How to Write a Business Memo

Written by Linda Elizabeth Alexander


How to Write a Business Memo ©2002 By Linda Elizabeth Alexander

A business memo helps members of an organization communicate withoutrepparttar need for time-consuming meetings. It is an efficient and effective way to convey information within an organization.

Use memos rather than letters when you are communicating within your organization, including members of your department, upper management, employees at another company location, etc.

Memos solve problems either by introducing new information torepparttar 108172 reader like policy changes or new products being introduced, or by persuadingrepparttar 108173 reader to take an action, such as attend a meeting, rinserepparttar 108174 coffeepot when empty, or change a current work procedure.

The writing style of a business memo is somewhat formal but it doesn't have to sound intimidating. Your aim in writing a memo isrepparttar 108175 same as with other correspondence: You want to effectively communicate your purpose to your reader.

Memos are most effective when they connectrepparttar 108176 purpose of repparttar 108177 writer withrepparttar 108178 interests and needs ofrepparttar 108179 reader. When planning your memo, be sure to think about it from your reader's perspective: Pretend you arerepparttar 108180 recipient and ask yourself:

1. How is this relevant to me? 2. What, specifically, do you want me to do? 3. What's in it for me?

Heading Segment Beginrepparttar 108181 memo with a heading segment, following this format: (centered and bold heading) MEMORANDUM TO: (readers' names and job titles) FROM: (your name and job title) DATE: SUBJECT: (specifically whatrepparttar 108182 memo is about)

Make sure you addressrepparttar 108183 reader by her or his correct name and job title. Courtesy titles are not necessary but make sure you spell everyone's names properly and don't use informal nicknames.

Use a job title after your name, and hand write your initials by your name. This confirms that you take responsibility forrepparttar 108184 contents ofrepparttar 108185 memo.

Be specific and concise in your subject line. For example, "computers" could mean anything from a new purchase of computers to a mandatory software class for employees. Instead use something like, "Turning Computers off at Night." This also makes filing and retrievingrepparttar 108186 memo easy.

Opening Segment

Begin your memo by statingrepparttar 108187 problem--that is, what led torepparttar 108188 need forrepparttar 108189 memo. Perhaps a shipment has not arrived, a scheduled meeting has been canceled, or a new employee is starting tomorrow.

Pumping Up The Emotional Side Of Gizmos, Widgets And Powdered Eggs.

Written by Walter Burek


You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long asrepparttar byline atrepparttar 108171 end of this article is included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Pumping Up The Emotional Side Of Gizmos, Widgets And Powdered Eggs.

Conventional wisdom has it that business-to-business advertising must be jam-packed with facts. But today,repparttar 108172 facts are not enough.

All advertising copy consists of two elements: What is said and how it's said. What is said isrepparttar 108173 rational part ofrepparttar 108174 message --repparttar 108175 claims and benefits that result from careful positioning and strategy. How it's said isrepparttar 108176 emotional element --repparttar 108177 look ofrepparttar 108178 advertising, andrepparttar 108179 charm, humor, nostalgia, empathy, sense of security, beauty, or sense of style and quality that is conveyed.

Knowing when and how to use emotion isrepparttar 108180 most important part of a copywriter's and art director's job. Because, whether we like to admit it or not, most purchase decisions -- greeting card or giant machinery, new car or new factory roof -- are made for emotional, not rational, reasons.

A Couple Of Definitions. We've been told that emotion is probably best defined byrepparttar 108181 observation that emotions are feelings. How important is that? Very. Because feelings are everything in people's lives. They dictate where we live, who we live with, who our friends are, what we read, what we eat, what we drive, where we go on vacation, what we laugh at, what we cry about and what we want out of life. And they tell us what to buy, when to buy, where to buy, and who to buy from.

We've also been told that a definition of communication isrepparttar 108182 interchange of ideas between two people. But, in advertising, we have to go beyond that. Our business must berepparttar 108183 interchange of feelings between two people. We have to make people really feel something aboutrepparttar 108184 products and companies we advertise. Otherwise, they won't buy. And if they don't buy, we've failed. So,repparttar 108185 simple truth ofrepparttar 108186 matter is: The only advertising that works is advertising that makes somebody feel something. Four Thoughts, No Rules. Explaining how to use emotion in advertising is difficult, if not impossible. It all depends onrepparttar 108187 situation andrepparttar 108188 abilities ofrepparttar 108189 people involved. But here are some things that may help putrepparttar 108190 subject in perspective.

Businessmen And-Women Are People, Too. Some will argue, especially in today's downsized work environment, thatrepparttar 108191 businessperson is besieged, harried and overworked. And all they have time for isrepparttar 108192 facts. True, perhaps. But it is also true that they are being constantly being bombarded with information at every turn. Which means that if your advertising is going to be successful -- if it is going to stand out fromrepparttar 108193 clutter -- you better deliver it in an emotional envelope. Whether you're a man or woman, working man or working woman, prudent veteran, or a kid just out of school isn't important. Emotional advertising has a universal kind of communication that works. Warmth, humor, charm, flair -- these are things we all relate to, respond to. Emotional advertising transcendsrepparttar 108194 demographic position ofrepparttar 108195 reader or viewer. People in all walks of life respond to wit, to being talked to in a flattering and friendly way, to being liked. People like advertising that makes them feel good -- about your product, about your company, about themselves.

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