0
Five Business Writing Strategies That Get Results
Posted by on Dec 12, 2009 in Native Speakers
Melinda Copp asked:
The purpose of business writing is to effectively express your message to your reader, whether that is a potential customer, associate, or a person interested in joining your business. In business communication your message must be clear, concise, and compelling to get the most favorable response. To make sure your business writing is effective in whatever goal you are trying to achieve—whether that is to make sales, recruit members, or inform the public about your business—you can use the following strategies.
1. Know Your Audience
The first and most important consideration to make before you do any form of business writing is your audience. Knowing your audience is the best way to decide what type of language to use, how to format your message, and what the best approach is to getting your desired response. If your audience is a lay person or the general public, your writing should be much different than if you are targeting people in your field.
2. Avoid Jargon and Industry-Specific Terminology
Although you usually want to sound intelligent and professional in business writing, you should stay away from industry-specific or complicated language if your target audience is not from your technical field. Using big words and technical jargon may make you seem smart, but readers are much more likely to respond favorably to writing that uses familiar words. Using language that is common and easily understood will make your message easier for readers to understand—and enjoy.
3. Keep it Simple
The complexity of the language you use is important, which is why concrete terms that will have a meaningful impact are better to use in your business writing than vague and abstract terms, no matter who you are writing for. Don’t be tempted to use a lot of snazzy adjectives to describe your product or business, stick with concrete terms that will leave a specific impression in the reader’s mind.
4. Say What You Mean in as Few Words as Possible
Another key to successful business writing is to use as few words as possible to get your message across. It may seem like the more copy you have the more impressive your message will be, but readers will quickly tire of reading fluff and your message will be lost. Make the most of the words you use by choosing powerful verbs and only using adjectives when necessary. Keep your sentences short and make sure the message you are trying to convey comes through in every sentence.
5. Know Exactly What You Want to Say
The last thing to remember for effective business writing is to have a goal or message in mind before you start writing. Decide what you are trying to accomplish and develop a plan that compels the reader to take your desired course of action. If your goal is to inform your reader, your writing should be different than if you are trying to sell something to your reader.
Informative copy should be designed to be highly interesting and give the reader a reason to notice your product or business—features. If your goal is to sell something, your copy should peak interest with features, as well as give the reader a compelling reason why they should buy your product—benefits. In either case, end with a strong call to action that tells your reader exactly what you want them to do next.
Better Business Writing in Your Future
Business communications must be clear, concise, and easy for your audience to understand—as well as compelling enough to entice your reader to take action. When you use these five strategies for improving your business writing skills, your written business communications will get results!
The purpose of business writing is to effectively express your message to your reader, whether that is a potential customer, associate, or a person interested in joining your business. In business communication your message must be clear, concise, and compelling to get the most favorable response. To make sure your business writing is effective in whatever goal you are trying to achieve—whether that is to make sales, recruit members, or inform the public about your business—you can use the following strategies.
1. Know Your Audience
The first and most important consideration to make before you do any form of business writing is your audience. Knowing your audience is the best way to decide what type of language to use, how to format your message, and what the best approach is to getting your desired response. If your audience is a lay person or the general public, your writing should be much different than if you are targeting people in your field.
2. Avoid Jargon and Industry-Specific Terminology
Although you usually want to sound intelligent and professional in business writing, you should stay away from industry-specific or complicated language if your target audience is not from your technical field. Using big words and technical jargon may make you seem smart, but readers are much more likely to respond favorably to writing that uses familiar words. Using language that is common and easily understood will make your message easier for readers to understand—and enjoy.
3. Keep it Simple
The complexity of the language you use is important, which is why concrete terms that will have a meaningful impact are better to use in your business writing than vague and abstract terms, no matter who you are writing for. Don’t be tempted to use a lot of snazzy adjectives to describe your product or business, stick with concrete terms that will leave a specific impression in the reader’s mind.
4. Say What You Mean in as Few Words as Possible
Another key to successful business writing is to use as few words as possible to get your message across. It may seem like the more copy you have the more impressive your message will be, but readers will quickly tire of reading fluff and your message will be lost. Make the most of the words you use by choosing powerful verbs and only using adjectives when necessary. Keep your sentences short and make sure the message you are trying to convey comes through in every sentence.
5. Know Exactly What You Want to Say
The last thing to remember for effective business writing is to have a goal or message in mind before you start writing. Decide what you are trying to accomplish and develop a plan that compels the reader to take your desired course of action. If your goal is to inform your reader, your writing should be different than if you are trying to sell something to your reader.
Informative copy should be designed to be highly interesting and give the reader a reason to notice your product or business—features. If your goal is to sell something, your copy should peak interest with features, as well as give the reader a compelling reason why they should buy your product—benefits. In either case, end with a strong call to action that tells your reader exactly what you want them to do next.
Better Business Writing in Your Future
Business communications must be clear, concise, and easy for your audience to understand—as well as compelling enough to entice your reader to take action. When you use these five strategies for improving your business writing skills, your written business communications will get results!