How well you write and speak can determine how persuasive you are and how quickly you are regarded as an expert or at least a knowledgeable person.
Making a mistake when communicating has been compared to talking to someone when you have a chunk of spinach stuck in your teeth. The listener may hear what you’re saying but probably will have trouble accepting it because of the social discomfort caused by your “Caesar salad smile.”
Word usage and good grammar work the same way. If you don’t write or speak intelligently it gets in the way of people totally accepting your ideas. If you are like most folks, your attitude towards perfect grammar and spelling is that it is something the geeks and nerds learned in school. But please trust me, it is very important when you’re trying to impress customers with your knowledge and the value of your product or services. If you struggle in those two areas areas, don’t hesitate to ask for a little help from someone. Us nerdy geeks love to feel special, and helping you makes us feel good about ourselves. Think about it: you could actually be saving a nerd from therapy!
Yet good writing is more than just avoiding those often confusing word usage errors. When you’re writing for your blog, your profile page, your email campaign, or your web pages, let me offer you a few helpful hints:
Use the “You” approach. Readers are interested in what will benefit them.
Write to be understood, not to impress.
Use strong verbs. (And be sure the subject agrees with the verb.)
Work on the proper use of I and me.
Look up problem words and phrases that you’re not certain of. You might even think about starting a “learn a new word a day” habit. (I know – sounds like school. But if you just learn a new netpreneur buzz word a day, that’s totally cool, don’t you think?)
Lastly, write the way you talk – well, almost. In order words, speak conversationally. Example: Don’t say “enclosed please find….” A simple, “Here is your ….”
Okay. I promise I am finished for today.
No, really. I mean it.