Practical Sales Training™ > Selling Communication Basics > TL;DR
TL;DR
What Is It?
TL;DR stands for “Too Long, Didn’t Read.” It’s a quick summary you drop into a message so people get the point instantly. No need to read every word to understand what you’re saying.
Why Does It Work?
It works because it gets to the point fast. You’re handing your reader a neat summary of everything that matters. They get it before deciding whether to read the rest. That respects their time, and most people notice when you do.
How Can You Use It?
Add a TL;DR to the end, or even the start, of a social post or email. Use it to say exactly what you want in as few words as possible. Think of it as your safety net for busy readers.
When It Works Best
This works best on longer messages. A busy reader might otherwise skim past your actual point. It also helps on social platforms. People there scroll fast and read even faster.
When It Becomes Dangerous
This becomes risky if your TL;DR doesn’t actually match the rest of your message. A summary that oversells or misrepresents what follows damages trust fast.
Common Mistakes
Writing A Vague Summary
Don’t write a vague TL;DR that says nothing useful. If it doesn’t capture the actual point, it’s just extra text nobody needed.
Burying It Under Jargon
Never use a TL;DR to bury the real message under jargon. The whole point is clarity, so keep it as plain and direct as you can.
TL;DR – An Example
A founder writes a long, detailed post explaining a pricing change to her customers:
“TL;DR: Prices go up 10% next month. Lock in the old rate by upgrading before then.”
Busy readers get the entire message in one line. Anyone who wants the full reasoning can simply keep reading below it.
See also
- The Inverted Pyramid Effect
- The Recency Effect
- 25+ Selling communication basics
- 140+ ways to be easier to buy from
