You don’t have to be a Wall Street broker or “finance bro” to care about financial news, but it can feel overwhelming for the average person. The brain is wired to avoid things we don’t understand, which is why financial news articles and news packages that are riddled with technical vernacular may make the audience tune out. The goal for journalists is to connect with readers by writing content that’s digestible and easy to understand.
One way to do this is by focusing on relatability, explains business and data correspondent Brian Cheung. “People tend to avoid information that’s complex and unfamiliar,” he says, so he recommends writing in a style that feels approachable. This doesn’t mean “dumbing down” the content or treating the reader like they’re incapable of understanding the major points, but rather making it clear how the latest news can affect their personal lives.
For example, when discussing a new development in the stock market, he suggests mentioning what it could mean for a typical investor’s portfolio and how that might impact their overall financial goals. Similarly, when writing about inflation, he recommends including details about how price hikes can impact everyday goods and services, such as food, rent and gas.
He also emphasizes the importance of providing tips readers can use to solve real-life problems. Whether it’s budgeting hacks, ways to improve credit scores or step-by-step guides to saving for a large purchase, these kinds of strategies build trust and keep readers coming back for more.
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