Getting organized
Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” (Winnie the Pooh)
If writing is poor in the business world it’s not because people don’t know how to write. It’s because they haven’t learned how to think before they write. Too often data and ideas tumble onto the screen at random. The result might be grammatical, but will it be comprehensible?
To take Pooh's advice to get organized, the first question to ask is, "For whom am I writing?" Every piece of writing has an audience, the nature of which will determine how the piece is written. Who are likely audiences in business?
• Peers you are trying to inform or persuade
• Bosses to whom you need to make a case
• Colleagues who need information and directives
• Customers to whom you are marketing goods and services
Here are the first two important questions for writers to consider as they sort through their data and thoughts:
• Who is my audience?
• What do I want my audience to learn or do?
Unlike fiction or journalism,business communications are linked to action. A writer wants someone to do something, so she must consider the reasons, means and direction that will move the reader to action.
If it sounds simple, it is,but first it requires knowing exactly who the audience is and what you want that audience to learn or do. Otherwise, like Pooh, the writing will be all mixed up.
Want to improve writing in your company? If you'd like to learn more about how better writing can improve your company's performance, send me an e-mail. I'd love to talk about how I can help.
To take Pooh's advice to get organized, the first question to ask is, "For whom am I writing?" Every piece of writing has an audience, the nature of which will determine how the piece is written. Who are likely audiences in business?
• Peers you are trying to inform or persuade
• Bosses to whom you need to make a case
• Colleagues who need information and directives
• Customers to whom you are marketing goods and services
Here are the first two important questions for writers to consider as they sort through their data and thoughts:
• Who is my audience?
• What do I want my audience to learn or do?
Unlike fiction or journalism,business communications are linked to action. A writer wants someone to do something, so she must consider the reasons, means and direction that will move the reader to action.
If it sounds simple, it is,but first it requires knowing exactly who the audience is and what you want that audience to learn or do. Otherwise, like Pooh, the writing will be all mixed up.
Want to improve writing in your company? If you'd like to learn more about how better writing can improve your company's performance, send me an e-mail. I'd love to talk about how I can help.
Comments