It doesn’t matter that it makes sense to you. There’s no excuse that you just didn’t have the time. The fact is: direct, clear writing that gets straight to the point requires a strong central argument and a voice that embodies your character and your conviction. But too often a combination of habit and intimidation get in the way of effective writing. It’s not a question that we can’t write better – it’s that we don’t actually steer the writing process. We let a series of bullet points form the core of a message. No wonder so much office communications becomes nothing more than white noise. But you’ve already developed the verbal skills needed to navigate your way through countless tricky situations, whether it’s arguing with your phone company or dealing with a disgruntled colleague. Somehow when you sit in front of a keyboard, that ability is lost. You go soft. You hold back. You strip away your personality. You rely on facts to tell your story, without imposing a structure to your idea or expressing yourself in a voice that will force your readers to do the one thing you have to do first – and that’s read your correspondence. Just think if you used the same tactics to complain to your phone company or convince a friend that they are throwing their vote away. When you speak, your brain intuitively organizes information and expresses it in your own distinctive voice. That’s why writeup designed its Power Writing Workshops to tap into the natural power of your speaking voice that is key to making your writing much more persuasive. You log hundreds of hours each year at your keyboard – why not get the attention and results your ideas deserve?
“The writing skills coming into the workforce are more deficient than ever before.” – Paul Fink, senior vice president, CBRE/Postmedia 2012