If you think about Twitter, you probably don’t automatically connect it with business writing.
When today’s guest blogger, Lauren Bailey, approached me with the topic idea, I was intrigued. I think you will be, too.
Please welcome Lauren with some comment love.
Business Writing Tips Taught by Twitter
by Lauren Bailey================
The effects of social media have been under constant debate in modern society.
With billions of users and billions of dollars, social media hubs like Facebook and Twitter receive a lot of praise and even more criticism.
While social media has numerous short fallings, including endless distraction and egotistic self promotion, it also has the potential to improve certain aspects of our lives.
Encouraging writing and constructed argument, social media, when used to its full potential, exercises our writing abilities and capacity for critical thought.
There are several lessons technical writing professionals can learn from the tweeting bluebird that is Twitter.
1. Write Less
As with any writing, but especially business writing, being clear and concise is crucial.
In this way, Twitter has the right idea.
With limited space and the need to hold your reader’s attention, Twitter forces a writer to compose clear, concise, and interesting points.
Writing business memorandums or emails more like a Tweet benefits both you and your reader.
I can already hear the scoffs.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to suggest that you write an email as if it is a Tweet, but rather mimicking the writing style and formula of Twitter.
- Keep things short and to the point
- Hold your audience’s attention
- State your purpose
2. Avoid Business Jargon
There is nothing worse than reading a business document chock full of obnoxious business talk and terms.
Replace jargon with language that is clearer (and less annoying).
Twitter encourages writing that is similar to how we speak and think. While business and technical writing must remain professional, it does not have to be swarming with unnecessary and verbose language.
Clear and concise language sounds natural and intuitive.
Do not obscure your message with difficult language just to appear more knowledgeable on a subject.
3. Use Templates
A great way to become more productive and efficient with business writing is by using successful templates and formulas. If you write a particularly good letter, memo, or other document, consider using it as a template.
Twitter uses the same formula each time and it’s successful.
- When composing a Tweet you stick to 140 characters
- You write along the same format each time
- You get your point across quickly
Business writing templates increase productivity and perfect your writing.
- Save documents for similar business writing needs
- Templates help minimize mistakes or typos
Just be sure to change all of the appropriate names, dates, etc.
While not everything that Twitter has taught us is useful, some of the fundamental aspects of writing a Tweet translate well to business writing.
Before you dismiss the social media revolution as a trite and banal waste of time, take a look at the lessons you can gain from it for your own business writing.
This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for top online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99 @gmail.com.
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