When writing firm documents--letters, memos, reports, even emails--one thing to keep in mind is that it is Never about you, the writer. It is all the time about your reader: who are they, what do they already know about the branch matter, and what do they need or want to know? all the time write from the reader's point of view.
Who is your reader?
Are they male or female?
What is their age?
While too much focus on gender and age can lead to stereotyping, it is foremost to understand that basic differences exist in the way men and women and people of separate generations communicate. For example, men are usually more direct, while most women like to first build rapport. With regard to age, today's workplace may have at least three generations of employees: Radio-Agers (born between 1922 and 1945); Baby Boomers (1947-1964); Generation X (1965-1980). Generation Y (1981- 2000) haven't been in the workforce very long, so they may or may not need be considered. Commonly speaking, Radio-Agers have a strong work ethic, lead by directives and recap formally, via memos. Baby Boomers like to work hard and play hard, prefer a consensual leadership style and in-person communication. Generation X are self-reliant, challenge others (i.e., ask why), and want immediate communication.
Where are they in the firm hierarchy (job title, department)?
What is their educational background?
What do they know?
Do they know less, as much, or more than you about this subject? What do they think they know? Are they customary with commerce jargon and acronyms?
What do they need/want to know?
How curious are they in reading this information? What is foremost to them? Do they need to write back to or act upon the information? If so, do you need to give them direction?
Always write from the reader's point of view.
Use language that is meaningful to your reader. Avoid jargon (industry-specific terminology) unless you're sure they understand it. Anticipate questions or objections and address them in the document. Don't wait for the reader to come to you after they've read it.
You're probably wondering what you should do if you're writing to several people--different generations, male and female, at separate levels of the firm hierarchy, with various educational backgrounds and branch knowledge. In these situations, it's best to target the middle of the road: relay adequate data in de facto understood language so that the least knowledgeable reader is brought up-to-speed, without talking down to them or insulting the brain of the more knowledgeable reader. If you use jargon, acronyms or abbreviations, define them the first time you use them. Ask yourself how you would relay this data if you were talking to each person individually. Then put yourself in the reader's place: ask yourself, "If I were this person, how would I want this data communicated to me?
To Whom Do You Think You're Writing? May You Interested This:
