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Less is More: The Art of Editing
The Jeremy Campbell Lesson:
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The hardest part of storytelling isn’t knowing what to say—it’s knowing what not to say.
We often think that adding more details, more words, or more visuals will make a story better. But the reality? The best stories aren’t made in the first draft. They’re shaped in editing.
If you want to tell a story that sticks, you have to be willing to cut the good to make room for the great.
Our BFF Jeremy has been preaching this for years. When we get bogged down with facts and unnecessary details we miss the message.
Why Cutting Improves Your Storytelling
The brain processes and retains concise messages far more effectively than information overload. A study published in Harvard Business Review found that audiences remember clear, concise messaging nearly 50% better than information-dense content.
Another study from Princeton University found that when information is streamlined and focused, audience comprehension and engagement increase significantly.
This means that removing unnecessary details makes your story not just easier to follow, but more memorable.
The Power of Cutting: What Hollywood Can Teach Us
Some of the most iconic stories became great because of what they cut.
Titanic (1997)
James Cameron originally included a subplot involving Rose’s actual fiancé having an affair. But after test screenings, he cut the scenes—because they distracted from the real story: Rose and Jack’s romance. The result? A cleaner, more emotionally resonant film.
Jaws (1975)
The mechanical shark used in Jaws kept malfunctioning during filming. The result? Spielberg was forced to cut down the amount of time the shark appeared on screen—which accidentally made the film scarier, because the unseen danger was more terrifying than what audiences could actually see.
Steve Jobs’ Keynote Speeches
Steve Jobs was known for his minimalist presentation style. His slides contained only the essential points, often just a single word or image. Research from Duarte, Inc., a leading communications firm, shows that audiences retain information 22% better when slides contain fewer words and more focused visuals .
The lesson? Less is more.
How to Become a Better Editor: 3 Practical Techniques
Want to make your storytelling sharper? Use these three editing techniques to cut the good and keep the great.
1. Identify Your Core Message
Before you start cutting, ask yourself:
What is the one thing I want my audience to remember?
Does every sentence, scene, or slide support that idea?
Pro Tip: If a section feels important but doesn’t reinforce your core message, cut it—or save it for another story.
2. Be Ruthless with Repetition
We naturally want to emphasize key points, but saying the same thing in different ways can weaken your impact.
Instead of repeating your message, find the strongest way to say it once.
3. Read It Aloud and Watch for Drag
When you read your work out loud, you’ll hear where the pacing slows, where a sentence feels clunky, or where a scene drags.
If your attention drifts while reading, cut or tighten that section.
Pro Tip: If you’re editing a speech or video script, record yourself reading it. Listen back and see where you naturally lose momentum.
The One Question Every Editor Should Ask
Legendary screenwriter William Goldman (The Princess Bride, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid) had a rule: If you can remove a scene and the story still makes sense, you don’t need it.
The next time you’re editing, ask yourself:
If I cut this, would the story still work?
If the answer is yes, let it go.
The Bottom Line: Great Storytelling is Great Editing
Every storyteller—whether you’re writing, speaking, or presenting—needs to be willing to cut the good to make room for the great.
- Identify your core message.
- Be ruthless with repetition.
- Read it aloud and watch for drag.
Because the best stories aren’t the ones with the most details—they’re the ones that leave the biggest impact.
Want to sharpen your storytelling?
Book a free coaching session with Scout Stories today.
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