Write Your Way Up: The Best Principles For Business Writing

In the fast-paced business world, everyone tries to stay ahead with their writings, whether with blogs, social media posts, or newsletters. We are bombarded with hundreds of texts every day. Do we read them all? Of course not. But we read some, right? We choose the ones that are interesting and effective for us to read.

So, what makes a reader stop and read what you’ve written instead of the other texts around the same topic?

It’s profound to understand that one skill that is supreme in the business world is effective writing. Powerful and effective writing does not happen by chance; it results from clear thinking and strategic execution. 

Today, we will dive into the lines of exceptional business writing and explore principles suggested by Sahil Bloom, a successful entrepreneur, that will make your audience read and help you skyrocket your career.

Principle 1: Draft Fast, Edit Slow

Seeing that blank page with the cursor blinking menacingly can be intimidating, especially if you want to create something perfect. The key to overcoming this is just to start writing without thinking of any rules, any boundaries. Get your thoughts and ideas down on your draft. Then, follow the “write-rest-review” framework:

1. Get the first draft down as quickly as possible.
2. Take a break for five minutes and clear your mind.
3. Return and review your work.
4. Identify what is missing and edit accordingly.

Principle 2: Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)

Now, I am not trying to offend anyone, but many assume that lengthy and complex writing will impact and impress. But it does not. Excellent business writing is anything but verbose. It is straightforward, direct, and tactical.  Here are some actionable tips to tighten and simplify your writing:

1. Cut the Fluff: While creative writing may encourage excessive descriptors, business world writing demands precision. Edit your draft to eliminate unnecessary words and sentences, including phrases like “I think,” adverbs like “very,” acronyms, jargon, and unnecessarily complex vocabulary.
2. Shorten Everything: Powerful business writing shares similarities with compelling Twitter posts: brevity is critical. Utilize concise sentence structures and consider spacing out sentences or paragraphs to make your writing more visually appealing.
3. Add Data: As Jeff Bezos instilled in Amazon’s writing culture, replace fluff words with data. Data strengthens your message and makes it more impactful and reliable.

Principle 3: Clear Target Reaction

Great business writing always has a clear target reaction or purpose. This intended reaction should be immediately evident to the reader.

Before sharing any piece of business writing, ask, “So what?” What reaction, value, or takeaway should your audience have? Ensure that this intention comes across vividly. If not, revisit your content and make sure your message is loud and clear.

Principle 4: Storytelling

Storytelling is a foundational skill, but it’s often overlooked. The most successful CEOs and founders are also exceptional storytellers. Having storytelling elements in your writing will work wonders because humans are inherently drawn to narratives. 

Consider these techniques:

1. Add a mini anecdote to illustrate a point. But keep it short, to not violate KISS.
2. Incorporate a folksy one-liner to catch the reader’s attention.
3. Use storytelling to bring life to dry topics, making your message far more compelling.

In conclusion, don’t overlook the power of effective business writing. It’s what separates the best from the rest. Embrace the four key principles – Draft Fast, Edit Slow, KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid), Clear Target Reaction, and Storytelling – to unlock the potential of your writing. 

Consider this not just a conclusion to a blog but a call to action. Start applying these principles today and watch as your business writing transforms. Your transformation begins with your next sentence!