Resources - Newsletter Tips Archive

Make Your Message Stand Out

In this age of instant access, messages compete for our attention like never before. Miscellaneous information flies toward us at the speed of light—via the Internet and television and morning-commute billboards, along with all the other collateral and business-related communications that greet us throughout the day. So what does the brain choose to retain? The information that makes the most impact, that's what. And if you happen to be the writer of said communications, good luck. These days it's tougher to stand out than ever before!

But it is possible.

Here are three key rules of the writing road. These useful tips are easy to incorporate if you're not doing so already:

  1. Write first, finesse later. Your message doesn't need to be perfect. Well, eventually it does, but not while you're in the midst of creating. Get your basic thoughts onto the page, then tweak word choice and sentence order afterward. Your anxiety factor will thank you.
  2. Speak from the heart. Whether your topic is tax preparation or the true meaning of life, the only way your audience will feel engaged is if you do. Let your passion fill the page. Otherwise, readers will quickly move on.
  3. Talk to your audience. Better yet, talk to one specific person in your audience. By involving one reader in a personal conversation, you, in effect, reach everyone.

Whether you're writing for business, for pleasure, or simply sending mass emails, consider these tips to make your writing have more impact. Just as in the revision process of writing, the result of a few tweaks to your craft may pleasantly surprise you.

For more tips on writing, stay tuned. We'll have additional suggestions posted to NewsWorks in the future.