One of my students once asked me during my weekend lecture,
“So, Prof… any business writing tips?”
I said, “Don’t do business writing.”
Don’t hide behind stiff formatting and lifeless jargon. Don’t drown your message in buzzwords that mean nothing.
No one talks like this in real life:
“Effective January 1, 2012, we are ceasing operations at this location due to the end of the world. Apologies for the inconvenience. For queries, you may reach out to xxx@kianthology.com.”
You’d just say,
“We’re closing this store. Sorry for the hassle. Please call us at +63XXX-XXXXXXX if you have any questions.”
See the difference?
Write like you talk instead.
The best business writing sounds human, clear, natural, and sincere.
It’s not about sounding smart. It’s about being understood.
People don’t respond to templates.
They respond to tone, authenticity, and intent.
So, if you wouldn’t say it that way in person, don’t write it that way on paper.