• 3-minute read
• 14th October 2018

5 Tips for Brilliant Business Writing

Good writing is good for business. And for everything from business plans to emails to colleagues, you will want your writing to be clear, concise and compelling. Check out our tips below, then, to ensure your business writing is always the best it can be.

1. Different Strokes for Different Folks

‘Business writing’ covers many different documents aimed at different people. As a result, you should adapt your writing style to suit the situation.

If you are writing a business report for investors or company bosses, for example, you would adopt a formal tone and the content may be quite technical. But advertising copy aimed at the public should be simpler and less formal to give it a broader appeal. Before you start writing, then, think about who you are writing for and what they will need.

2. Structure Your Writing to Guide the Reader

The best structure will depend on the document type, but we do have some general tips to share. For example, you should try to:

• Set out your main points early on so your reader knows what to expect; in longer documents, this may include providing an executive summary
• Use subheadings to break up the text and guide the reader
• Use formatting such as italics, bold fonts and bullet points to make key information stand out for skim readers

3. Beware Jargon

Technical jargon and buzzwords can be useful, but they can also be alienating for outsiders. We therefore suggest avoiding industry lingo unless you are 100% certain your readers will understand it (e.g. if you are writing for an audience of technical experts).

It is usually much better to explain things in simple, everyday terms when possible. And while this is especially true for writing aimed at the public, it also applies to internal documents.

4. Brief Is Best in Business Writing

In the business world, time is money. Being able to make your point quickly and clearly is thus a valuable skill, and you should always make business writing concise. This may include:

• Looking out for redundancies and repetition in your writing
• Using single words in place of phrases where possible
• Using the active voice instead of the passive voice
• Redrafting and editing to focus entirely on your key points

If you are worried about cutting something, you can sometimes move it to an appendix. It will then be available if required, but it won’t distract from the main thrust of your writing.

5. Proofreading Pays for Itself

Even minor typos can turn into expensive mistakes, and errors in your writing can make you seem careless. To ensure you make the best first impression on colleagues, customers and clients alike, then, you cannot afford to skip the editing and proofreading process.