Like it or not, the nature of the modern world has made writing a critical part of business. Whether it is writing a proposal, emailing, posting on social media, or texting, having writing skills is something most professionals now need for success. If you have never thought of yourself as a very good writer, there are a few things you can learn to quickly improve your skills. With a little effort, you can write with clarity and your emails, memos, and presentations will all be more professional as a result.
Learn Industry Vocabulary
The first building block of all writing is learning relevant words and terminology. Many professionals do not familiarize themselves with commonly used vocabulary in their respective industry that does not directly involve their role. That is a mistake. Being able to communicate about issues and understand things from a broader context will make you a more effective team player. Learning about the departments and positions of others in your organization, including the terminology, will allow you to connect with more people and make a bigger impact. Start by reviewing company manuals and training materials that are available to all employees, and become familiar with all vocabulary and work concepts you do not understand.
Get a Feel for Effective Writing from Industry Experts
Aside from reading company manuals and advertising materials to become familiar with industry lingo, it is important to read as many books as you can that relate to the type of business you are in. Just like fiction writers read a lot of novels to get familiar with good writing in that genre, a person who wants to improve their business writing will want to read as many books as they can on business topics related to his or her position. If you are a stock broker, read books about trading by successful brokers. Most people who are successful authors in a given field have mastered the language of that field, so it is important to become familiar with their words. This will give you a feel for how clear writing should read.
Write More and Get Feedback from Colleagues
Begin practicing what you learn. If you learn about a new concept in your industry and want to share it with someone, whether it is a client or a coworker, then write about it. Aside from learning vocabulary and getting a feel for successful writing, it is essential to practice writing. It is also essential that once you have written something to ask for feedback. Do not just ask anyone, however, ask people at within your organization to read a memo before you send it out or to edit your presentation before you present it. This will help you gain insights and feedback from other professionals on how your writing measures up as far as industry standards are concerned. Gathering as much professional feedback as possible will allow you to get the perspectives you need to make solid changes.
It is possible for anyone to become a good writer in their respective industry. All it takes is some effort to learn the language and terminology of that industry. If you study new words, read the works of industry giants, and learn from colleagues, you will have the information you need to write with clarity and precision. As a result, your writing will stand out and new success will likely follow.
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