šŸ“How to use analogies (+ examples)

They're like a cheat code for your writing.

Author

Maria Marchewka
February 26, 2025

345 words ā¬‡ļø

I love analogies.

I use them often in my writing.

They make things click for people.

If you want to use them in your writing, here are three tips to get started:

  1. Understand it.

If you donā€™t understand what youā€™re talking about, you canā€™t clearly explain it.

The best analogies are when you highlight specific aspects of your ideas that readers might struggle with.

This helps you create more targeted and relevant comparisons.

  1. Use common experiences.

Analogies are used to promote the understanding of the unfamiliar.

Choose comparisons from everyday life that readers will recognize.

The more universal the point, the more accessible and easy it is for your audience to understand.

Here are a few more examples:

  • A website without SEO is like opening a business and not telling anyone.

  • A company without consistent branding is like a TV that changes its characters every episode.

  • The first line of a LinkedIn post is like the bait on the end of a fishing hook - it gets people to bite and pay attention.

  • Building strong relationships with your customers is like any relationship; it requires communication and trust to last. 

  1. Keep it simple.

Keep your analogies short and vivid. If you have to over-explain to create a connection, thatā€™s your sign to try again. Your analogies should feel fluid, not forced.

These tips are like a video game cheat code. See what I did there?

Your Turn

Try it for yourself by following these steps:

  1. Identify the core concept you want to explain.

Building a presence on LinkedIn.

  1. List 2-3 characteristics that people might struggle to understand.

Requires consistency in content creation and community engagement.

Gradual way to build trust with your audience.

Results take time but compound.

  1. Come up with everyday experiences that align with your concept.

Gardening.

Example:

Building a presence on LinkedIn is like planting a garden. Every post is a seed that you nurture with community engagement. While it takes time for things to bloom, eventually, by consistently showing up, your garden will blossom and lead to opportunities.

Before You Go

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