Good business writing connects you to your reader.

• An email informs
• A blog post educates
• A video entertains

Whether the purpose of your business writing is to inform, educate or entertain, your reader defines your success.

If there is a disconnect between your business writing and your reader, fix the problem with a little stroll.

Adopt the Walk in my Shoes business writing method.

Inform

Do you know someone who loves shoes? Have you been roped into a shopping expedition?

Before the cash register sings a selling tune, the shoe lover has questions.

• How much do they cost? (optional for some shoe lovers)
• Do you have them in my size?
• Do they look good on?

When writing, remember that shoe lover.

What questions would your reader have. Still not sure? The following is an example.

Let’s say your boss asks you to send an email about a meeting. Walk in the shoes of the email recipients. What would they want to know?

• What is the meeting about?
• When is it? Where is it?
• Do I need to prepare anything?
• What if I can’t make it?

Simple, right? Craft your message so you answer each question.

Educate and Entertain

Think back to your school days.

• Did you have a favorite teacher?
• One you credit for your expertise in a specific area?

Chances are, your teacher made learning fun. That teacher knew how to educate and entertain.

Put on your childhood shoes when you want your business writing to educate and entertain.

• Illustrate complex ideas
• Use images to engage the reader
• Share a story for simplicity

Your shoes may be a tight fit at first. But, the more you wear them, the more comfortable they become.

If your school experience was less than stellar, choose a favorite author. Imagine how he or she would educate the reader.

Can you picture an education piece by J.K. Rowling or Stephen King?

Not so dry and boring now, is it?

Perfect Fit

Sometimes we overcomplicate our business writing. Or worse. We don’t think about our writing at all.

Put on the shoes of your reader and walk around a bit.

You’ll know when you have the perfect fit.

• Your business writing puts a smile on your reader’s face
• Instead of a painful grimace

Have you walked in your readers’ shoes? Were they a perfect fit?

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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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