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3 Tips to Immediately Improve Your Written Communication

David Sherry
2 min read
3 Tips to Immediately Improve Your Written Communication
deathtostock.com

I wanted to address the most common issues/problems that I see Founders facing when it comes to written communication.

Writing is a skill, and there are very simple tips that will drastically improve your ability to write something that is relevant to who is reading what you're writing.

There are dozens of common wisdom tips in writing but these are the tips that are often ignored.

However, if you apply this to your writing you will immediately improve your impact.

1. Write Specifically

Most times writers use bland, vague verbiage.

We say...

"We're looking to hire a Marketing Assistant for our team, does this sound like you?"

When we could instead say...

"Our remote-friendly startup, team of 10, is looking for a Junior Marketer seeking to grow their chops in the e-commerce space. Just out of school is perfect, in the EST time zone ideal, and must love TikTok."

Here are the keywords that someone who is reading this would find RELEVANT.

"Our remote-friendly startup, team of 10, is looking for a Junior Marketer seeking to grow their chops in the e-commerce space. Just out of school is perfect, in the EST time zone ideal, and must love TikTok."

Specificity creates relevance to your reader.

In this example, you are intentionally signaling for precisely who would find this posting relevant.

Tip: Use specific language to fix bland copy whenever possible.

2. Get to the Point

"So, what's the point?"

Ask yourself this question at the end of everything you write, and see if there is a clear answer to this question. We skim when we read because we're looking for what really matters.

What you're really trying to say gets lost in all of that full copy. Be direct about it.

The point is to state what you want/need/think simply and clearly.

Tip: Ask, "What's the Point?"

3.  Write Contrarian Statements

Words like "However" "But" and "Instead" create a twist in the plot.

Things are going along, you're agreeing and then you use the terms to create tension.

When you create tension in writing, people want to follow through to the point of resolving the tension. You should be refuting what is expected when possible. Unexpected is interesting.

We pay attention when something is not as it seemed.

Tip: Use, "However, But, Instead."

You thought you knew what great writing looks like, however, you were never taught a few simple tips that will help you improve immediately, and that's a shame...

Great business writing uses specific language to become relevant to the reader, it answers "So what's the point?" It creates tension to keep a reader interested.

Use each of these tactics today to immediately improve your writing.

Bonus Resource: read "The One Sentence Persuasion Book"

I would summarize it for you, after all, it is literally only one sentence. But the effect happens when you read it for yourself. So I recommend you pick it up or just find the PDF online.

Interpersonal Communication