Write more effectively

Tom Abbott, Partner – Strategy, asks does it matter if people in your teams can write well, and how can they write more effectively?

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration into intranets and office tools, do managers need to worry about learning to write more effectively? With more and more video used internally, is there still a place for a strategy article from a member of the executive team?

Despite the range of modern channels available for communications, writing is at the heart of the process. Even in a dynamic world, well-crafted, old school text remains incredibly important.

And whether it’s an email, intranet article, social post, script for a video or podcast, or a blog, there are techniques people can learn to help them write more effectively.

AI can be a useful tool for getting started and for gathering ideas, but we need to be able to write in our own authentic style, guided by the needs of our organisation’s accepted tone of voice.

We all write – but it isn’t easy…

Let’s face it, writing is hard. I’m at my keyboard writing this piece feeling quite intimidated. I could happily stand in front of a group of people and speak to them about the value of the written word and the importance of authentic copy. But that time staring at a blank screen can feel terrifying.

I have years of experience in communications, and I still find it a challenge.

So how does your newly promoted manager feel when they’re faced with putting together a team update or writing a brief for an important stakeholder?

Too often, the ability to write well is taken for granted and people are left to muddle through.

But you don’t have to leave colleagues in this position. Writing is a teachable skill that improves with practice. Understanding the process and learning a few simple techniques can go some of the way towards reducing that feeling of dread when you first open a Word document.

Anyone can write

Writing is not the preserve of tortured authors. It’s something we can all practice, and the more we do it, the better we get.

No one’s first attempt will be perfect – it might even be rubbish – but if we don’t write it, we don’t get to the good stuff. It doesn’t really matter, as no one will see that first draft.

The fear of the blank page is removed when you appreciate that writing is a process. Write something, tear it apart, put it back together, and move towards something you’ll be proud of.

We’ve worked with lots of clients to deliver writing workshops. During these sessions, people learn about the writing process, understand the importance of tone of voice, and take time to explore their own style in a safe space. We create opportunities to get it wrong, then get it right and practice.

Beginning is hard, ending is harder

Something else we can help colleagues with is editing – taking that text you agonised over, being honest with yourself, and cutting the superfluous.

Encouraging colleagues to be brutal with the red pen is an important step towards effective communication. Keeping the message clear and your calls to action obvious makes a huge difference.

And great editing can help bring everything together with a neat conclusion that gives the reader a clear sense of what they need to do next, such as finding out about how we can support clients with writing workshops or reading our top tips for effective writing.

If you would like support with developing writing skills in your business, why not get in touch?