10 Ways to Make Your Technical Content Feel Like a Conversation, Not a Manual

Think about the last time you read something you couldn’t quite follow. Frustrating, right? That’s how your clients feel when they run into jargon-heavy content. 

Your big ideas deserve clear words. When content gets buried in jargon, readers tune out fast. Not because they don’t care, but because it’s like you are speaking a different language. Fortunately, you can take even the most technical topics and turn them into content your audience will actually enjoy. Here are our tips on how: 

1. Start With the Client’s Problem

Technical details don’t matter if your audience doesn’t understand why they should care. Lead with the pain point:

• “Spending hours reconciling data manually?”

• “Losing visibility across projects?”

Once they know you get the problem, they’ll be more open to hearing how your solution works.

2. Translate Features Into Outcomes

Instead of listing specs, explain the result:

• “256-bit encryption” becomes “your data stays safe, even if a laptop is stolen.”

• “Cloud-native architecture” becomes “access your tools anywhere, on any device.”

Clients care about benefits, not buzzwords.

3. Use Analogies (But Keep Them Sharp)

A well-placed analogy can make a technical concept click.

• “Think of APIs as the handshake between apps.”

• “Your website’s back end is like the kitchen — the place where all the prep happens.”

Keep analogies simple, not cheesy, and relevant to your audience.

4. Break It Into Bite-Sized Pieces

Dense paragraphs full of acronyms lose readers. Use:

• Short sentences

• Clear subheadings

• Bullets and numbered steps

Make it easy to skim, even for someone who’s not technical.

5. Define Key Terms Once, Then Move On

If you need to use a technical term, define it clearly the first time and then stick to a single, simple word for the rest of the piece. You avoid repeating the same wall of jargon over and over.

6. Add Visuals

A diagram, infographic, or screenshot can explain what a hundred words can’t. Visuals make complex ideas easier to grasp and keep readers engaged longer.

7. Use Real-World Examples

Abstract explanations feel distant. Show how your solution works in a real scenario:

• “Here’s how a team cut their reporting time by 50% with automation.”

• “This process reduced downtime by three hours per week.”

Examples make technical claims believable.

8. Keep the Tone Conversational

Even serious topics don’t need to sound like white papers. Use language you’d say out loud to a client:

• Avoid passive voice and corporate filler.

• Use “you” and “we” to keep the reader in the story.

Conversational writing builds connection and trust.

9. Test Your Content on a Non-Expert

Give the draft to someone outside your industry and ask:

• “What does this mean to you?”

• “Is there anything you had to read twice?”

If they can’t explain it back simply, keep revising until they can.

10. Leave Readers With a Next Step

Once you’ve made the content engaging, don’t just stop. Direct them somewhere useful:

• Download a guide

• Watch a short video

• Book a call to see it in action

Engagement is only valuable if it moves them closer to a decision.

At Borrowed Pen, we turn jargon into copy that clicks. Work with us, and we’ll transform your technical expertise into stories that center your clients.