Innate talent counts, of course, but there is another, more important factor: Putting the time and effort into consistent learning and practice. The writers we admire most have typically invested thousands of hours honing their craft and refining their voices.

Let’s face it—some people are born with superior language skills and get early exposure to literacy that enables them to use their inborn capacities to their advantage. These people might become the glittering literati of their generation. Yet even they put hundreds of hours into developing their craft before they gain the limelight. If they write at work, their reports are the ones that get kudos from top management, while other docs languish in the “unread” pile.

What about those of us who may not write the great American novel or even the great American email? The good news is that writing isn’t an all-or-nothing game. Each of us can improve our communication abilities, regardless of where we start. The question isn’t whether you can become the next Hemingway, but rather how much you can make the most of the talent you have through training and preparation.

Of course, no law says that you have to become a better writer. If you decide that putting in the hours to become your best writing self is not worth the effort, that’s your choice. However, if you are not improving your skills, you are losing ground. You might have to resign yourself to a lifetime of emails and phone calls asking you, “What did you mean?” or saying, “I didn’t understand what you wrote.” Or prepare to be ignored. The price of poor writing is a painful one.

Great athletes put in thousands of practice hours before TV commentators call them “naturals.” When you persevere in the effort to be a better business writer, you, too, can feel like “a natural.” By sharpening your skills, you will gain these advantages at work:

• People will be happy to hear from you.
• People will understand you the first time they read your words.
• People will be more likely to agree with your proposals.
• You are more likely to be promoted to ever more significant positions of responsibility.

If you decide to invest in superior writing, many resources are available to you — books, classes, blogs, apps, AI algorithms. You simply need to open the treasure box of tools to take the next step in your writing journey. Good luck!

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Did someone send this Writamin to you? Sign up here.

Did you miss last month’s Writamin on The Human Advantage: Improving Business Writing in the Age of AI? See it here.​

To read my recent Inc.com columns:

​This Strategy Helps Humanize Your AI-Generated Content​

​Include a Call to Action to Get the Results You Need​

​4 Ways to Tame the Email Tsunami in 2025​

​3 Essential Writing Tasks that AI-Assisted Writing Programs Cannot Do For You​

Read my article in Harvard Business Review about how to move your business writing from “average” to “great” by using the Three P’s.

The post Why Are Some People Better Business Writers Than Others? appeared first on Worktalk.

When we can type at lightning speed and send messages in a nanosecond, who needs handwriting? As it turns out, we all do. Handwriting shows people we care about them, makes us think more carefully about what we write, and proves that AI didn’t compose our letter. Moreover, brain research shows that handwriting builds connections in the brain that cannot be accessed by typing.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the first personal letter on record was written by a man called Arrianus to his brother 2,000 years ago under Roman rule. The content would be familiar to us today – comments on friends and family, inquiries about his brother’s wellbeing, and topical chat. From that ancient beginning, the art of letter-writing bloomed, reaching its apex in the 18th century, when gentlemen and ladies penned long, thoughtful letters to one another (think Jane Austen).

With the advent of the typewriter, handwritten letters became less common, although many people still wrote social and personal letters by hand. Fast forward to the 21st century, when handwriting began to seem like an anachronism. Schools’ recent abandonment of cursive writing signals the establishment’s assumption that typing is the way of the future.

However, there are benefits to writing by hand, especially when writing to someone we feel close to – or someone with whom we seek a closer relationship. Research and common sense indicate that we should rethink capitulating to the allure of nimble-fingered digital communication.

Here are three reasons why, the next time you want to convey a personalized, important message, you dig your fountain pen out of the box it’s been sitting in since high school, pull out a notecard or clean piece of paper, and start writing.

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​Writing by hand shows that you care.

Handwriting requires more time and effort than typing. Your readers know this; they appreciate that you cared enough to put the extra effort into reaching out to them. I recently sent a handwritten holiday card to an important client. A week later, I received a beautiful handwritten card from her, and she said how much she appreciated receiving a handwritten card. That card cemented me into her memory in a way that a holiday greeting by email could never do.

2. Handwriting makes you think more about what you write.

Who among us has not dashed off an email to a key business contact, only to read it later and rue our rush? When you write by hand, you have to slow down. You see every word as it emerges from your pen. You may even write out a full draft before you copy it into your card. While handwriting will not entirely protect you from writing something you’ll regret, it makes you more conscious of your words.

3. Handwriting proves your message was not written by AI.

AI-composed writing is everywhere. When we read emails and articles today, we might be hard-pressed to know whether the document was written by a human or a machine. When you write by hand, your reader knows the message came from a living, breathing human, who put the effort into communicating, rather than outsourcing your relationship to an algorithm.

All these reasons speak in favor of writing by hand, but there is more. When we write with a pen or pencil, our brains process information more effectively. Research indicates that students who take notes by hand understand and retain lessons better than their iPad-toting peers. Writing by hand truly engages us in the communication process – something many of us rarely experience.

So if you’re thinking of sending a Valentine or love letter, write it by hand. If you want to show a customer you appreciate their business, send a handwritten thank you.

The rarity of handwritten letters makes them stand out from the email onslaught that barrages people every day.

P.S. This Writamin was written by hand with a favorite fountain pen while sitting in a cafe in Venice, California. Ah, the bliss of being away from a computer.

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The post Show You Care: Write By Hand appeared first on Worktalk.

Many writers plunge into their work without a clear destination. They don’t stop to think about their goals, but hope their reader will manage to decode the message about which they themselves are unclear. But this approach wastes time and is unlikely to achieve results. Successful writers think about their desired outcome before they even touch the keyboard.

Start by asking: What should readers think, feel, or do after reading this piece? Your answer shapes everything that follows.

• Writing an email to set up a meeting? Don’t vaguely request “Let me know your availability.” Instead, write “Can we meet Thursday at 3 p.m. to discuss project updates?” This specific request drives action.
• Writing a memo about new fire safety protocols? Your goal isn’t to have readers stash the information away with other non-relevant emails. “Please read the following carefully and confirm receipt of this email after you’ve read it” will alert readers that the email is relevant. Then format the content to make it easy to follow and understand.
• Writing a persuasive proposal? Imagine the decision you want readers to make. Then build your argument to lead them there. Address their concerns early. Present your solution clearly. Support it with evidence. Create a path that guides them toward agreement.

Once you clarify your goal, organize your message to achieve it. Map out main points, anticipate objections, and craft a compelling call to action.

For example, you could break down a proposal for a new marketing initiative into the following sections: an introduction to the need for the initiative, the proposed solution, supporting data, and a closing call to action that encourages the decision-maker to approve the plan. By clearly mapping out these sections ahead of time, you ensure that the document remains focused and persuasive from start to finish.

When you start with clarity about what you want to achieve, you create a document that resonates with readers and leads them to the action you desire.

In the end, writing isn’t just about stringing words together; it’s about shaping an experience for your readers, guiding them through your ideas and encouraging a specific result. Whether you’re seeking to inform, persuade, or request, your message will always be stronger when you begin with the end in mind.

So, the next time you sit down to write, ask yourself: What do I want the reader to think, feel, or do after reading this? As you continue in your writing life, remember to think about the end result you are striving for. Focus on that as you organize, plan, and write your document. You will be amazed at the outcome.

copyright 2025 Elizabeth Danziger

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​Call Worktalk When:

• Companies lose customers due to poor messaging from sales and customer service teams;
• Clients complain about communication from professional service firms’ staff members;
• Employees need to humanize the output of AI-assisted writing programs so it doesn’t sound fake;
• Employees need help developing the right prompts for AI-assisted writing programs to generate more effective outputs;
• Employees waste time repeatedly emailing one another because their messages are unclear.

Contact me at lizd@worktalk.com or 310.396.8303.

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The post Begin With the End in Mind: The Key to Purposeful Writing appeared first on Worktalk.

Here’s how to craft meaningful thank-you emails for different audiences, complete with templates to make the process easier.

Why Gratitude Emails Matter

Gratitude emails are more than just kind words; they serve a deeper purpose:

• Strengthen relationships: Acknowledging others’ contributions or presence reinforces connections.
• Build goodwill: A simple thank-you can enhance trust and pave the way for future opportunities.
• Reflect and celebrate: These emails provide a chance to reflect on the year’s successes and express genuine appreciation.

By taking the time to write a thoughtful message, you demonstrate that you value others’ efforts, trust, or support.

Key Elements of a Gratitude Email

For a gratitude email to feel personal and genuine, include these elements:

1. A warm opening: Start with a friendly and engaging greeting.
2. Specificity: Mention why you’re thankful and highlight specific actions or moments. Writing “Thank you for all you do,” is less effective than “Thank you for always making sure my proposals are turned in on time.” Saying thank you for everything is like saying thank you for nothing.
3. A forward-looking note: Express hope or excitement for continued connections in the future.
4. A thoughtful closing: End with a sign-off that matches the tone of the relationship.

Personalization is key. A cookie-cutter message won’t leave the same impact as one that feels tailored to the recipient. This means you must make the effort of writing individual emails to each person. A mass-mailed email has little impact and can even alienate some readers.

Templates for Gratitude Emails

1. Clients

Clients are essential to your success, and a thank-you email can reinforce their trust in your business.

Subject: Thank You for an Amazing Year Together!

Hi [Client’s Name],

As the year comes to a close, I want to thank you for being such an integral part of [your company’s name]’s journey. Collaborating on [specific project or service] has been one of the highlights of this year.

Your trust and partnership have made an enormous difference to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support you in [specific goal or outcome they achieved].

I look forward to what we can accomplish together in [upcoming year] and to continuing our partnership.

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

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2. Coworkers

Coworkers play a significant role in your day-to-day successes. A gratitude email fosters camaraderie and acknowledges their efforts. Pair it with a small gift and it will have even greater impact.

Subject: Grateful for Your Support This Year

Hi [Coworker’s Name],

As the year ends, I want to thank you for your incredible support and contributions. Your dedication to [specific task or project] has made a big impact on our team’s success.

I’ve appreciated your [specific quality, e.g., creativity, reliability, or positivity], and I feel fortunate to work alongside you.

Looking forward to tackling new challenges together in [upcoming year]! Wishing you a happy and restful holiday season.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

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3. Friends

For friends, a thank-you email is a chance to deepen personal connections and acknowledge the importance of their presence in your life.

Subject: Grateful for Your Friendship

Hi [Friend’s Name],

As this year wraps up, I want to tell you how much your friendship has meant to me. From [specific shared experiences] to simply being there when I needed someone to talk to, your support has been a gift.

I’m so grateful for all the laughs, advice, and memories we’ve shared this year. I can’t wait to see what adventures [next year] brings us!

Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, love, and plenty of [mention something they enjoy, like good food, cozy evenings, etc.].

With gratitude,
[Your Name]

Final Thoughts

A thank-you email doesn’t need to be long or elaborate to make an impact. By tailoring your message to the recipient and including specific details, you can create a meaningful note that strengthens your relationship.

As you prepare to close the year, take a few moments to send gratitude emails to those who’ve made a difference in your life. It’s a simple yet impactful way to reflect on the year with positivity and build stronger connections for the future.

So, who’s first on your gratitude email list?

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​Call Worktalk When:

• Companies lose customers due to poor messaging from sales and customer service teams;
• Clients complain about communication from professional service firms’ staff members;
• Employees need to humanize the output of AI-assisted writing programs so it doesn’t sound fake;
• Employees need help developing the right prompts for AI-assisted writing programs to generate more effective outputs;
• Employees waste time repeatedly emailing one another because their messages are unclear.

Contact me at lizd@worktalk.com or 310.396.8303.

The post Gratitude emails build relationships appeared first on Worktalk.

When politicians, business leaders, and others use words to blur their meaning rather than clarify it, both writers and readers suffer. The main cost of divorcing words from their meaning is a loss of ability to think clearly. As the saying goes, clear writing is a sign of clear thinking. When people cannot think coherently, they cannot write coherently and vice versa. Fortunately, however, Orwell’s essay offers hope. He believed that if each individual takes it upon himself to use fresh, compelling images, avoid pretentious language, and write clearly, we can change the world one word at a time.

I recommend that you read the entire nine-page essay (just Google the essay’s title and you can find the pdf or book). Here I offer you a few excerpts from the piece. He suggests that writers ask themselves six key questions and follow six rules:

“A scrupulous writer will ask himself these questions:

• What am I trying to say?
• What words will express it?
• What image or idiom will make it clearer?
• Is this image fresh enough to have an effect?
• Could I put it more shortly?
• Have I said anything that is avoidably ugly?”

Once we have answered those questions, we must write our document. For this, too, Orwell has practical suggestions that apply to all writers. He says, “What is above all needed is to let the meaning choose the word, and not the other way about.” Here are the rules he suggests:

1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech that you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word when a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive voice where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.

As the author of 1984, Animal Farm, and numerous outstanding essays, Orwell knew about good writing. I hope you will take his advice and eschew obfuscation forever.

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​Call Worktalk When:

• Companies lose customers due to poor messaging from sales and customer service teams;
• Clients complain about communication from professional service firms’ staff members;
• Employees need to humanize the output of AI-assisted writing programs so it doesn’t sound fake;
• Employees need help developing the right prompts for AI-assisted writing programs to generate more effective outputs;
• Employees waste time repeatedly emailing one another because their messages are unclear.

Contact me at lizd@worktalk.com or 310.396.8303.

Did someone forward this Writamin to you? Sign up here.

If you missed the last Writamin on being gruntled that irregardless is a word, find it here.

The post George Orwell’s Call to Action appeared first on Worktalk.