for brand engagement.”
• Better Example: “Last month, I wrote about a brilliant idea that everyone ignored. Then I wrote a little something — a nothing burger in my mind — and everyone liked and shared and commented on it. Looking back, I understand why. Let me explain.”

See the difference?

One reads like a textbook.

The other feels like a human talking to another human.

🚀 Pro Tip: Before hitting send, read your post out loud. If it sounds unnatural, rewrite it.

2. You’re Not Giving People a Reason to Care

If your writing feels like a transaction instead of an experience, your audience will disengage.

Every email, post, or blog should answer:

👉 Why should they care?
👉 What’s in it for them?

Too many writers jump straight into what they want to say instead of thinking about what the audience wants to hear.

Fix It:

Lead with something relatable. Tap into your audience’s struggles, frustrations, or desires.

• Instead of saying: “I’m launching a new writing program soon!”
• Say: “A lot of people have a lot of great things to say, but so often, no one is listening. If this describes you even a little bit, I think I can help.”

🚀 Pro Tip: Start with a problem, not a product. Make your audience feel something first.

3. Your Writing is Missing a Story

Think about the last thing you read that truly held your attention.

Chances are it wasn’t a list of “best practices” or a generic how-to guide.

It was a story—something that pulled you in, made you curious, and made you feel invested in what happens next.

That’s because our brains are wired for stories.

Facts and statistics? They fade.

A great story? It sticks.

Fix It:

Before you dive into advice or insights, tell a quick story to frame your message.

• Before selling a service, tell a story about someone — hopefully YOU! —who struggled before they found the solution.
• Before offering advice, share a mistake you made and what you learned.

🚀 Pro Tip: A great story is short, specific, and emotional. It doesn’t need to be dramatic—just real.

4. You’re Not Hooking People from the Start

Most readers decide within a few seconds if they’ll keep reading.

If your opening sentence doesn’t grab them immediately, nothing else matters.

Here’s what not to do:

❌ “In this article, I will discuss three strategies for increasing engagement in your writing.”
❌ “Many professionals struggle with content marketing in today’s fast-paced world.”

Nobody cares.

Fix It:

Open with something unexpected. Make them lean in.

✅ A question: “Most of my clients are surprised to learn that the #1 reason people ignore their emails has nothing to do with your subject line. Could this be you, too?”
✅ A bold statement: “Your blog posts are probably too boring because most blog posts in the world are too boring. Here’s one way to fix that.”
✅ A mini-story: “Last week, I sent an email with just one sentence. It got a 78% open rate. Here’s why.”

🚀 Pro Tip: Write 5 different opening lines before choosing one. Your first idea is rarely the best.

5. You’re Not Asking for Engagement the Right Way

You can’t just hope people will comment, share, or reply.

You have to invite them to participate.

But here’s the mistake most people make: They end their writing with a generic CTA like “Let me know your thoughts.”

Nobody responds to that. It’s too vague.

Fix It:

Ask for specific engagement:

• Instead of “Tell me what you think,” try “Have you ever sent an email that totally flopped? Hit reply and tell me what happened.”
• Instead of “Comment below,” try “What’s the best email subject line you’ve ever written? Drop it in the comments—I’ll share my favorite.”

🚀 Pro Tip: Make it easy — and maybe even fun — for people to respond by giving them a simple question or prompt.

The Bottom Line: People Engage with What Feels Personal

If your writing is being ignored, it’s not because your content isn’t valuable. It’s because it’s not making people feel something.

Fix that, and you’ll see engagement skyrocket.

And if you want to master this skill, that’s exactly what we’ll be working on inside the Mastermind Accelerator: Storytelling for Newsletters & Online Writing.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

✅ Write emails that people actually open (and read to the end).
✅ Make your newsletters must-reads.
✅ Craft blog posts and LinkedIn content that get shared.

📅 Spots are filling up—sessions start May 12.
🔗 Reserve Your Spot Now →