When was the last time you sent someone a handwritten note? Can’t remember? I thought so. 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, […]
show you care: write by hand Read More »
The Talmud asks, “Who is wise? He who sees the end from the beginning.” Stephen Covey echoes this in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People when he urges us to “begin with the end in mind.”
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.
Begin with the end in mind: the key to purposeful writing Read More »
Even the most compelling email content is worthless if it’s never opened. Mastering the art of the subject line is crucial for ensuring your messages don’t end up in the dreaded Trash folder before they are read.
When deciding whether to open emails, readers look first at the sender. We all have people whose emails we will open no matter what is in their subject line. But the subject line determines whether the vast majority of emails will be opened or ignored. To get decision-makers, clients, and colleagues to actually read your messages, here are five tips for writing gripping subject lines.
Why Your Business Emails Go Unread Read More »
The managing director of a large wealth management company recently complained to me that his staff seemed unable to forge warm relationships with the firm’s clients. “They are reluctant to pick up the phone or invite the client to lunch,” he lamented. “Even their emails veer between formal and stilted or breezy and inappropriately casual.” Recognizing the need for improvement, the firm hired me to work with them, and soon, their team showed a greater awareness of practicing the language of connection.
Effective verbal or written communication is crucial for building strong relationships in the workplace. When we write at work, we aim to engage our readers and achieve a specific purpose, such as gaining approval, obtaining information, or fostering collaboration. However, if readers feel that you do not care about or understand them or that you have disregarded social norms they value, their minds may close. Then, you will fight an uphill battle to get your point across.
Here are four ways to build rapport and inspire greater loyalty and satisfaction in your readers.
4 Ways to Build Relationships With Language Read More »
In today’s whirlwind business environment, concise communication is crucial. With emails, reports, and memos flooding inboxes daily, the ability to streamline your business writing can ensure that you are the person whose messages are read and understood. Conciseness saves time for the reader, although it might require the writer to apply more little grey cells. As 18th-century British lexicographer Samuel Johnson wrote, “Easy reading is hard writing.” Here are some strategies to help you master the art of brevity in your business writing.
First, embrace the principle that less is more. Instead of padding your sentences with unnecessary words or phrases, aim to be brief. Words like “just,” “very,” and “most” are often unnecessary, as are many adjectives and adverbs. Shorter emails and documents are easier to read and require less time and effort from the reader. In an age of endless inputs, it pays to streamline the reader’s experience.
The Art of Conciseness: 5 Ways to Master Brevity Read More »
