You're writing to a diverse group of stakeholders. How can you ensure inclusivity in your tone?

Understanding diversity and practicing inclusion is THE ONLY WAY to go. It's always better to use a formal and a neutral tone. Maintain a professional tone and respect. Do not assume people understand what you say, it's always better to explain in a better detail. Make the writing conversational respectfully. Ask them questions in between. Pro tip: Use websites or tools like grammarly that actually tell you about the tone of your text. Alternatively, you can also use ChatGPT or Gemini to adjust your tone and get proper feedback. That helps you with your brand voice and tone and writing so you can make necessary changes :)

To ensure inclusivity in your tone, understand your stakeholders' diverse backgrounds, use clear and simple language, and avoid jargon and cultural references that may not be universally understood. This makes your message accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or expertise.

When you start writing, always take a “Global First” perspective to account for cultural diversity. Imagine that anyone from anywhere in the world can and will be reading what you write. In the era of the internet, this isn’t too far from reality. When it comes to creating inclusive content, you need to know that It’s also a matter of educating yourself on all the types of people to be conscientious of. You need to understand that inclusivity involves race, ethnicity, nationality, culture, gender, sex, sexual orientation, disability, mental health, education level and more.

This is what the New York Times said about Kamala Harris after the 2024 DNC: "Joy Isn't A Strategy." Barack Obama used hope as a strategy and ended-up governing as a Moderate Republican. This is painful to admit, mostly because it was so dreadful watching Yes We Can turn into Maybe We Shouldn't. The truth is this... Joy isn't a strategy, it's a tone and if your stakeholders cannot get on board, they're tone deaf which means you're at the wrong convention, you're producing the wrong video, your coalition is doomed to failure. Inclusivity is a word designed as a Jenga Trap. Everything collapses when you try to make everyone happy. At some point, you have to know what you stand for in order to fight for greatness.

Assumptions lead to misunderstandings. We assume things, and later on, we need to correct them. This should not be the case. You have to clarify everything beforehand. Making assumptions leads to unnecessary challenges. People love those who understand them. Do not assume what others think or want from you. Ask the questions directly and then start working. You never know what exactly the other is thinking. If you need more clarification, please don't hesitate to ask.

During my five weeks writing course with the African Liberty Writing Fellowship, before I was fully inducted as a writing fellow, one of the many valuable pointers that was reiterated during the course duration was 'how to write clear without using high jargon.' More like what George Orwell said that good prose should be like a window-pane, transparent to the reader and reflecting meaning without the smears of poor construction or the cloudiness of jargon. Assumptions color every word we write. It’s impossible not to make assumptions whenever we dive into a writing project, but we endanger the effectiveness of our writing if we fail to acknowledge their presence. All readers will never have the same knowledge level.

To communicate inclusively, avoid assumptions about your stakeholders' knowledge, beliefs, or experiences. Steer clear of industry-specific jargon or acronyms without explanation and provide context for concepts or historical events. This approach helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that everyone can follow along, regardless of their background or expertise.

Use inclusive language to effectively write for a diverse audience. Choose words that do not discriminate based on gender, race, disability, or other personal characteristics. For instance, use 'they' as a singular pronoun to avoid gender assumptions and opt for gender-neutral job titles like 'firefighter' instead of 'fireman.' This practice demonstrates respect for all stakeholders and fosters a more welcoming and inclusive environment.

Feedback is key! Always seek diverse perspectives on your drafts. As an editor, I've found incorporating regular feedback rounds essential. This ensures that language and tone resonate across all audiences, keeping communication clear and inclusive. Involving stakeholders early and often not only enriches the content but also builds trust and inclusivity, making sure everyone feels represented and respected in the final piece.