Everyone is busy. Whether it’s emails, reports, or social media, most people skim rather than read in depth. So how can we write in a way that ensures our message gets through?

In this episode, we’re joined by Todd Rogers, a Harvard Kennedy School professor, behavioral scientist, and author of Writing for Busy Readers. Todd shares the cognitive science behind effective communication and offers six actionable principles to help nonprofit professionals, educators, and leaders write clearly and concisely.

We also explore:
✅ The psychology behind why people skim instead of read
✅ A simple checklist to make writing more engaging and effective
✅ A free AI tool that helps writers refine their messages
✅ How nonprofits can apply these strategies without oversimplifying complex ideas

If you’ve ever struggled with getting your emails read, crafting compelling donor messages, or writing reports that don’t get ignored—this episode is for you.

Resources Mentioned:

Todd Rogers’ Book: Writing for Busy Readers
Free AI email editing tool: Writing for Busy Readers AI
Todd Rogers’ research homepage: Harvard Kennedy School

Hit play now, then subscribe to Nonprofit Nation for more expert insights!

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

What if we named things for what they're not? We'd give teachers non-apples and fly non-cars. Ridiculous, right? So why is your world-changing organization called a "nonprofit"? Truth is you're for-purpose. And the more you raise, recruit, and retain, the more good you can do.

That's where Bloomerang comes in. Bloomerang's Giving Platform is built for purpose, with easy-to-use tools and powerful insights that help you understand your donors better than ever and unleash generosity! (Slightly faster, more energetic) Imagine... spending less time on admin tasks and more time on what matters: your mission. Bloomerang customers raise an average of 26% more!

Ready to join them?

Take my free masterclass: 3 Must-Have Elements of Social Media Content that Converts

Conferences & Community: A Chat with Henri Helvetica

General Musings with Kevin Powell

Common Organizer Challenges and Speaker Experience

The AI-powered Podcast Player