Mastering the Art of Writing: Why It Matters and How to Improve

Before diving into improving your business /digital writing, let's tackle the fundamental question: Why bother honing your writing skills? The answer is simple: writing is the most scalable form of persuasion. I've walked that path – kicking off my journey in the PR agency realm, where crafting compelling pitch emails to journalists and editors was a cornerstone of my role. Countless hours were dedicated to research, ensuring the story angles for my clients were compelling and backed by solid data, all in pursuit of securing valuable features for them.

Over time, business writing evolved from just a job for me into a pathway to success in the corporate world. Whether it was crafting case studies, whitepapers, press releases, blog posts, FAQs, speeches, LinkedIn personal branding, change management communication strategies, investor call scripts, annual reports, or executive communications – I was handling it all and with a commendable success rate.

What helped me:

?Clarity: It's crucial to think and write clearly, as poor thinking often results in poor writing. When crafting a piece of work, organizing thoughts is key. People assume writers can effortlessly translate their thoughts onto paper, but even skilled writers face challenges. Personally, there are days when writing doesn't flow naturally for me, and more often than not, it's because I haven't clarified the end goal or the problem statement we're addressing with the writing.

Fun fact??: It's estimated that around 80% of what you write will be passable, but the real magic lies in the remaining 20% - that's where good writing emerges, along with a plethora of fresh ideas ????. Take, for instance, the approach of Jeff Bezos, who famously banned PowerPoint presentations in Amazon meetings in favor of narrative memos for better understanding. This shift wasn't solely about changing presentation style; it was a purposeful decision to promote clear, long-form thinking, comprehension, and communication. Unlike PowerPoint presentations, where thoughts are easily disguised by excellent design skills, long-form writing encourages transparency and clarity. ??

So, how does one sharpen writing skills? I am sharing a few tactics:

?Identify the audience reaction you want: Keep the end goal in mind before you start writing = identify the reaction you want from the readers. Whether you aim to inspire awe, provoke thought, or prompt engagement, clarity on your desired outcome guides your content creation process. For instance, imagine crafting a tweet that sparks curiosity, leading to viral engagement. By engineering your content to evoke the desired emotional response, you increase its likelihood of resonating with your audience.

?Define your desired action: Every piece of writing should have a purpose. Whether you want your audience to buy a product, share your content, or forward it to a friend, clarity on your desired action shapes your messaging and calls to action.

?Condensing Your Message into Memorable Takeaways for the Readers: In a world bombarded with information, brevity is key. Before you start writing, distill your main message into one impactful line or takeaway. Remember, people are more likely to remember sentences than books. So, focus on crafting a concise and memorable message that resonates with your audience long after they've finished reading.

Fun fact??: In the realm of the internet, it's essential to unlearn the lengthy, filler-laden writing style often taught in school. Instead, prioritize clarity and conciseness. Write in accessible language, as if you're communicating with readers at a 5th to 8th-grade level. Avoid using jargon and opt for easy-to-understand words. Trust me – this strategy works!

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??Do you face writer’s block? Does your business face content writing problems where the content generated isn’t leading to new customers Fret not- I am here to help. I'm here to collaborate and solve your business communication problems.

??If you love my content, hit the Follow Button ?? and comment /share/like ??

??I'm also available on topmate.io, where I offer mentorship services in content creation, LinkedIn personal branding, and digital media and content strategy. You can book 1:1 by clicking on the link mentioned in my LinkedIn biography. Let's chat and learn together.

??Here’s a little about me:

I specialize in working with C-suite leaders, VCs, and founders who are eager to enhance their brand management strategy on LinkedIn and other digital platforms. With over 15 years of experience in content marketing, executive communications, editorial strategy, product marketing and adoption, crisis communication, and PR, I bring a wealth of expertise. Colleagues often describe me as someone who turns strategy into actions and is the go-to person for stakeholder management. I have a diverse background, having worked in both tech and non-tech sectors, and I'm passionate about topics like climate change, mentorship, diversity equity inclusion, quantum computing, storytelling, and fintech.

#LinkedIncreators #contentcreation #storytelling #personalbranding #corporate communications #contentwriting #contentwritingtips #internalcommunications #executive communication, #employeecommunications

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