Business Writing Tips

Writing Misconceptions

You probably haven’t received any training in writing since you were in school. And that instruction probably didn’t prepare you for writing business pieces, such as reports, marketing materials or articles for your company’s website. Academic papers and essays follow a structure that starts with a statement of purpose or a thesis, followed by support of the thesis, methodology and results, and a conclusion. Business writing, by contrast, opens with the conclusion – a statement of the benefits of your proposal.

Novice writers share certain tendencies, including adopting a formal tone, copying someone else’s writing style and using big words when common words read more fluidly, like saying “endeavor” instead of “try.” Stay true to your voice. Use natural, conversational words. Your goal is to keep people reading to the end of your piece, so your writing must engage your audience.

Getting Started

Plan your article. Starting without thinking through your writing strategy is like cooking without reading the recipe; you might discover you’re missing key ingredients halfway through. Define your objectives and your target audience. For...