business writing: write today

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When you’re writing for business, it’s vital that you aim for a conversational style. Write as you speak. If you gauge how you would speak to the audience you’re writing for, you’ll have the writing tone exactly right.

I was browsing online news releases this morning and came across a release with a headline that began: “From the depths of ___ comes ___”.

Have you ever spoken these words aloud to anyone: “from the depths of”?

The only time I’ve read these words was on a 1940s movie poster, I’ve never heard them used in normal conversation.

If you’re not sure whether you’re writing in a conversational style, read the piece of writing aloud — you’ll know instantly.

Technorati Tags: business writing, conversational writing style

It’s vital that you write clear subject lines in your email messages. Otherwise, you risk them being discarded as spam.

DON’T write:

* Great news!

* Guess what I just heard?

* hiya

DO write:

* New guidelines for Rafford

* Proof must be ready for the printer today

* More research required on energy project

An additional benefit of writing clear subject lines is that it’s easier to search your messages later.

Technorati Tags: writing email, business email

When you need to write a report or presentation by 11 am and it’s nine o’clock already, you can become paralyzed with fear.

Build a fast plan for your document. Here’s how:

Reduce your topic to a single core word and then brainstorm using a mind map or cluster. For example, if you’re writing a report on “Sales This Quarter”, cluster everything you need to include in the report.

Be completely relaxed as you brainstorm. Write down everything that occurs to you. Within a minute or two, you’ll have enough material for your report.

Start writing — fast. You can move paragraphs around later, and leave “XXX”s to mark spots where you need to insert additional information.

Finally, write a one-paragraph introduction, and you’re done.

Technorati Tags: write fast, brainstorm business writing