The business of writing for business - tips for creating effective, clear and relevant content.
Text that is unclear or confusing can be problematic for a business; it can cause unexpected complications, misunderstandings and frustration for the writer and reader, and that can impact the bottom line. Here are some pointers to help with effective writing.
Write for your audience. Consider who you are communicating with and why. The better you understand their concerns, their motivators, their failings and their strengths, the better you will be able to tailor your message to them, and the more impact it will have.
Use the right tone. Report writing is usually business-like and devoid of emotion, whereas a letter to someone who is recovering from an illness or terrible loss will need to be empathetic and understanding. Using the right tone lends your message credibility.
Be clear about the purpose of your message. Do you want the reader to do something, or are you just providing information to them? If you want your audience to take action be clear about what it is. If your message is only to inform make sure it’s clear and easily understood. Avoid jargon if your reader is unlikely to understand it, or if it is key to the message, explain what it means up front.
Keep it simple and consistent. Use language that the reader will understand and that is appropriate for the situation. An academic audience with a deep knowledge of your topic will probably feel comfortable with more complex words and sentence structures, but if your message is aimed at a class of year one students, plainer language is probably best.
Use a clear font and simple format. A clear, consistent format with logical sequencing improves readability, which means that the reader is more likely to focus on the content, and that’s the bit you want them to understand.
If you need help or haven’t the time to write documents, let me know!
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