Some of the most successful businesspeople, such as Bill Gates, are known for taking detailed, effective meeting notes. Gina Trapani, a technology writer and software developer, recently shared three different note-taking systems in Fast Company:
Ernest Hemingway once bragged that he could write a compelling story in only six words. It would have a beginning, a middle and an ending. And it would sing. His friends scoffed. They each bet $10 he couldn’t do it. Here’s what Hemingway wrote:
Write more clearly and persuasively with this strategy, advises Lynn Gaertner-Johnston: Remember the “power of one idea.” That is, one idea for each message, one idea for each paragraph, and one idea for each sentence. Here’s how to remake sentences using the “one idea” strategy.
Some people would never “friend” a co-worker on Facebook; they try hard to keep work and personal lives separate. Others blend the two—letting professional and personal contacts co-exist on social media sites. If you’re attempting to let your friends and co-workers mingle on your Facebook page, keep this tip in mind:
Could co-workers benefit from a little more interaction? At public relations firm Conover Tuttle Pace, employees swap desks for a few weeks to spark cross-company chats and fresh ideas. Here’s how they do it:
In our tech-crazed times, now may be a good time to go back to basics. Use these quaint practices to reach out to people.
Question: “I have been having problems with a female co-worker. ‘Kelly’ and I have always had a friendly relationship, but now she’s avoiding me … I’d like to talk privately and get everything out in the open, but I don’t think Kelly will allow it. What should I do?”— Just a Friend
One of the most common reader questions we receive is about the serial comma—that is, the comma that comes before the “and” when you’re listing a series of things. The question is, “Should I use it or not use it?” The answer is, it’s up to you. The serial comma is used by some publications and dismissed by others, which makes it a matter of style.
If you’re writing an e-newsletter or promotional e-mail for your company, remember: That “free” e-newsletter costs your readers time. And that could be the most valuable thing they possess. Persuading readers to click and read is more challenging than you might think. Heed these tips and tricks from the experts for writing more effective marketing e-mail:
When choosing when you should use “these” or “those,” the decisive factor is whether the things you’re talking about are near or far. In some cases, it’s a psychological distance: Are you referring to something that you just mentioned or something that you mentioned a sentence or two ago?
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