People read your documents until they can stop. Then they do. But that's not because we have limited attention spans. The truth is that we can focus for hours as long as something grabs our attention and doesn't let go. Just ask anyone who's ever binge-watched a...
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Shorter is not always better
One of the biggest business-writing myths has to be that shorter is always better. 'Less is more,' say those who claim to be in the know. Keep it...
Don’t let data drag down your documents
Imagine you've just got a text from a friend. Which of these two messages would you react to more strongly? A: 'The forecast doesn't look great...
Why people misread your messages
Have you ever written what you thought was a perfectly clear email, only to get a reply ten minutes later that left you scratching your head?...
Why you miss your biggest typos
Have you ever missed an obvious typo and wondered how? Maybe it was even in a title in bold, 24-point type. Or perhaps you overlooked a howler in a...
Even big topics need small words
Have you ever noticed how something strange happens whenever we sit down to write a document? In person, we might be able to explain even the most...
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Don’t fall into this common document-writing trap
When most people set out to write something like a report or proposal, they make one fundamental error. They might adapt a similar one that they...
Are you allowing your team to be great business writers?
Once, in pre-Emphasis days, I found myself in a training room full of people whose body language told me that they really did not want to be there....
How better communication can reduce your team’s stress
It's one thing when stress intrudes on your own working day. But when you're responsible for a team, their stress is your stress too. If you're...
Will ChatGPT silence human writers?
If you're ever feeling down about what you've achieved in life, this surprising fact might cheer you up. You managed to rewire your own brain before...
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