On today’s walk (eight kilos in the vest, hello shoulders 👋), I riff on quick, practical communication moves that create instant cut-through at work. I share a client story where we kickstarted a 90-day sprint with a one-take video (record → Descript → captions → Loom link) and the responses rolled in. Then I unpack BLUF—Bottom Line Up Front—so your reader gets the “why” and “what now?” in the first sentence. Finally, I share my favourite P.S. trick that consistently wins the most clicks in my emails.

Key Takeaways

• Weighted-vest wisdom: training with extra load makes “normal” feel effortless. Same with communication—add structure now so future you moves faster.
• Video as a pattern-interrupt: a one-minute invite beats a long kickoff email. Record once, ship everywhere.
• BLUF > burying the lede: lead with the decision, action, or ask; add context below.
• Write for the reader, edit for clarity: you can think on the page—just rearrange before you hit send.
• The underrated P.S.: people scan. A clean, single CTA in the P.S. often wins the click war.
• Subject line signals help everyone: start with [ACTION], [REVIEW], or [APPROVAL] to set expectations.
• Work Fame move: being clear and easy to work with is a brand.

Mini Templates You Can Steal

Subject line starters

• [ACTION] Approve vendor shortlist by Fri 20 Sep
• [REVIEW] Draft scope v2 – comments by Wed 5pm
• [INFO] Kickoff video: 90-day sprint overview (2:03)

BLUF email skeleton (copy/paste)

Bottom line: <one sentence ask/decision>.
What I need from you: <action + due date>.
My recommendation: <if relevant>.
Context: <2–4 lines max>.
Links: <doc/video>.
P.S. If you only do one thing, do <single CTA>.

Video kickoff run-of-show (what I did with my client)

1. One take on phone: why this matters → who’s involved → clear CTA
2. Airdrop to laptop → edit in Descript → add captions
3. Upload to Loom → share link
4. Email using BLUF + put the Loom link again in the P.S.

P.S. line examples

• P.S. 90 seconds explains everything—watch here.
• P.S. Visual person? Here’s the Loom.

Try This This Week (10-minute challenge)

• Send one BLUF-style email today.
• Add a single, scannable P.S. with your core link.
• Record a 60–90s one-take Loom to replace your next status novella.

Tools I Mentioned

Descript, Loom, weighted vest (for the training nerds 👀).

*New* You're invited to join Leanne's free community, Work Fame.

Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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Email me: hello@leannehughes.com

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