As sales professionals, we use written communication on a daily basis. Whether we’re writing a proposal for a prospect, sending an email, or drafting a blog post, writing is an essential part of our jobs. To uphold our image of professionalism, it is vital that our writing be both accurate and effective.
So how do we ensure that we’re putting our best foot forward every time we send off a sample of our writing? Here are two tips:
Write in advance: When you’re writing, time is your friend. Leave yourself enough time to set it aside – ideally overnight – and review it again before sending it off. When you revisit it, ask yourself, “Is the message clear? Are there any extraneous sentences? Is my writing persuasive?” You may find that some of your language choices were awkward or confusing in retrospect.
Proofread thoroughly: Regardless of whether or not you have time to set aside your writing and revisit it later, it always pays to reread your work several times. Your writing is a reflection of your professional abilities, and spelling or grammatical errors convey a lack of care. If you don’t feel confident in your ability to catch all of your mistakes, consider sending your work to a coworker or friend for proofreading. It’s always good to have an extra pair of eyes!
