Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

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Boost Your Productivity by STRENGTHENING Your Writing

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Barbara model poseby Barbara McNichol

 

For years, I’ve been on a crusade to help people boost their productivity by strengthening their writing so they can avoid the problems that come with sending unclear messages.

As part of this crusade, I offer a WordShop to organizations and individuals, including:

  • Business professionals
  • Administration assistants
  • Marketing copywriters
  • Grant proposal writers
  • Journalists, bloggers, authors

My next public WordShop called STRENGTHEN Everything You Write comes up on Oct. 25th at Tucson College. This 3.5-hour hands-on session helps you improve everything you write—from business emails to proposals, reports, blog posts, articles, book chapters, and more. All attendees will received the 2nd edition of Word Trippers, my word choice guide.

At the end of this WordShop, you’ll be able to:

  • Get results you want with clearer, more concise writing.
  • Save readers’ time by reducing wordiness and repetition.
  • Plan your ideas before you write for maximum effect.
  • Select the right tone to fit your audience, purpose, and topic.
  • Eliminate errors that create confusion and mar your reputation.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

9:30 am – 1 pm

Tucson College – 5151 East Broadway Blvd. at Rosemont, Tucson AZ

Only $69*

Register here 10/25.

“Great new tools, great tune-up of existing knowledge!”

– Mark F., career consultant

No More Dull, Muddled, Exaggerated Subject Lines—and Ignored Emails

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by Barbara McNichol

In the flood of today’s electronic communications, your email’s subject line—like all kinds of business writing—should be crafted with precision and purpose. But some would argue that the price you pay for NOT writing a strong subject line is high—i.e., when the subject line is dull, muddled, or full of hyperbole, you risk having your message ignored altogether, even spammed.

My colleague Beth Terry passionately “beats the drum” about writing better subject lines, especially with those she coaches. She sees how they limit their business success simply because critical emails never get read!

Beth shares the following technique to get us thinking strategically about subject line writing.

As you prepare to scan your email inbox over a cup of coffee, draw a line down the middle of a notepad. On one side write: “Got my attention.” On the other side write: “Boring.” Then jot down subject line examples under the appropriate column.

You might add a second page titled “Clues that it’s junk mail” and note giveaway elements (e.g., euphemistic or overwrought terms, lousy spelling, over-capitalization or punctuation, or no subject line at all) 

In particular, notice:

  • What grabbed your attention? One possibility: subject lines that address a current need/concern/worry/struggle—something important to you
  • What didn’t grab you? Why not?
  • What did you trash without a second thought? Why?
  • Finally, what tells you it’s junk mail:ALLCAPS? Misspelled words? Weird or poor grammar? Unfamiliar or suspicious sender?

By the time you finish that coffee, you’ll be well on your way to creating attractive and/or intriguing subject lines—enticing your recipients to read your message.

The lesson: Make that subject line as important as your carefully crafted email. If you’re unsure, send a copy to a trusted friend (or competent editor) for a “second opinion.”

It also doesn’t hurt to let an important email linger in “Draft” for a day or two. Then you’ll come back to it with fresh eyes and a focused, intentional mindset.

What have you found makes your subject lines more effective? Share your “victories” on this blog.

Active Construction: The Single Most Important Change Writers Can Make

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by Barbara McNichol

active constructionWhat’s the single most important change you can make in your writing? Learn to use active construction to add clarity and action to your message.

Watch out for “is” words and their various cousins.
Stay alert to phrases like “is happening” or “was being good”;
change them to “happens” or “behaved.” Search out every
weak “is” form in your manuscript and find a strong
alternative.

Avoid “Start” and “Begin”–“Just” too

Don’t overuse the words “start to” and “begin.” What
can you do differently? “Start to rub your hands together”
becomes “rub your hands together”; “allow your energy
fields to begin merg ing” becomes “allow your energy fields
to merge.” Are you guilty of overusing these two weak words?

In fact, I’d put the word “just” in the same “weak” category.
I love what one of my subscribers wrote: “I don’t have a
Begin or Start habit. I do, though, have a Just habit. I just
can’t kick it. It just seems appropriate when you just do
something . . . like I just read your newsletter. Without the
just, I could have read it anytime.”

Lazy Linking Phrases

Add to that a few lazy linking phrases like “there are” and
“there will be.”  Rewrite them! For example, “There will be
many representatives elected” becomes “voters will elect
many representatives.” (Better yet, instead of many, use a
specific number.)

Why do I call these phrases lazy? Because they often lead
into long passive sentences that stem the flow and slow
readers down. When your readers have to swim upstream to
follow what you write, they tend to give up. Better to ease
them along with crisp, sharp prose—especially active verbs!

Yes, I do keep beating this drum about active verbs because
they will make your writing better. Change passive to active
and you’ll see how they improve the flow, enhance the clarity,
and add muscle to the meaning.

Challenge: Rewrite these sentences using active construction:

  1. Passive: This policy is being implemented in an effort to streamline our process.
    Active:
  2. Passive: Improvement will be noted in most cases (or instances).
    Active:
  3. Passive: The procedure was changed in order to reduce the necessary steps.
    Active:

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Tucson, AZ 85750

Phone: 520-615-7910

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