Writing: Business Writing Skills I: What Do You Want To Say?

Business Writing Skills I: What Do You Want To Say?

Written by Linda Elizabeth Alexander

Many web entrepreneurs are unfamiliar with business writing. In truth, concise writing will build your business because you will better connect with customers and prospects. In this five-part series, repparttar

author will teach you how to make your web communications, and all business correspondence, clearer, understandable, and more direct.

Business Writing Skills I: What Do You Want to Say? By Linda Elizabeth Alexander

Whether you hate writing or love it, it always helps to plan what you want to say. One method that has always helped me is repparttar 129456 rhetorical square -- a mnemonic device designed to help you figure out what to say before you say it. I've seen other words used, but repparttar 129457 one I remember best is "P.A.W.S."

Paws stands for "purpose, audience, writer, subject." P.A.W.S. is most helpful when establishing repparttar 129458 goals of repparttar 129459 piece you are writing and can be as formal and lengthy or informal and brief as you like. Ask yourself these questions repparttar 129460 next time you sit down to write.

Purpose. What do you want to accomplish through your writing? Every composition has its purpose, even it it's just to finish an assignment. For example, you may write a letter to convey information, to sell something, or to say hi to an old friend. You might write a brochure to inform customers of a new product, explain your company's mission to them, or to serve as an advertisement for your services.

Audience. The most important thing you need to know in order to communicate clearly through writing is whom you are writing for. Who will read your writing? Your mother? Your client base? Your boss? Every audience has a different level of experience and education. For example, when writing a report to your boss, you may share company jargon that repparttar 129461 average Joe doesn't understand - because repparttar 129462 average Joe won't be reading repparttar 129463 report. Similarly, you will communicate differently to your employees and your customers.

"Ten Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Freelance Writer"

Written by Linda Elizabeth Alexander

Finding quality writers is not easy. As with hiring any employee or contractor, be sure to get repparttar

facts first.

1. What am I looking for?

Before you begin your search for a writer, make sure to outline your needs. Do you need a marketing writer that does brochures? A technical writer who knows Visual Basic?

2. How do you charge?

Many freelancers work on a per-project basis and require one-third to one-half of repparttar 129453 fee upfront. Others work on an hourly, per-day or per-week basis. Make sure you get repparttar 129454 details before you hire repparttar 129455 writer.

3. When will payment be due?

It is a good idea to check with repparttar 129456 writer about payment scheduling. Freelance writers are often sole proprietors and reluctant to extend credit to new clients. If your accounting department has a history of late payments, you will lose a talented writer quickly.

4. How will you communicate and deliver?

Be prepared for a virtual relationship with your writer. These days, more and more writers are working via email and instant messaging. In fact, you may not deal with repparttar 129457 writer face to face at all! Most writers also work by phone, fax and overnight mail.

Since it is not often profitable to meet in person, writers may not be willing to come to your office. However, they should be flexible enough to attend meetings if it is necessary for repparttar 129458 project. If you require it, be ready to be charged for repparttar 129459 writer's time.

5. What type of writing do you do?

Ask to see samples of repparttar 129460 writer's work. While most professional writers are talented, they may not have repparttar 129461 experience needed to complete repparttar 129462 project you need.

If you are confident in repparttar 129463 writer's abilities and are willing to give them a shot at your project anyway, be sure to get references. Past clients will be able to confirm that repparttar 129464 writer is professional, prompt, and courteous, keeping in close touch with repparttar 129465 client throughout repparttar 129466 project.

6. What is your turnaround time?

Let's face it, deadlines rule. If writers cannot meet your deadline or fit you in, they are probably too busy to handle your project with care. True, you may have to wait for a qualified writer who is in demand - and it will be worth it if you have a flexible deadline. But if you are on a time limit and repparttar 129467 writer cannot meet it, do not expect a miracle.

Cont'd on page 2 ==>