10 Steps to Effective Business Writing
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Transcript of 10 Steps to Effective Business Writing
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS…TO EFFECTIVE WRITING!
1. Understand the Demand for Good Writing
2. Know Where You’re Taking Your Readers
3. Be Explicit, Clear, and Concise
4. Grab Your Readers’ Attention
5. Write with Rhythm to Hold Your Readers
6. Organize to Help Your Readers Understand
7. Choose a Tone that Produces Good Results
8. Put Your Best Grammar on the Page
9. Edit, Rewrite and Refine
10. Master the Documents You Use Most Often
WHY is effective writing
important to us?
• A recent survey by Cohesive Knowledge Solutions revealed that working professionals spend 40% of their
day on activities related to email – a 1/3 of which is considered wasted time.
GRAB YOUR READERS’ ATTENTION
Did you know?
On a typical day, the average worker is exposed to 3,000+ marketing messages!
The problem-solution-next step approach:1. Problem: what is the problem you want to
address?
2. Solution: What do you recommend?
3. Next step: action items?
CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE TONE
Know your readers:
Readers who are openbe conversational
Readers who are indifferentBe persuasive
Readers who are hostileFind common ground
EDIT, REWRITE AND REFINE
• Take breaks between drafts
• Read from your readers’ POV
The 3 Stage Editing Process: 1. Message
2. Organization
3. Mechanics
Ask yourself:• Is the purpose or bottom line
clear?• Is the action required clear?• Are the major points clear?• Is the tone appropriate?• Is the message written in a
positive way?