The website's sister-site is Lists of Note, which aims to do the same thing with lists written and sent (or not) by well-known people, or on well-known themes. It was here that I came across this fantastic memo written by advertising guru David Ogilvy to all employees of his advertising agency, reminding them that writing is a skill, and should be treated as such.
The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well.
Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches.
Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are 10 hints:
1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing*. Read it three times.
2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.
3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification,attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.
5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.
6. Check your quotations.
7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning—and then edit it.
8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.
9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.
10. If you want ACTION, don't write. Go and tell the guy what you want.
Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches.
Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are 10 hints:
1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing*. Read it three times.
2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.
3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification,attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.
5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.
6. Check your quotations.
7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning—and then edit it.
8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.
9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.
10. If you want ACTION, don't write. Go and tell the guy what you want.
*Writing That Works, by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson
I can quite easily count how many times I've given the same -or similar- advice to people looking to write more effectively in business; every time I am asked!
Of course, there is nothing in the list above, or in George Orwell's famous Rules for Effective Writing, which in itself requires study. However, it is definitely worth putting in front of you beside your monitor for daily reflection.
As I have said before, I have yet to receive a complaint regarding my own work, or the work of my colleagues, that it was too easy to understand! It is very difficult to suggest that you are not happy with someone's communication because you know exactly what he means!
Making things short, simple, and well-structured means that you are sure you're getting your idea across. And if you're getting your idea across, there's a bigger chance that people will agree with you.
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