You know that feeling when you’ve got this brilliant, complex idea but you can’t seem to explain it without boring people to death? Yeah, we’ve all been there.
Let’s look at three ways to tackle this problem.
Option 1: Just Write Simpler
This is what most experts will tell you. “Use shorter sentences! Cut the jargon! Write at an 8th-grade level!”
Sure, that sounds great in theory. But when you try it, you end up with watered-down content that loses all the nuance and depth that made your idea powerful in the first place.
The problem isn’t that you need to write simpler – it’s that you need to think differently about how you structure complexity.
Option 2: Hire Someone Else to Simplify It
Many folks try to solve this by outsourcing. “I’ll explain it to a copywriter who can translate it into normal human language!”
This sometimes works, but it comes with serious drawbacks. The copywriter doesn’t have your deep understanding of the subject. They don’t know which nuances are critical and which can be safely simplified. And they definitely don’t sound like you.
What you end up with is content that might be easier to understand but loses your voice and often misses key points.
How to Do This Without MakerFlow
If you want to try this approach yourself, here’s a prompt you can use with any AI assistant:
I have a piece of content I want to simplify without losing its value:
[PASTE YOUR CONTENT]
Please help me rewrite this by:
1. Identifying the ONE core problem this content solves
2. Highlighting immediate pain points my audience experiences
3. Describing the desired outcome in plain language
4. Removing unnecessary jargon while keeping essential concepts
5. Adding conversational language that speaks directly to the reader
6. Focusing on practical applications over theory
7. Maintaining my authentic voice
This will give you a decent starting point, but you’ll still need to manually check for audience alignment, add your own examples, and ensure it maintains the right level of complexity for your specific situation.
Option 3: Use a Structured Simplification Framework
This is where things get interesting. Instead of just “writing simpler” or outsourcing, you need a framework that helps you:
- Identify the core problem your complex idea actually solves
- Connect it directly to your audience’s pain points
- Strip away unnecessary theory while preserving critical insights
- Restructure the content around outcomes, not concepts
- Add concrete examples that make abstract ideas tangible
With a framework like this, you keep the depth that makes your idea valuable while making it accessible to your audience.
How MakerFlow Makes This 10x Easier
In MakerFlow, this entire process is streamlined because:
- Your simplification framework is already integrated with your Voice guide, so the AI knows exactly how you sound
- It has access to your Audience Reference document, so simplifications are tailored to your specific audience’s knowledge level
- The Content Simplification template walks you through each step of the process
- You can instantly test simplified content against your World Bible to ensure alignment
- Everything stays within your connected knowledge system rather than floating around in chat logs
The result? Content that explains complex ideas clearly without dumbing them down, maintains your unique voice, and connects directly to what your audience cares about.
But the biggest difference? With MakerFlow, simplification becomes a natural part of your creation process, not an afterthought or extra step.
What You’ll Need:
- Complex content you want to simplify
- The Content Simplification template
- Your Audience reference document
Step-by-Step Process:
1. Identify Content to Simplify
- Select content that:
- Contains valuable ideas but is too complex
- Focuses too much on theory over practical application
- Uses unnecessary jargon or technical language
- Lacks clear structure or direct application
2. Apply the Simplification Framework
- Create a new note using the “Simplify Content” template
- In your Flow Architect chat, use this prompt:
I have a piece of content I want to simplify and make more accessible. The goal is to focus on the problems it solves and the outcomes it delivers rather than deep theory.
Here's the original content:
[Paste your content]
Please help me rewrite this by:
1. Identifying the ONE core problem this content is actually solving
2. Highlighting the immediate pain points my audience is experiencing
3. Describing the desired outcome in plain, simple language
4. Removing any unnecessary jargon or complex explanations
5. Adding direct, conversational language that speaks to the reader
6. Focusing on practical applications rather than theory
7. Maintaining my voice as described in my Voice guide
3. Structure for Clarity
- Reorganize the content following this structure:
- Clear statement of the problem
- Direct connection to audience pain points
- Straightforward explanation of your approach
- Specific, actionable steps
- Concrete expected outcomes
4. Add Concrete Examples
- For each complex idea, add a real-world example
- Where possible, include visual representations
- Use analogies that connect to everyday experiences
- Include specific scenarios where this applies
5. Test for Comprehension
- Review the simplified content against your audience reference
- Ensure it addresses their specific pain points
- Check that the language matches their level of understanding
- Confirm it delivers clear, actionable value
Want to Make Complex Ideas Easier to Understand?
MakerFlow gives you the frameworks, templates, and AI guidance to transform complex ideas into crystal-clear content that actually resonates with your audience.
No more choosing between being accurate and being understood. Build a business where complex ideas become your advantage, not your obstacle.
Learn more about how MakerFlow can help you communicate complex ideas…
