Does Your Writing Make You Look Dumb?

In my career, I’ve met a lot of smart people. They come from all over. They have different backgrounds. They have taken different paths and have fascinating stories to tell.*

Then why are so many of the stories, blogs, press releases and articles that are published so, well, boring? Why are so many emails unreadable? Boring may be a kind word. Unreadable may be a bit unkind.

Committing an act of grammar-cide would be another way to put it.

Last night, I met with a client who said a very profound thing, which was, “The written word is interpreted more literally than the spoken word, and speaks much more about you than the spoken word. (Insert person’s name here) seems like such a smart guy, but look at the email that I got from him. It’s really poorly written. He must not be that smart.”

Amen to that, brother. In this era of spell check and grammar tools, why is there so much “not smart” writing out there?

Everyone thinks that because they can type or text, that they can write.

Writing has the ability to literally (or literately) communicate how smart you are to your audience. It is a big deal.

Proof your writing for more than grammar and spelling. Make sure your writing is well read. Have someone you can trust to be honest read it.

If people keep asking you for clarification on your emails or letters, it is a sign that you are not a good writer. You’re a smart person. Don’t let your writing betray you.

If you’re not confident in what you’re writing, call a professional writer.  For a quicker response, you could send them a poorly written email.

Stick to the phone call.

*Blogger’s Confession:

This is a very biased post. Full disclosure – I am a writer. I even get paid for it. The only way to accomplish this is to provide value through the written word.

The Next Blog Thing

Social Media Convictions Must be Fluid

The social world seems to spin even faster than the real world. Just when you think you’re up to speed on the new Facebook algorithm, either it has changed or Facebook is the new myspace.

So how can you expect to develop strategy when the electronic battlefield changes every day? How can you deliver smart, strategic deliverables when the only constant state is a state of flux?

When a client asks you what you recommend, they’re asking what you truly believe

in. This is tricky. We’ve all been taught to be consistent, and to respect people who are steadfast in their beliefs.

In the social world, you have to be flexible. You need to keep your eye on your goals, but be ready to adjust your course based on the best way to connect with your audience.

You have to make your knowledge and value available when and where it works. The only way to do this is to do what we do in the “real” world… listen and learn.

And, you have to be fluid. Not inconsistent. Fluid, as in being ready to take the form of what’s flowing. You can only be a resource if you can navigate it through the system to your brand advocates.

Keep your content consistent. Your values, both corporate and personal, should be consistent. Your Brand Essence statement (we’ll cover Brand Essence in an upcoming post) will keep you on track here.

Stick to your convictions. Be steadfastly fluid with how you deliver them.