My husband loves to read. He’s one of those brave enough to work through a 1,000+ page novel like his current work of choice, Les Misérables. He’s also become a beloved fan of The Wall Street Journal, one of the newspapers our neighbor leaves for us when he has extras from his newspaper route. And I can’t fail to mention The New Yorker, a magazine subscription my husband also began recently, which includes research pieces, essays, and fictional content. On occasion, while enjoying this literature, he’ll read a section aloud for me so I can also take in its literary finesse.
What is it that makes writing so high in quality, so refined? Is it the particular words selected? The sentence structure? The flow of one thought to another? I have personally found that it’s a combination of many factors like these. Brevity, or conciseness, is also a significant component — that is, writing that gets to the heart of what you’re saying without too many words clouding the meaning. There’s a Dr. Seuss quote I like that gives a nod to this idea: “So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.”
What does this mean for you? Especially when it comes to business writing, a clear, concise message can be what resonates with your readers and encourages them to act, whether that action is to click to your website, comment on a post, or download a free resource. Good writing can also communicate your story and provide a way to form a connection with your audience, a personal relationship with you. Clients want to know who you are, so present yourself and your business in a confident, authentic light.
For a long time, writing has come fairly naturally to me, but I realize that’s not the case for everyone. Good, solid writing is not easy to generate. It requires practice and time. I would even venture to say that it’s an art. When done well, however, it’s hard to deny that good writing is powerful. Just look at some of the most well-known pieces of writing out there, as well as the most recognizable brands. They’re well-known for a reason.
While you may not be the next F. Scott Fitzgerald or Jane Austen, you can incorporate strong written skills throughout your business — on your website, in your client deliverables, through your social media platforms, etc. If you’re not feeling confident, or if you simply don’t feel you have the time to devote to the task, CK Collateral would love to help in whatever capacity you need.