Confident Business Writing

Cut The Introductions: Business Writing Tip

2008-05-27T21:25:47+01:00

This week's business writing tip is to cut the introductions: you can waste valuable words introducing yourself or your subject matter.

Cut to the chase and you'll save time and energy, your own and your reader's, and help them pay attention to the stuff that really matters.

Click the play button to listen to the tip.

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

What's Up With Our Writing At Work? Taster Session

2008-05-20T16:57:36+01:00

If you’re frustrated with the business writing you see round about you, you’re not alone.

It’s estimated that millions of pounds are wasted each year as people wade through poorly written documents, struggling to make sense of what’s been written, wasting time looking for the point.

We suffer the consequences of poor business writing because:-

Large organisations use a lot of jargon and cliches
Bureaucracies create a language of their own
Individuals and organisations are afraid to say things they way they are
It takes more time, thought and effort to say things clearly
People aren’t taught business writing, either at college or when they join an organisation
Most people are expected just to pick up how others do it
Those people we’re copying might have a poor writing style themselves
Many people remember (or misremember) grammar rules from school, and apply those rather than going for a Plain English style
Anxiety about getting grammar rules ‘wrong’ can leave people tongue-tied
It’s hard to develop your own voice when everyone else writes another way

Looking for waffle

Many large organisations are beset by jargon and waffle: writing that skirts around a subject, and never gets round to a clear simple point.

Waffle is the opposite of saying what you mean. It’s excess words, complex sentences, jargon and cliches, writing 10 sentences when one would do. Vague and unspecific language so you still don’t know what the writer means when you get to the end of it.

What does waffle look like to you? What kind of waffle do you have to read at work?

To increase your awareness of examples of good (and bad) business writing let’s start with a bit of review work. Take some time looking for examples of waffle in the writing you’re reading (and maye writing!) this week.

What do you notice? What are the worst examples you came across? Did you notice any examples in your own writing? Where would you start trying to cut it out?

Adding Some Heart To Your Business Writing

Business writing isn’t just full of jargon and waffle – it’s often also missing a human touch. Although we might not often think about ‘heart’ in relation to writing at work, adding a bit of ourselves to our writing can make a big difference.

In this 5 minute audio writing tip, first recorded one Valentine’s Day, you’ll hear some practical ways to add some heart into your business writing to create more powerful connections, establish rapport, and build trust.

Just click the play button below to find out how to warm up your business writing.

Action Points To Take Forward

Look out for examples of waffle in the writing at your workplace. Did you notice any examples in your own writing - things you could cut out or change in the future?
Think about ways you could add more heart to your business writing, creating a powerful connection with customers, clients and colleagues
Take the next step in writing with greater confidence: sign up for the six week e-course on confident writing at work

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

Articles On Good Business Writing

2008-03-24T16:47:58+00:00

Here's a selection of articles I've written on good business writing. Dip in and enjoy!

Authentic Writing: Plain English Tips to Sound Like Yourself At Work

"Plain English is the easiest way to break out of bad habits and to start sounding like a human being again. Short sentences, everyday words and a conversational style can transform the way that you write -- and the impact you make."

Are These 5 Grammar Mistakes Costing You Business?

"When I'm looking at your material for the first time and I stumble over grammar mistakes it affects the way that I view your business. It alters the way that I think about you and the kind of service that you might be able to offer me. And if I'm reading a website that's littered with fundamental grammatical mistakes - well chances are I'll hotfoot straight out of there and take my business elsewhere."

The Ingredients Of A Credible Writing Style

"Changing your writing style won't allow you to 'fake' honesty - but paying attention to your words will help your credibility and authenticity to shine through. Keep cutting away at the flannel, the waffle, the sales pitch, the jargon - and reveal, with confidence, a closer picture of the truth that lies within."

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count

Business Writing With Confidence: An ABC Guide

2008-03-24T16:36:58+00:00

Confident writing is an essential part of effective business communication.

I'm guessing most people would agree with this statement but how many of us have the skills or the confidence to put it into practice?

There are so many blocks that can get in the way. Anxiety about grammar rules can leave people tongue tied. All too often business writing is seen as a barrier, a stumbling block rather than something that can add value to your contribution at work.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to learn the rules of a grammar book to write with confidence at work. You just need to work on three basic elements of good business writing: authenticity, brevity and clarity. It’s what I call the ABC guide to confident writing at work.

Writing with authenticity

Writing with authenticity means being real, sounding human, sounding like yourself. It’s great for creating rapport with other people, whether that’s your colleagues, customers or potential clients. Most people want to do business with another human being and it’s even better if that’s someone they feel they can get to ‘know’ and trust.

To make your writing more authentic:

* Make use of plain, everyday words

* Use a conversational style

* Find your own words and drop the jargon

Writing with brevity

Most people are drowning in information overload. So much for the paperless office – most of us are suffering from too much paper, a deluge of e-mails and more reports than we’ll ever have time to read. You’ll really start to win friends and influence people if you keep your writing short and to the point. Your readers will thank you for the time and effort saved, and you’ll also make your message more punchy, powerful and memorable.

To write with brevity:

* Keep each sentence short

* Cut out excess words

* Write within limits

Writing with clarity

You’ve got something important to say so you want your writing to stand out. Clear writing makes it easier for people to read, follow and understand what you’re saying. Now this is the place where grammar does come into play because there are some rules – whether you like it or not – that are there to help us understand your meaning. You need to master these basic rules if you want your message to be clear and easily understood.

To write more clearly:

* Know your point

* Manage your writing

* Keep it simple

The most important thing is keep it short, keep it simple, use plain language, know your point and stick to it.

These are the fundamental rules of good business writing and if you apply them you will find it easy to write with authenticity, brevity and clarity.

Effective business writing needn’t be hard – it can be as easy as ABC.

This is a shortened version of Business Writing With Confidence: An ABC Guide

First published at Ezines by expert author Joanna Young

Joanna Young, The Confident Writing Coach
Because our words count