Do you find yourself writing a lot but getting little results?
To write effective business communication, there are 2 things that should be an overriding theme: 1) grab the reader’s attention and 2) layout your document, so visually, your reader wants to continue reading.
Grabbing the Reader’s Attention
To connect with the reader, do not open with something that is stuffy, formal or includes, “Please find the blah, blah, blah.” Talk to the reader. Write to them the way that you would talk.
Ask a question. Open with a quote or a joke or a reminder of a recent time together – something that connects you to them. What you are aiming for is the reader Read More...
As business becomes more complex, people have more distractions and less time to thoroughly read documents. Therefore, the ability to communicate effectively in writing, especially email and on the web, becomes more critical than ever.
Write with a clear purpose in mind, and state that purpose at the very beginning of your written communication. Readers should know at a glance what your email, report, or letter is about, why you are sending it, and what action you want them to take.
Here are 10 tips to help you write more effectively:
- Keep it simple.
You may think complex sentences make you sound impressive, but they can prevent your Read More...
Whenever you write a document, it is always good to let sit for a little while before you push the send or print button.
For a rule of thumb is, the longer you can wait between finishing writing and the editing, the better. It gives your mind time to digest and rest so when you come back to edit, you are looking at the document with fresh eyes.
Here are five easy to follow steps to help you in the editing process:
- Read the document through from top to bottom and just get an overall big picture. If it is fairly clear what the message you are trying to convey is? Does this concept pop out? A good check is to take another person read the document and as them to tell you in Read More...
I would like to explore how your results can be improved by correctly using positive and negative words in your written communication.
People tend to remember the first and last words you say. Therefore, the two most impactful sentences of your writing should have positive connotations, and those sentences are the ones you use to open and close.
This may be harder than you think if you are not conscious of what you are writing. ABC News recently reported that negative words dominate our language. In fact, “Half of all the words that people produce from their working vocabulary to express emotion are negative. And 30 percent are positive and 20 percent are neutral.”
When someone Read More...
When it comes to communication, the most powerful word is “you.” It doesn’t matter what language, the power of the word “you” is universal. When this word is used, you put the focus on the other person, not on yourself, and the results can be magical.
This is such a powerful concept that it can literally change your business for the better. In communicating your message most effectively, whether in advertising, in person or business writing, it is really about the other person or their needs, their interest, their desires. When people read or listen to a message and it has their name or “you” or “yours” in it, it automatically becomes about them and the benefits Read More...
Today I’m going to give you some very practical tips on how to actually deliver a presentation.
1. I strongly suggest that you commit your presentation to memory. This frees up your hands, your eyes, and your whole body to send out your message to your audience. I don’t mean this to be a shameless plug for our memory training workshop, but if you have taken the workshop, you know how easy memorizing a presentation can be if you just know how. It’s well worth the effort in terms of the increased credibility and communicative power.
2. I also suggest that you practice your presentation – a Read More...
How would your world change if you truly focused on listening instead of talking?
As a professional speaker and trainer, I was curious what would happen as I went through vocal chord surgery and was unable to speak AT ALL for one week or converse normally for a month. Yes, I realize the irony in MY not being able to speak, but the truth is-I loved it because there were so many great things to learn! Here are four of those lessons that are worthy to pass on to you!
1. 93% of Communication is Non-Verbal
Yes, Leah, we know this…you all taught us that at the Memory Read More...
We are starting a new tradition on the Freedom Personal Development Blog -Top 10 Tips Tuesdays! Every Tuesday we will give you the Top 10 Tips to become more effective in a particular area of your personal or professional life.
Today the tips have to do with effective communication. More specifically, how to become a better listener.
Why should I improve my listening skills?
It’s a great question. For the simple reason that a person’s listening skills are a central component to most of the activities people care about. Your ability to understand what others are trying to tell you, to grasp details about projects, to learn Read More...
By Lee McCroskey
http://www.swsalestalk.com/
I’ve been discussing how to generate confidence in a sales setting. As you recall, getting in a good, confident mental state is paramount, and you do that by;
1) what you choose to focus on, and
2) what you do with your physiology.
Let’s talk about the second one. That’s right-your thoughts, your mood, your mental state-all are hard-wired into your physiology. As a sales trainer at the Southwestern Company, i have seen this concept in Read More...
If you want people to tell you the truth, you have to provide a safe environment for that to happen.
If you find people are lying to you, or not telling you the whole truth, on a regular basis, perhaps you should look at yourself. How do you react and respond to situations when they are presented to you?
If you react in an upset or angry manner on a regular basis, people will feel uncomfortable and will soon start to hold back or omit certain details. They will try to paint the picture in a way that is more comfortable and easy for you to accept.
Consider keeping lines of communication open by reacting to information in a calm manner, even when the truth isn’t Read More...
