Five writing tips to make your messages stick

Given the current economic crisis and the fact that employees are probably feeling overloaded with constantly changing information, ensuring your communications grab and hold your readers' attention is probably more important than ever.

"The ability to write well is fundamental not only to business success - but to that of your career also, especially if you're now taking on different responsibilities or a new job altogether," says Megan Sheerin, Melcrum's Writing and Editing trainer in Australia, in a recent article on the Internal Comms Hub.

If you're keen to better yourself and your business, follow Sheerin's five pointers for producing writing that works in times of change:

1. Beware of business buzz words
Now more than ever, employees crave to understand what you really mean. Lose the "strategizing", "socializing" and "deep-diving" and stick to simple, down-to-earth and straightforward language. Your readers will reward you by reading on.

2. Stay positive, honest and open
Tone is particularly important in the current business climate, so keep your communications as optimistic as possible, but don't ever "spin" your message. Employees need both honesty and compassion. The way you write will shape the way they'll respond.

3. Keep it tight and targeted
People today are busier than ever. They have less time for long, poorly constructed communications that wander around the point, or miss it altogether. Know why you're writing - is it to inform, inspire or recognize employees? Then get in and out quickly, using as few words as possible to communicate meaning. This will give your copy more impact.

4. Write only when appropriate
Print should never be used to share sensitive decisions such as restructuring or redundancies. These are best communicated face-to-face by a leader your employees respect and trust. Consider written information a supporting tool only in such situations and use it to explain complex ideas and material in more detail.

5. Make it an experience
Employees are bombarded with information from all angles, every day. To get their attention - and respect - write from their viewpoint (not the company's), emphasize benefits over features and most of all, use words to create an engaging experience for them, rather than a mere message.

Until next time,

P.S. One of Melcrum's new professional development courses, Engaging business writing, is being held in London on May 20th. Book your place today to make sure your writing is having the biggest possible impact among employees.

Latest News

Downturn drives internal comms James Bennett, the Internal Comms Hub, April 22, 2009 Why British businesses are increasingly calling on interim IC change professionals. Read more...

Four steps to a powerful communication strategy Chris Gay, Melcrum Online, April 23, 2009 If the communication function is to survive the recession it needs to have a resistent and efficient strategy that's perfectly aligned with overall business objectives. In her latest article for Melcrum, Chris Gay outlines four crucial steps to getting this strategy right. Read more...

Maccy D's fries up some tasty online nuggets James Bennett, The Melcrum Blog, April 20, 2009 Non-depression, anti-recession fodder has sold at a quarter of the price of the healthy stuff, but the golden arches has done more than simply repackage and chuck in the odd carrot stick. How else has McDonald's improved its internal and external reputation? Read more...