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Effective business writing is not literature. It requires
application of common sense rules and easily learned techniques.
You start with basic business writing formula...attention, interest, action. Although I don't promote formula writing, every imcom MUST include these basic steps to succeed.
ATTENTION
Every working day, countless imcoms are distributed with openings that say nothing. It's as though writer is thinking, "Hey, I wrote this wonderful imcom so, of course, it will be read."
The reality is that an imcom has only two to three seconds to begin communicating. If it fails to grab a foothold on target's attention immediately, it is either trashed, put on a 'read whenever' pile or quickly scanned and instantly forgotten.
INTEREST
Business people often equate interest to length. "People just don't read long imcoms," I am told. No, truth is people don't read boring imcoms.
I have read two paragraph imcoms that were too long. I have also read multi-page imcoms that were just right. The difference was content.
Remember, you can never bore anyone into reading anything!
ACTION
The action desired might be a budget approval, acceptance of an idea or program, go-ahead on a project...whatever. However, too often, this action is never motivated or even asked for. The imcom simply shrivels up and dies at end. Sometimes imcom writer assumes a certain action will be taken. Or, writer is afraid of appearing too pushy. Actually reverse is true. A strong close suggests that writer is in control, decisive and self-confident.
DO YOUR IMCOMS SPEAK WELL OF YOU?
Do they present you as an organized, intelligent and knowledgeable business person or employee? If not, you can do something about it. Becoming a power writer is neither difficult nor time consuming. It primarily involves a commitment to begin. You'll be stepping out ahead of a lot of other people if you make that commitment today. Discovering ways to impress when you express can put you months, even years, ahead on your career path.
