back7 things journalists can teach business writers

At the recent 25-year reunion of my journalism class, a lot of the discussion revolved around the basic news writing principles that were drummed into us ‘back in the day’. Although few of us still tap away in newsrooms, we all agreed that those principles still inform what we do in our other various roles – every day. That’s because they are the fundamentals of good writing – whatever form it takes.

So here’s seven things I reckon good journalists (yes, there are still plenty around) can teach business writers.

1. Know who you are writing for. Focusing on who you are writing for, and giving them what they want, how they want it, is the bottom line of all good writing.
2. Know your ‘hook’. What’s important, special, new or different that the reader needs to know? What will make them care?
3. Treat your subject lines or titles like headlines. Like a newspaper headline, subject lines of emails and titles of documents need to be interesting, relevant, inviting, and say what it’s about.
4. Have a pithy, pertinent introduction. The first lines need to pull the reader in and make them want to read on. They need to know what it’s all about, and what’s in it for them.
5. Use short sentences and plain words. Even the most complex information can be delivered in words and sentences that the reader can easily and quickly read.
6. Cut to the chase. People are busy and inundated with stuff to read. Tight, disciplined writing without fluff and waffle is much more likely to be read.
7. Understand reader behaviour. Readers skim and scan. Writing needs to be well laid out, interesting and immediately show why it’s relevant.