The document provides 10 steps for effective business writing: 1) understand the demand for good writing, 2) know where you're taking readers, 3) be explicit, clear and concise, 4) grab readers' attention, 5) write with rhythm, 6) organize to help readers understand, 7) choose an appropriate tone, 8) put your best grammar on the page, 9) edit, rewrite and refine, and 10) master frequently used documents. It emphasizes being concise, knowing your audience, grabbing attention, choosing the right tone, using proper grammar, and thoroughly editing documents. A survey found professionals spend 40% of their day on email-related activities, with 1/3 considered wasted time, highlighting the importance

1. 10 STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS WRITING

2. WE RECOMMEND READING…

3. THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
…TO EFFECTIVE WRITING!
1. Understand the Demand for
Good Writing
2. Know Where You’re Taking Your
Readers
3. Be Explicit, Clear, and Concise
4. Grab Your Readers’ Attention
5. Write with Rhythm to Hold Your
Readers
6. Organize to Help Your Readers
Understand
7. Choose a Tone that Produces
Good Results
8. Put Your Best Grammar on the
Page
9. Edit, Rewrite and Refine
10. Master the Documents You Use
Most Often

4. WHY
is effective writing
important to us?
• A recent survey by Cohesive Knowledge Solutions revealed that
working professionals spend 40% of their day on activities related
to email – a 1/3 of which is considered wasted time.

5. WHY IS EFFECTIVE WRITING IMPORTANT?

6. KNOW WHERE YOU’RE TAKING YOUR READERS
Get to the point!
 Have a 60 sec conversation
Make an Outline

7. BE EXPLICIT, CLEAR, AND CONCISE
• Drop unnecessary words
• Target your audience

8. GRAB YOUR READERS’ ATTENTION
Did you know?
On a typical day, the
average worker is
exposed to 3,000+
marketing messages!
The problem-solution-next step
approach:
1. Problem: what is the problem you want to
address?
2. Solution: What do you recommend?
3. Next step: action items?

9. YOUR TURN!

10. CHOOSE AN APPROPRIATE TONE
Know your readers:
Readers who are open
be conversational
Readers who are indifferent
Be persuasive
Readers who are hostile
Find common ground

11. GRAMMAR IS IMPORTANT
• Use parallel structure

12. YOUR TURN!

13. EDIT, REWRITE AND REFINE
• Take breaks between drafts
• Read from your readers’ POV
The 3 Stage Editing Process:
1. Message
2. Organization
3. Mechanics
Ask yourself:
• Is the purpose or bottom line
clear?
• Is the action required clear?
• Are the major points clear?
• Is the tone appropriate?
• Is the message written in a
positive way?

14. YOUR THOUGHTS?