What is Written Communication?
Any written text you use to conduct your business. Your emails, policies, the employee’s manual, mission, vision, your Facebook or Twitter accounts…, etc.
Effective Written Communication to Generates Profit
The language of your written communication should generate more profit for you.
Get Your Message Across
You need to know what your message is;
- Inspire your employees to be more productive.
- Persuade a client to sign a contract or a retainer.
Communicate for Profit
Your written communication should win you a customer, a contract, publicity.
Use Verb Actionable Verbs
Your written communication should inspire the recipient to take action. Learn more about actionable verbs and check out a case study on using them to write resumes.
- Use actionable verbs to convey your message.
- Actionable verbs lead to a specific outcome.
Avoid Vague Messages
A manager sent this email to his team, “ I encourage you to come prepared and successfully deliver the workshop,” doesn’t specify what you want your employees or colleagues to do.
The Cost of Ineffective Communication
The team felt confused after receiving the email. Each one of them “did something” to prepare for the workshop. During the workshop, the team’s performance was not in sync. At the end of the workshop, the company did not receive any new enrollments for the workshop. In the end, the workshop was discontinued.
Successful Delivery
Another manager wrote the same message to read, “Please, take one hour of your time to study your assigned part of the workshop and learn the steps required to deliver it, rehearse your part with your partner, and let me know if you have any questions. I am sure we will deliver a successful workshop.”
The Outcome
- The team delivered a successful workshop that met its objectives.
- Clients signed up for the next workshop and paid the fees.
- The company received more referrals to attend the workshop.
- The message generated profit for the company.
Additional Tips
- When the manager in the successful message offered to answer questions, the message was more effective, because it was inclusive.
Takeaways
- Use actionable verbs to convey your message.
- Don’t assume that your colleagues know what to do.