1.
Wait 3 minutes. People who spend a little more time deciding exactly what
they want to write create much better memos and emails, in about a third of the
time! The extra effort allows you to organize your thoughts.
2. Start with THE BOTTOM LINE.
Forget buffers and fluff, get right down to the subject at hand. (EX:
"We've discovered three surprising ways to cut costs immediately.") Your
first impression is made in the first seven seconds of what the reader sees, good or bad.
3. Write the way you talk.
The most effective writing today sounds like normal conversation. We're all
wired to be more receptive to messages that feel like a bona fide human connection.
4. Make you last word count.
Drop the formula "sign offs" like "sincerely" for something
much more personal and unique like "wishing you the best". A positive
ending stays with the reader and makes a more favorable difference in their response.
Sources: Jane K. Cleland "Business
Writing for Results", Jill Spiegel, corporate communications coach. |