Apr
13
2017
Three golden rules to successful writing
Good writing isn’t just a nice skill to have, it is one that can be a huge asset to your organisation. Effective writing puts the power in your hands; giving you the chance to convey your ideas, capture attention, and influence people positively. It also supports your professional image, and reinforces the readers’ trust in your organisation.
Our one-day Write for success course is great for anyone looking to refresh their writing skills and give their copy a boost. A range of taught tools and techniques will provide you with everything you need to make an impact with your writing.
One of the best ways to improve your writing is to focus on the three golden rules. These simple instructions will encourage eyes to stay on the page - and pay attention whilst they’re there!
Know your aims
It may sound obvious, but most people put pen to paper without properly thinking about why they’re writing. If you’re not clear on the purpose of your text, your reader certainly won’t be either.
So, what do you want to achieve? Maybe you’re creating a persuasive proposal for funding, or perhaps you’re producing an inspiring newsletter to help motivate staff. Whatever you’re writing, think about the purpose before you get keyboard-happy.
Know your reader(s)
You aren’t writing for yourself, you’re writing for your readers. Once you understand the purpose of your copy, think about what the readers will want to know as well as what they need to know. Make sure everything is clear, concise, and doesn’t alienate your reader; as soon as they don’t understand something they’ll probably stop reading!
Whilst your text should be informative, you will also need to use engaging language. Listing your facts and figures may be crystal clear, but is that what someone would want to read? Capture their attention and you’re halfway to successful writing.
Keep it simple
There’s a fine line between engaging writing and over-the-top writing; elaborate language and complex sentences are on the wrong side of that line, and should be used with caution. Jargon and waffling also aren’t as engaging as you think, and they often add to the word count without adding to the quality. Simple sentence structures and shorter words are often the best combination.
Interested in learning more? For more information take a look at our Write for success course or browse our other writing courses.
