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7. Are you using too many words?
Painting the picture is important and
providing context can be helpful in doing
that. However, if your communicative
efforts are full of extraneous words and
facts, your main points can get lost in the
fray. Everyone appreciates clear, concise
messaging, so if your conversations are
running long, take the time to see what you
might cut.
8. Or, are you clipped and brief?
On the flipside, you can also underwhelm
your intended target with skimpy
messaging. If you’re replying to a client or
a subordinate, take the time to write full
sentences and include proper greetings
and sign-offs. It’s probably not a good time
for a one-word or single-line reply.
9. Do you consistently consider overall
formatting?
If you’re curating something
comprehensive, you’ll want to put thought
to how you can make it scannable (easy
to skim). Maybe bullet points will work or
you could give each paragraph a heading?
That way readers can scan your email
or thought-leadership post and find the
section that’s most relevant to them.
10. Do you edit yourself regularly?
If you’ve already spent an exorbitant
amount of time writing a message, it’s
tempting to want t o just put it out into the
e-universe and never lay eyes on it again.
However, you’ll get a fresh perspective if
you let it breathe. Time’s always short, but
if possible, give a draft 24 hours or even 30
minutes to rest and then review it.
11. Do you ask for feedback?
Do you ever scan your outbox and cringe
when you look back at some of the things
you’ve written in the past? Writing can
immensely improve if you take the time to
corral a differnet set of eyes on your work
to offer constructive tips. If you want to
improve, ask for feedback from someone
who handles words in a way you admire.
12. Are you direct?
If you’re broaching a tricky topic or subject
matter you’re not well versed in, it’s really
easy to beat around the bush. However, it’s
best to be straightforward. Don’t expect
people to guess what’s going on in your
head. Be nuanced, but be clear and honest.
13. Do you always think about which
platform you’re using?
Social media has undoubtedly broken walls
that have existed for decades between
brands and their consumers. With the
recent uprising of direct-to-customer
access that social media provides, it’s
especially important to curtail the message
for the appropriate channel to truly
penetrate the audience. Should you use a
Twitter, an email, a phone call, a Facebook,
a blog or a keynote speech to deliver your
message? All valid questions that can
be answered by identifying who you are
and whom you’re talking to. For difficult
messages, speaking to someone on the
phone or face-to-face over email is usually
the best way to go.
14. Are you constantly aware of your tone?
In the same way that you speak to your
friends is different to how you speak to
your mom and dad, what’s appropriate on
Twitter might not be OK in an email to your
CEO. If you’re unsure whether you’ve got
the tone right, check in with a trusted co-
worker, before you hit send.
15. Are you considering your intended
target?
Take a quick second to look the person up
on Linkedin before constructing an email
to them. That might help to avoid some
blunders or add a helpful personal detail in
the email.
16. Do you keep the connection alive?
It’s a lot less random to ask for an invite,
an intro, or a recommendation if you’re not
reaching out for the first time in months
(or years) to do it. Once you know who
the other person is and what he or she
cares about, keep the connection warm by
sending a quick ping or text.
And this isn’t just for one-on-one personal
relationships: Consistent communication
through engaging with followers on social
media, through regular blogging/vlogging
or sending out a newsletter drives the point
home that you actually care.
Remember, strong credentials can get
you in front of the right opportunities
effective communication skills will help you
capitalize on them.
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