Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication
Lessons from Steve Jobs' time in India
In the early 1970s, a young Steve Jobs journeyed to India in search of enlightenment.
Immersing himself in the country’s spiritual traditions, Jobs stripped away distractions, living simply and focusing on the essence of life. This experience profoundly influenced his approach to design and innovation, shaping his philosophy of simplicity.
Jobs once said, "Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains." This philosophy became the cornerstone of Apple’s success, evident in its elegantly designed products, which focus on user experience over unnecessary features.
But what does this have to do with property descriptions?
Everything.
When writing about homes, the goal isn’t to bombard buyers with a gazillion features but to evoke the feeling of living there. The best descriptions are like Jobs’ designs—simple, clean, and impactful. They convey the story of a home in a way that resonates emotionally.
To achieve this, focus on three elements:
Strip Back the Clutter: Avoid flowery language and redundant adjectives. Instead, use precise, evocative words that bring the space to life.
The Future Memory: Imagine the buyer reflecting down the track about aspects of the home they’re loving - eg: ‘I knew living in Paddington would have its advantages, but saving time in traffic means I get to do more laps in the pool and linger over coffee before I head to the office.’
Keep it Human: Speak to the buyer’s lifestyle aspirations. A well-written description isn’t about the house; it’s about how the house will make them feel.
By embracing Jobs’ mantra of simplicity and marrying it with storytelling, you create property descriptions that not only inform but inspire. After all, it’s not just bricks and mortar you’re selling—it’s your buyer’s future happiness.