Better Silence Than Bad Writing

by | Feb 8, 2012

 

There are other calamities in business writing besides writer’s block.

  • You have the ideas
  • But, they are not coming together

That’s what happened with today’s post.

  • I wanted to create a tool for business writing
  • It was not happening

It has plenty of words (maybe that’s part of the problem), but it does not make me smile.

So I shelved it.

When should you walk away from your business writing?

#1 – You are not meeting your objective.

Each business communication needs an objective.

  • You want to educate your reader
  • You want to demonstrate thought leadership
  • You’re building brand awareness

My objective was building a simple tool for business writing. I wasn’t meeting that objective, so I put it aside.

Sometimes you need a break.

#2 – The timing is wrong.

Have you ever written a brilliant communication piece and then someone scoops you?

Recently, I was approached for a product review.

  • The product fit my audience
  • I planned the review
  • Then a colleague posted her review

I am a firm believer that each of us has our unique spin on topics.

The timing wasn’t right.

If this happens to you, consider the timing.

  • Do you add anything to the discussion?
  • Would publishing it later add value?

#3 – Your gut says it isn’t right.

No deadline is worth ignoring your gut.

If it is screaming – No – listen to it.

Consider the alternatives.

  • Do not publish it
  • Start over with a different topic
  • Ask for help or turn it over to someone else

We tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves about blog posts.

  • Why?
  • Will the blogosphere stop spinning if we don’t post today?

If your deadline is non-negotiable (e.g., an article for a trade publication), consider the other alternatives.

Think the worse case scenario – not publishing – and compare that to publishing bad writing.

Go with your gut.

Silence is Golden

Readers forgive missed publications.

They are not so generous with bad writing – bad writing lives forever.

Better silence than bad writing.

When do you pull the plug on your business writing?

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Helping you Keep it simple, clear & uniquely yours – contact me for help with your business writing needs.

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BigStock Photo Credit

10 Comments

  1. Wade Finnegan

    “bad writing lives forever” It really does in this day and age. Once you hit publish there is no going back. Of course, sometimes you need to take the “leap” and put it out there. I’m often my own worst critic and won’t move forward because I believe the piece isn’t good enough.

    Reply
  2. Cathy

    You are so right, Wade. We are often our own worse critics. That’s when a second pair of eyes can help us.

    Great point – thanks for sharing that, Wade.

    Reply
  3. Anne Wayman

    My gut is pretty accurate if I’m really listening to it. It sometimes tells me the piece is better than I think or at least plenty good enough.

    otoh, it’s amazing what a day off or a walk around the block, or even a long shower can do for my writing.

    Silence is lovely too.

    Reply
  4. Cathy

    All good options, Anne. 🙂 Thanks for sharing them.

    Reply
  5. Lori

    Oh, I definitely like the “listen to your gut” suggestion. Our instincts are usually fantastic, yet we tend to ignore them.

    Reply
  6. Cathy

    So true, Lori. I found myself pushing through it and trying to force it until my gut screamed, Enough already. When I thought about it, I thought, This is really dumb.

    Thanks for stopping by, Lori.

    Reply
  7. Greg

    Cathy, that reminds me of a saying in Zen – ‘Don’t speak unless you can improve on the silence.’ That’s a rule I try hard to stick to.

    Reply
  8. Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A.

    Great post, Cathy!
    This is why I have a slew of posts in my queue. They get the chance to be reviewed and allow my brain to ferment (or is that foment) the essences. And, I have eliminated a blog or two without ever publishing them.

    Reply
  9. Cathy

    I love that, Greg! Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
  10. Cathy

    Hi Roy: You are so prolific, I marvel at the quality of your posts. I think because I don’t typically struggle with writing, I thought I should plow through. Dumb.

    Thanks for your comments, Roy.

    Reply

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