Clarity Is King

"And how is clarity to be achieved? Mainly by taking trouble and by writing to serve people rather than to impress them." F. L. Lucas, English critic


Good communication needs to be clear, concise and correct. Clarity comes from the logical structure of a document. Every paragraph should have a topic sentence that captures the main point of the paragraph; every other sentence in the paragraph should develop or support that topic sentence. If the paragraph veers off topic, you need a new paragraph. Review the topic sentence in each paragraph and ensure they flow logically. If you list the topic sentences together in order, do you see a logical flow of thought? If so, the document will be clear.

Make Sure E-mails Work for You

When writing an e-mail, add a keyword to the subject line. The keyword is the first word of the subject line, followed by a colon or dash and then the rest of the subject line. The keyword sets up the e-mail and tells the recipient what is expected of him or her. For example:

Review by 1-15-11--Draft of website content
Approve--Final version of PPT
Decision--Do you want to go with Design A or Design B for the cover?

Using a keyword helps recipients prioritize e-mails and more often results in a faster reply from them.

Now that your subject line communicates, what can you do with the rest of the e-mail to ensure a quick reply? More on that later.


Writing Effective E-Mail: Improving Your Electronic Communication (Crisp Fifty-Minute Series)

Do you need an editor or a ghostwriter?

An editor can ensure your documents are clear, concise and correct; are consistent with your brand; and meet your goals. An editor does not write your documents for you; on the other hand, a ghostwriter is a hired pen. She takes your material and ideas and writes your documents for you anonymously. Visit www.patriciahaddock.com to find out how I can help you with editing or ghostwriting.

"Blogging is not rocket science..."

"Blogging is not rocket science, it’s about being yourself, and putting what you have into it." Unknown

Blogging without a purpose is nothing more than publicizing a diary--which should always remain private. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, your blog needs to provide solid, valuable, current information your readers can use. 

Give readers something they can't find anywhere else--your knowledge and expertise--and they will return for more. Every blog entry should reward the reader for his or her time and attention. 

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything." Wyatt Earp, American lawman

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything." Wyatt Earp, American lawman


Never publish anything with an error in it. Proofread everything. If you're not a good proofreader, or if your knowledge of grammar and punctuation is sketchy, hire someone to proof documents for you. A teacher could probably use some extra money and might be less expensive than a professional proofreader. Aim for accuracy; even a small mistake can be deadly for your credibility.

Brand Everything

Every communication from you should carry your brand and brand message. The look of all communications must be consistent, and your messages should include your tag line. The more you incorporate your brand, the easier it will be to establish it.