***Why is Writing So Important to the Success of Any Business?

Words. We talk, we read, we write. We use words without even thinking about them. Yet when somebody specifically mentions writing, many people freeze up not believing they can write. “I'm not a writer!” they say, truly believing it. Does that sound like you?

If you have a business, you need to understand that you are a writer, despite what you think. Writing does not mean just being an author of a book. If you have a web page or a blog, if you write articles and sales page copy or any other form of marketing for your business, you are a writer. If you are a business person, you need to change the perception of yourself by beginning to think of yourself as a writer and realize the importance of the words you use, especially in your business writing.

As you write, the language you select is very important. The words you choose will make a difference in how your reader perceives what you have written. You can dole out information, express your feelings, tell someone what to do, or just converse. You can make a sale or blow a sale just with your choice of words. You can convince, persuade, cajole, plead or entertain with your words. Your language will make people believe in you or think you are not worth the effort. How you communicate, the language you use, will say volumes about you.

Often time, your writing and the language you use is the very first introduction of who you are to your reader. If your use of language, e.g., choice or use of words, spelling, grammar, etc., is incorrect, then you will not be giving out the professional signals you want to send to begin a profitable business relationship with potential clients or customers. You can always become a better wordsmith. But it does take some work.

Here are some suggestions to improve your use of language which will ultimately improve your writing.

• Observe and listen to language experts or just good speakers. Listen to the choice of words and how they use them.
• Read, read and read. Pay attention to the language and how it is used in what you are reading.
• Keep a dictionary and thesaurus at your side when you are writing, and USE them!
• Carry a little notebook around with you and write down all the words you hear that you may not be sure of. Then look them up and use them in a sentence to get practice using them.
• Listen to the classics being read aloud. Listen to how the authors use language.
• Pay attention to the words you use. Try to use a new word a day in your conversation or writing. Soon you will find that your vocabulary is increasing and your writing improves.
• Did I mention, read, read and read? The more you read, the more you will find that you just become a better writer and communicator. Language will become more natural to you the more you read.

Many people do not realize the importance of language, or the words they use. As a result, they may not be presenting the best foot forward either personally or for their business. So, take the time to become a better writer by becoming better at the use of words. You will be glad you did!