3 Simple Tips For Good Business Writing
Good business writing is good business.
Every aspect of business, from marketing materials to running effective meetings requires clear, compelling writing.
For many the mere thought of writing a letter or memo that will be read by lots of peers, will make your writing hand tremble.
Fear not. Good business writing is a skill that can be learned. Hopefully no lives depend on you writing the "great American novel", but you can learn to enjoy the writing process.
Many professionals have negative thoughts about their writing skills. Just thinking about filling a blank page can cause 10 acute excuses for writer's block.
Memories of red slashes from college professor's pens, misplaced commas, misspelled words, and dangling participles come flooding back.
Business writing does not have to be a chore.
It is simply about communicating clearly, making your point and getting out. No-one gets hurt.
Here are 3 Tips of Good Business Writing:
1) Your readers are busy people. . . get to the point already.
You're a business person, you want results. We all have a job to do, a deadline to meet. Right?
People want clear, straightforward, simple communication.
Your team is made up of individuals who have their own agendas, responsibilities, time constraints, and problems. They also have a method of preferred communication.
Having a core concept for your team is great, apply it to communication. You must be able to connect with people on a personal level.
If you can't meet people where they are, they'll ignore your attempts at communication.
Make your sentences clear, direct, snappy, to-the-point.
Present one idea per paragraph, and try to stay on subject. Focus on connecting with your reader's needs. . . make sure you know exactly what information you want them to take away from your message.
2) What's The Catch? Where are we going? How do we get there?
You want your team to have questions when you write. You want their brains to activate and engage with the material you're presenting.
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Questions are the sign of an engaged reader.
As you draft your, hopefully, good business writing think about how you can engage your team, persuade them to see things from your point of view. Find alignment between the core message of your presentation and the core values of your team.
Keep your words few, focused, and pushing forward and people will follow.
Taking a business writing course can accelerate your skills.
3) Write for ClarityGood business writing is clear, crisp, concise. After all, you're not Leo Tolstoy. Get the message across and get out.
Structure your writings to get results, to have people take action, or to stop them from doing something.
Tips for Clear Writing:
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a) Breathe Deep - Shallow breathing is a throwback to the fight or flight mechanism.
As a business person a clear message is the equivalent of a cool drink of water, or a breath of fresh air. Breath deep and get some oxygen into your O2 starved brain.
b) Start with the intended result. Make sure you relate the consequences and benefits your trying to relay. Keep the end result or action you want your reader to take in mind at all times.
c) Give good business writing the time it deserves. Not everything needs to be polished. But give your piece the time it deserves and a quick glance before you send it out. This can prevent embarrassment later.
d) Kill your internal critic. Have you ever sat down to write and you can feel the words in your brain wanting to escape? You know your subject matter, but the words come out like you're trying to squeeze blood out of your forehead?
This is your internal critic messing with you, he/she is the scourge of all writers and must be ignored completely at all time. Just write. . . that's the secret to good business writing.
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