What’s taught in the first grade of school, but busy professionals still get wrong? Writing. When done poorly it steals productivity, credibility and customers from your business. Find out how to stop the theft.
Writing is an elementary communication skill. It’s part of every professional’s day. But just because something is basic, doesn’t mean it’s always well-executed.
According to research*, large U.S. companies spend $3.1 billion on writing training for their employees. Many professionals lack this essential communication skill, and their employers are concerned. Why?
Well, beyond additional training costs, there are far more severe consequences. Poor writing can impact productivity, leadership effectiveness and, worse, your credibility. Simply put, bad writing can eat away at your most valuable resources and assets.
Here are five ways poor writing is stealing from your business:
It steals productivity
Good writing is brief, clear and direct. All essential elements in conveying instructions. These directions drive the processes that move your business forward.
When messages hide behind lousy grammar, long sentences and jargon, it hinders work. Instead of delivering results, your people are busy trying to decipher what the latest communication is all about.
It steals time
One report** estimates that professionals spend more than 25 hours per week reading. That’s a lot of time. However, 81 per cent believe reading poorly-written material is a time-waster.
Just think, if you eliminate poor writing, would your workers need all that time reading? Imagine what they could achieve in its place.
It steals leadership effectiveness
We judge leaders on their ability to inspire. So, don’t overlook good writing. Passively written messages don't motivate teams. Whereas, well-written pieces stir people into action because they know precisely how and why they need to do what they do.
It steals customers
In today’s ultra-competitive marketplace, readers switch off quickly. You can’t afford to be ignored. Relevant, attention-grabbing pieces speak volumes about your brand and company. So, don’t gamble with customer attention by putting out poorly written communications.
It steals credibility
Good brands earn trust. Lousy writing gives the impression you’re hiding something. Or worse, pieces littered with errors make you appear incompetent. By writing well, you’ll show respect for your reader’s time and intelligence—thus, earning their confidence and attention.
Don’t underestimate the effects of bad writing. Losing productivity, effectiveness and customers are serious problems. Stop the theft by writing well.
About Victoria Hall
Victoria Hall is a creative communication expert who believes that great communication has the power to change the world. She's passionate about helping organisations to lift their profiles, inspire action and achieve remarkable results by crafting and delivering their stories and messages in a clear, compelling and persuasive way. If you've got a question about how to produce high-quality communication plans or content, you can contact Victoria here or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Sources:
*Inc.com
**Harvard Business Review