The truth about the new rules of business writing

Introduction

Part I. The truth about what makes writing work

Truth 1. Most people aim for the wrong target

Truth 2. If you can say it, you can write it

Truth 3. Forget yesterday-write for today

Truth 4. Planning is the magic ingredient

Truth 5. To achieve your goal, look below its surface

Truth 6. Cut to the chase: Put the bottom line on top

Truth 7. "Me"-focused messages fail

Truth 8. People are not the same: Write for differences

Truth 9. Tone makes-or breaks-your message

Truth 10. Knowing your inside story is the key

Truth 11. Forget outlines-organize your thinking

Truth 12. How to organize is a personal choice

Truth 13. Every message you send has a psychological impact

Truth 14. Effective messages lead with strength

Truth 15. To succeed, cover your ground and remember "the ask"

Truth 16. Your goal and audience determine the best way to communicate

Part II. The truth about self-editing

Truth 17. The best writers don't write; they rewrite

Truth 18. Rhythm and transitions make writing move

Truth 19. Less can be a whole lot more

Truth 20. Passive thinking and jargon undermine clarity

Truth 21. You don't need grammar drills to spot your writing problems

Part III. The truth about successful e-mail

Truth 22. Use e-mail to communicate in the fast lane-powerfully

Truth 23. Good subject lines say, "Open sesame"

Truth 24. Know your e-mail do's and don'ts

Truth 25. Writing good progress reports is worth your time

Part IV. The truth about letters

Truth 26. Letters: They live! And you need them

Truth 27. Letters build relationships

Truth 28. Cover letters matter, big time

Part V. The truth about reports and proposals

Truth 29. Good reports generate action

Truth 30. Organizing complex projects isn't that hard

Truth 31. Well-crafted proposals win

Truth 32. The letter format lets you shortcut proposals

Truth 33. Root grant applications in "mission"-yours and the funder's

Part VI. The truth about Web sites

Truth 34. Writing is the missing factor in your competitors' Web sites

Truth 35. Web sites built on keywords and content build traffic

Truth 36. A home page must crystallize who you are

Part VII. The truth about new media

Truth 37. Blogging and social media are powerful business tools

Truth 38. To blog for yourself, be yourself, but carefully

Truth 39. Good business blogging is edgy

Truth 40. Tweeting and texting: the ultimate self-edit challenge

Truth 41. E-letters focus marketing and reinforce branding

Truth 42. Good PowerPoint is more than pretty faces: It starts with writing

Part VIII. The truth about writing to self-market

Truth 43. Strong résumés focus on accomplishments, not responsibilities

Truth 44. Fliers are easy all-purpose promotional tools

Truth 45. It pays to think PR and send news releases

Truth 46. Writing articles boosts your career

Truth 47. The virtual world offers self-publishing power

Part IX. The truth about tricks of the trade

Truth 48. Good headlines help your writing work-a lot

Truth 49. Skillful interviewing is a major (but unrecognized) business asset

Truth 50. Readers are global: Try not to confuse them

Truth 51. Clarity is next to godliness

Truth 52. You can fix your own grammar goofs

References

Creating a style sheet

Resources