4. Don’t Hold Back If you’re writing something, whatever it is, you obviously have a reason for doing it. Maybe you want to inform your employees of a new policy, or maybe you want to share benefits of your latest product with prospective clients. Regardless of reason, you must make it clear to your readers. Otherwise, they won’t read past your first sentence. Be direct, use strong verbs, and make powerful points. If you’re trying to sell your services, tell your readers how you’re different from competition. Or if you need support for an upcoming project, tell your readers how they can help. Don’t make them figure out what you want. Tell your readers why they need to read your piece, what’s in it for them, and what action you want them to take.

5. Take a Break Depending on your project, and your propensity to procrastinate, try to give yourself a break from every piece you write. For example, try writing your rough draft in morning, and then reread and revise after lunch. For shorter pieces, best time to take a break is after your first draft is completed. When you’re writing longer pieces, like books or business plans, break after completing a section or chapter. You certainly don’t want to stop mid-sentence, or even mid-paragraph because you may forget where you were headed. Taking some time off from every project will allow you to return to it with new perspective and increased objectivity. You’ll see your own errors, gaps in your information, and organizational challenges more readily when you’ve taken some time away. Even if you’re on a deadline and can only spare ten minutes, go take a walk or do something else. Your writing will be better for it.

Better Writing in Future Even if you love writing, you can’t deny it takes work. But you can make major improvements to your written work without serious effort. Start by organizing your message into a simple, logical format. Then stop stressing over every word, and write freely and quickly through your first draft. Eliminate wordy phrases to keep your message concise, and tell your readers exactly what you want them to gain from every piece you write. Finally, take a break from your work so you can come back to it with a fresh, objective perspective. Improving your business writing doesn’t have to be difficult. When you use these five easy methods for better writing, your work will be more effective and you’ll see big results from little effort.

The link appeared safe, but you were taken to a site designed to defraud you. Reputable companies will rarely ask for personal information via email so examine every incoming email for validity.

Third, when purchasing from an online business, ensure information is encrypted upon hitting submit. Encryption, in short, ensures private information you submit online is kept safe. When at your browser, you can recognize an encrypted form when root URL starts with “https:” instead of “http:” or seeing padlock present in bottom right corner of your screen. Purchasing from companies having added security measures in place can ensure your private information avoids hands of ill-willed people.

Fourth, read and understand privacy policy of sites you patron. The Better Business Bureau possesses a strict policy for members who do business online. A privacy statement must be displayed on company’s website, no exceptions. High business practices are a necessity for maintaining trust of online buyers; and BBB understands critical importance of trust among consumers.

A privacy statement outlines what type of customer information is collected and how it’s used. Alliances and partnerships, for example, arrange for Company A to sell or pass on client information to Company B. The information transferred or sold could be basic, like name and email address, or far more in-depth like name, address, social security number, and phone number. No matter how basic or detailed information, company must have logistics spelled out in their privacy policy.

Last, studies have shown that an estimated 80% of online fraud goes unreported. Go “against grain” and fall into minority of 20%. If proper authorities aren’t aware of magnitude of fraud that actually exists on Internet, then getting much-needed funds to battle problem will take more time. The Internet Fraud Complaint Center (ifccfbi.gov) has an online complaint feature for individuals to report phishing attacks. The IFCC report process requires basic information, including information on perpetrator and type of fraud.

In addition to filing a complaint, forward fraudulent email to legitimate company. Phishing is smearing good names of countless companies, and notifying company about scam can also help fight. Companies brought onboard will ensure well-rounded efforts to this epidemic.

Avoid giving your information out freely. Whether you’re at end of a phishing attack or job application requires more information than you’re willing to provide, proceed with caution. Much like you’ll analyze job opportunities; intensely examine each person who receives your personal information. With safe online practices, you’ll get best return from your job-search efforts — instead of spending hours filing a police report and calling credit bureaus and credit card companies.

Teena Rose is a certified and published resume writer and author of "20-Minute Cover Letter Fixer" and "Cracking the Code to Pharmaceutical Sales."