Are you writing content people will read?

This week on the podcast, Denzil brings the warmth and wit of our Letter from the Editor newsletter straight to your ears! This episode dives into the art of creating content that truly resonates. Denzil reflects on a conversation with Matt Lundquist, the owner of Tribeca Therapy, and unpacks how writing with a bold point of view can make your work relatable and memorable.

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Transcript

Denzil Ford: 0:04

Oh, hi, and welcome back to Radio Front Desk. In this episode I'm going to be talking you through some of the things I shared in my most recent newsletter. So if you want to give it a read, go ahead, but if you'd rather listen in, then let's get into it. Ever read something and think, oh, are they in my head right now? Or maybe you pause because those words feel so familiar, so real, that you could have said them yourself. I was talking with Matt Lundquist, the owner of Tribeca Therapy, on Radio Front Desk recently. Our conversation got me thinking. With so much content out there, how do you create something that people actually want to read? According to Matt, it's all about writing content that feels genuine, the kind of content with a clear point of view that makes people stop and say, oh, this hits home.

Denzil Ford: 1:00

Let's think about Matt's blog for a second. There you'll find posts like Tell your therapist you're mad at them. It's bold, right. It dives into something people have probably thought about but never admitted out loud. Another one Welcome to motherhood. You may thrive, but you're gonna suffer too, and that's okay. That one balances raw honesty with a splash of reassurance Scary and comforting all at once. Those kinds of posts strike a nerve because they talk about stuff we're all feeling but hardly ever put into words. It's not fluff, it's not dressed up jargon. It's real, human and unapologetically honest. When you nail this kind of content the kind with a clear, bold point of view, it doesn't just make your clinic a resource. It makes you relatable. It makes people genuinely remember you. Think about it. When potential patients look you up online, do you want them to see you as just another person selling a service, or do you want them to also see you as someone who gets it, someone who understands what they're facing on a deeper, more human level? My guess is it's the latter. Now I get it.

Denzil Ford: 2:16

Writing doesn't come naturally to everyone. Even Matt, who's gotten really good at this, works with a writer. This writer chats with him, pulls out his best ideas and turns his words into blog posts. That system works great for him, but maybe taking on writing yourself feels like the right move for you. If so, I have some tips to make the process less overwhelming and way more doable. Here's how you can start writing in a way that feels real. You can start writing in a way that feels real, strikes a chord and actually works.

Denzil Ford: 2:47

First off. Pay attention to what people care about. You'll find your best ideas just by listening. What are your clients bringing up all the time? If there's a topic or theme that keeps popping up, it's probably something more people care about than you realize. Of course, you can't share specific client info Confidentiality is a non-negotiable but real life patterns from your work can inspire you. For example, if you're a mental health therapist, you could write about how finding the right therapist is often trial and error and that's okay. Or if you're a physical therapist, maybe it's admitting that sticking to those at-home exercises isn't so easy.

Denzil Ford: 3:30

When you tackle topics that reflect actual concerns instead of random hypotheticals, your writing resonates. And when you layer in meaningful perspectives, something that reflects how you see it, you create a connection that SEO tricks can't compete with. Second, add a personal touch. Don't shy away from sharing your own stories. People want to connect with you, whether it's something small or big. A personal anecdote makes your writing hit differently. It humanizes your voice, shows the person behind the title and, honestly, it sticks. Think about it like this when someone knows you get it because you've been there, they trust you more.

Denzil Ford: 4:14

My third tip is to keep your ideas organized. I love breaking down my ideas into categories or buckets. It just makes everything feel more structured for you and the reader. For example, you could have buckets like mental load, burnout or taboo health topics. Organizing this way keeps your content focused and cohesive. Plus, it makes planning so much easier because you're not scrambling to pull ideas from everywhere.

Denzil Ford: 4:43

My fourth tip don't fear a little controversy. This might be the hardest tip to follow, but it's worth it. Don't avoid a topic just because it might ruffle a few feathers. I'm not saying every post needs to be a mic drop moment, but sometimes writing about something you've been hesitant to tackle actually leads to your best content. Why? Because if it's been on your mind, odds are it's been on someone else's too. For example, matt once wrote a post about the suffering that comes with motherhood. It was a hard-to-talk-about topic, but that's exactly what made it resonate. People connected with it because it wasn't sugar-coated and it wasn't something everyone was saying out loud.

Denzil Ford: 5:29

If you've got a topic you've been chewing on, go for it. The engagement may surprise you and finally write like you're talking to a friend. Here's a golden rule to keep things simple and real. Write the way you'd talk to someone over coffee or, in my case, matcha. Start with something conversational like here's a trend I've been noticing lately, or something my clients keep mentioning, is that kind of intro pulls readers in and makes them feel like you're talking directly to them. And remember, no matter what you're writing, whether it's a website bio, a blog post or even an Instagram caption it's your chance to show who you are and how you can help. Every word matters, but they don't have to be perfect. If you've got an out there idea you've been wanting to try, or you've leaned into your voice and seen big results, I'd love to hear about it. Maybe something here sparked an idea for you. If so, run with it and let me know how it goes. Thanks for hanging out with my thoughts. Keep it real, keep it simple and don't overthink it. You've got this.