Win Over Readers by Meeting Their Needs

by Holly Weeks

Business readers are content driven, time pressed, and in search of solutions. What does that mean to you as a writer? First, stop trying to impress people with words. In business, good language isn’t fancy; it’s useful. It simply conveys information and ideas without calling attention to itself. Second, highlight key points at the top of your document–and organize and present the body text logically. Otherwise, your audience won’t be able to follow your train of thought. If you’re confusing people, you’re not persuading them.

The Starting Point

Business readers will judge from your introduction whether the rest of your message or report is worth their time. So begin by making it clear why ...

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