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Write like you mean it.
​Build trust.
​Get things done.

Business, government, and solo professionals: 
​
​​Make the switch to plain language to get your point across clearly – the first time, every time.

Make your brilliant ideas impossible to ignore.

Kia ora, I'm Jen Olson.
​I'm a plain language trainer and writer. 


​I help small teams and professionals write complex information so it's clear, concise, impactful, and easy to read. ​
Photo of Jen Olson

Heres' why plain language makes such a difference.

Saves time
No more wading through dense, hard-to-follow documents. You and your readers will get to the point faster.

​
Builds trust
When people understand you, they’re more likely to trust you. Ditch the corporate speak, jargon, and dense academic language - without losing accuracy.

​​Values people

Plain language respects your reader’s time and attention. Are they busy? Stressed? Scanning on their phone? Reading in an additional language? Make it easy for them to find what they need, understand it quickly, and use it with confidence.

​
Still you
You don’t have to sound stiff to sound smart. Learn to write in a way that feels clear, purposeful, and comfortably you.

When you nail plain language, everything changes.

  • Stakeholders really read your reports.​
  • Clients trust your recommendations faster.
  • Decision-makers act on your advice instead of asking for clarification.
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What you have to say is important.

Plain language uses everyday words and a clear, logical structure - with your readers firmly in mind. This doesn't mean cutting out technical details, dumbing down, or making everything sound the same. Your writing will be so clear, people will understand the first time they read it. 
Plain language works for any subject:
  • Business
  • Government
  • Science​
  • Health
  • Education
  • Community & more

What I offer.

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Plain language training.

You're smart and switched on - and want your writing to really land with your audience. Get some practical tools to write clearly and with more impact.
​​Plain language essentials
Learn how to use plain language. You'll leave the workshop or one-on-one coaching session with practical tools you can use straight away.

Report writing
Learn to structure reports so they make sense to your readers. Use clear structure they can navigate, headings that guide them through your content, and executive summaries that hit the mark.
learn more
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Writing & editing.

When you're under the pump, a fresh set of eyes can help you get your point across clearly, and in plain language.
Just a polish
I'll tighten up the language and structure of your existing documents. They'll be clear and concise, and still full of technical goodness. 

Some editing
​Give me your draft and I'll help you translate your complex document into plain language.

Writing help
I'll help you write reports, summaries,  and website content. 
Learn more
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Infographics.

Our brains do less work to digest visual content. Add some infographics to your next report to help your readers absorb information more easily.
Get visual
​​​I can help you create charts, tables, diagrams or detailed illustrations. Support your reports, websites, presentations, and proposals so your readers understand you faster.
learn more
TESTIMONIAL

"Jen's training was practical, engaging, and fun. We could immediately see how plain language would improve our day-to-day work.​"

"What really resonated was a simple shift in thinking: Put yourself in your reader's shoes.
  • What do they need to know?
  • What words and structure will help them understand?
When you give people the information they need up front, it helps them understand – and highlights your expertise.  Plain language is now an essential skill in our team's toolbox."

Sonya Whitney, Chief Operating Officer, UniMed

What is plain language?

​Plain language (also called plain English) is writing that is easy to understand the first time you read it. It's about using everyday words and a logical structure with your readers firmly in mind. 

It's not about cutting out technical information, dumbing down, or making everything sound the same. ​It's about writing for your readers so it's clear, concise, and easy to understand.
Connecting with your readers.
Readers value your writing more when you ditch 'corporate speak', jargon, and dense academic language. 

​Using plain language tells people: you matter, and we want you to understand what’s going on.
​
​Plain language:
  • Reads the way you talk
  • Is respectful and inclusive
  • Retains technical information
  • Focusses on your audience
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Some plain language examples.

​A council process.

​The accountability for the maintenance of the information within the register and the administration lies with the council’s freshwater officer.
In plain language.

The council's freshwater officer maintains the register.


​A legal statement.​​

Accordingly, additional geotechnical requirements were implemented in order to ensure that continuing development within the zone to which the earlier, rather unfortunate nomenclature “undevelopable” was initially attached, was furthered in a manner which took account of those geotechnical issues.
In plain language.

Experts said the land in this zone was not suitable for development until more geotechnical tests were done.​
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​Jen Olson  |  Cromwell  |  New Zealand
​[email protected]  |  +6421 054 2391
© Plainly 2023 ​
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  • Submission on PLA repeal