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"A writer who finds everything interesting
makes almost everything boring." - Jack Miles
We all know that clear communication is at the heart
of successful relationships, and for the most of us, writing is one communication skill where we need the most help. If you want your prospects to read your next letter, follow these tips:
Define what
action or reaction you want from your reader before you start. When you write, keep the objective of the message foremost in your mind. The closer you stay to the purpose of the message, the better the piece is
likely to be.
Write one-on-one. Write to the person you expect to act on your message.
Use headlines. Grab attention that get the reader into the body of the message with powerful
headlines.
Get to their emotions. Write about how you reader can save, gain or accomplish something because of your product, service, and/or business opportunity. If you can't write about what
they'll save, gain, or accomplish, tell them how they'll avoid risk, worry, loss, mistakes, or embarrassment.
Write in the present tense. "I suggest," instead of: "I would like to suggest."
"It's his suggestion," instead of: "He suggested."
Keep words focused on the reader. Use three times as many "you, your" words as you do "I, me" words.
Use subheads
. Subheads break up the copy and draw attention to benefits.
Bullet items. This makes reading more appealing and separates points.
Keep it short and simple. Readers have
limited time. Make reading easy and enjoyable. Use simple words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
Use long copy
when you have fascinating information. Otherwise, you will lose the reader.
Use understatement before overstatement.
Don't try to appear better than you really are. Promise big but be sure to deliver bigger.
Avoid clichés (like the plague). They're boring to read and reflect you lack of creativity.
Mistakes lessen the impact of your words. Writing flaws like incorrect grammar and punctuation, poor word usage, and typographical errors take attention AWAY from your message.
Write for the reader.
Sixty-four percent of the American population reads only three-quarters of the way across a page. For maximum readability sentences should average 14 to 18 words, and paragraphs should average three
sentences each.
Read your piece out loud. Listen to how it sounds. It reads smoothly – or it doesn't.
Success plan: The best way to improve you writing is to read (that
includes reading about writing) and to write. Read about writing for 15 minutes a day. Write a letter a day. Read your letter out load. And get a (smart) friend to evaluate you work.
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