5 Ways To Write For Results At Work

You write for a response and to move the needle at work. Here's how to make that happen.

You’ve racked your brain, used the thesaurus, hit backspace, backspace, backspace and retyped until you’ve written that perfect email. Go ahead, hit that send button. Then wait for it, wait for it, wait for it. 

Responses are coming. Aren’t they? 

All the time you put into that perfect piece. And you got bupkis. Let’s chat about how to get your written words read and responded to next time. 

Try not to talk about yourself

Think about writing in the same context as conversation. That friend you dread lunch with, does he talk non-stop about himself? Do you know before you put your car in park that you’re walking into a dissertation of their life since you were last together? It works the same through written word. Involve your reader – after all, you’re looking for something in return from the communication. Right? 

Instead of this: I’m going to be out of the office next week. I’d like to know what you need so I’m not behind when I return. 

Try it like this: You mentioned an upcoming project. Can we talk through that timeline and how you’d like to prioritize? 

Dive right in 

• I’d like to tell you about an upcoming event.
  

• I’m writing to share some good news.
  

• I wanted to thank you for your recent work.
  

Ummmm, okay. Get to it then.  

You’ll likely get further if you dive in. Head first.

• Please save the date for the annual cupcake and wine pairing.
  

• We’re all getting raises!
  

• Thank you for shearing the sheep.
  

Humanize

For some reason, we think formal written words make us smart. Holster those thoughts. What it makes us is someone other folks can’t relate to. Today, phrases like as such or words like therefore aren’t typically spoken. So, rephrase to make your piece seem more conversational. 

You can also get that conversation-over-coffee vibe by using smaller or everyday words. Describing something as beautiful? Use pretty or lovely and maybe skip resplendent (although it is fun to say). 

Get efficient

Say it in as few words as possible. Adjectives and adverbs are often unnecessary to convey meaning. 

Read it out loud

Sometimes your mouth moves and what comes out isn’t exactly what you meant to say. Typos can cause a similar red-cheek reaction. Next time your fingers are flying across the keyboard, before sharing your work with anyone else, walk away for a minute, for a night if possible. 

When you return to edit, read it out loud. You’ll find you’re forced to read what is actually on the page rather than what is in your head. You meant public, not pubic, right? 

Summary 

Your audience is more likely to hear you when you strip down written communication and make it about them. The next time you require a response to an email, or create a document that requires feedback, take a break from it, review it and remove the parts that won’t change your meaning. What will that get you? Most likely, more productive written communication. Good luck!

Your first impression or is often what you or your business put in writing. From internal messaging to marketing copywriting, we're happy to help. Check out our content marketing services for your next project.