{"id":1248,"date":"2017-11-06T10:00:30","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T15:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/clearsightbooks.com\/?p=1248"},"modified":"2018-06-12T13:36:44","modified_gmt":"2018-06-12T17:36:44","slug":"top-business-writing-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.atlasendeavors.com\/wordpress\/top-business-writing-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"My Top Business Writing Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Lately I\u2019ve been fielding invitations to speak about general business writing\u2014from talking with an NC State MBA class about making a strong business case to speaking with nonprofit arts organizations about writing strong grant applications. I realized I have some common principles for business writing that I consistently offer as feedback.<\/p>\n

First and foremost, whether you\u2019re writing a recommendation, a grant narrative, or a project status report, make it as easy as possible for the reader<\/strong>. I offer the following business writing tips in support of that objective.<\/p>\n

Choose clarity over beauty<\/h1>\n

Your top priority<\/strong> in written business communications is to provide clear, complete information<\/strong>. If you happen to be a good writer and can make the words pretty, fantastic; do that second\u2014if you have time and it\u2019s important<\/em>. \u201cPretty\u201d might be important if you\u2019re writing marketing copy or the next great American novel, but not for most business writing. (Can you believe I said that? And I\u2019m a poet!)<\/p>\n

Be thorough<\/h1>\n

Provide all the information your audience needs and expects. If you are writing a grant application, answer all the questions. For a business case, fill out your company\u2019s template completely. When you can predict an obvious question, be sure to include the answer.<\/p>\n

Provide context<\/h1>\n

It can be tempting to load up your readers with data\u2014whether financials, system up-time metrics, or lists of other nonprofits you\u2019ve collaborated with. While you do need to provide data, what\u2019s often more important is that you interpret<\/em> that data. What\u2019s the story behind the financials? Why aren\u2019t we hitting our system up-time goals? If it\u2019s important for me to know you collaborated with other nonprofits, don\u2019t just list them; tell me how it benefited your constituents.<\/p>\n

Be concise<\/h1>\n

Use as many words as you need and no more. (Shall I stop there?) The admonition \u201cbe concise\u201d may seem at odds with \u201cbe thorough.\u201d It\u2019s not, but it does take practice to find the right balance. Circulating advance drafts to peers or key decision makers can help find that balance. Tip: If only a small minority of your audience needs certain information, place it in an appendix.<\/p>\n

Eliminate distractions<\/h1>\n

Do not give your readers a chance to get distracted<\/a>. Do not offer anything that leads them down a rabbit hole or that causes them to argue with immaterial points. (Material issues that require discussion are a different matter entirely.)<\/p>\n

Avoid these distraction-rich areas:<\/p>\n