%% ID: 13204914 Updated: 2022-01-28 %% ![](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article4.6bc1851654a0.png) # About Title: [[Other/Obsidian Starter Vault(Second Brain)/Readwise/Articles/The Power Business Writing Guide]] Author: [[Sahil Bloom]] Category: #articles Number of Highlights: ==27== Last Highlighted: *2022-01-05* Readwise URL: https://readwise.io/bookreview/13204914 Source URL: https://sahilbloom.substack.com/p/the-power-business-writing-guide # Highlights deep, visceral understanding of the importance of powerful, efficient, high-leverage writing ^278319300 --- Why? These leaders know that powerful writing isn't an accident—clear writing is clear thinking ^278319301 --- The four key principles of powerful business writing: (1) Draft Fast, Edit Slow, (2) KISS, (3) Clear Target Reaction, and (4) Storytelling. Visuals by @drex_jpg ^278319302 --- Principle 1: Draft Fast, Edit Slow ^278319303 --- The perfect line is illusive, and everyone knows you need a perfect first line ^278319304 --- Cut the Fluff ^278319305 --- Principle 2: Keep It Simple, Stupid ^278319306 --- Come back and review the draft with the benefit of that refresh. Ask a bunch of questions: What's missing? Where are the logical flaws? Where are the cracks? Where is the writing loose or flimsy? When you review with "new" ^278319307 --- Add Data ^278319308 --- Visuals by @drex_jpg Want to accelerate your career? Write better. Period ^278319309 --- leaders know that powerful writing isn't an accident—clear writing is clear thinking ^278319310 --- Principle 3: Clear Target Reaction ^278319311 --- In the real world, those fluff words are the silent killers of powerful business writing. Review your draft with an eye towards removing any unnecessary words & sentences. ^278319312 --- Write-Rest-Review ^278319313 --- "I think X" "Very" (or similar adverbs) Acronyms Jargon $10 words (i.e. fancy, big, long words) Be ruthless in identifying and eliminating the fluff words & sentences from your writing. ^278319314 --- . When in doubt, replace fluff words with data. Before: "The majority of viewers loved the show." After: "95% of viewers rated the show with 5-stars." The after is clear & much more impactful ^278319315 --- friend Julian Shapiro said it best: “Making something bad then iterating until it’s good is faster than making something good upfront ^278319316 --- Shorten Everything Powerful business writing is very similar to powerful Twitter writing: short, punchy writing is better. Use short sentence structures. Space sentences or paragraphs out to make the writing more optically pleasing. Great business writing should be engaging to the eye. I have found writing more on Twitter to be a force amplifier for my business writing—it’s a forced brevity training ground. Use it to your advantage as you work at your craft. ^278319317 --- Play a trick on yourself. Start writing, fast. Get a draft down—and don’t worry at all about the quality (seriously, it’s ok if it suck ^278319318 --- deliberate purpose or aim. That ta ^278319319 --- Adding a story to a memo on a dry topic can bring the entire piece to life. Simple, crisp stories enhance the power of the message. ^278319320 --- Punch the reader in the face with your first sentenc ^278319321 --- . Principle 4: Storytelling Storytelling is a foundational skill—but it's one we don’t learn in the traditional education system. It's no coincidence that the greatest CEOs & founders are the greatest storytellers. High-leverage storytelling is a supercharger for all endeavors ^278319322 --- What reaction, value, or takeaway should the audience have? Is it coming across loud and clear? If not, go back to the drawing board and punch harder ^278319323 --- Better business writing can change your life—it’s a skill like any other. With focused study and practice, you’ll be well on your way to improving your craft and leveling up. I highly ^278319324 --- target reaction should be a central focus during your writing process ^278319325 --- we developed around campfires. Lean into this wiring ^278319326