by Sharon Ernst | Apr 18, 2025 | Business Writing Skills
Originally published October 2019, Updated April 2025. Let’s talk about business writing essentials. Why? So we can avoid several common mistakes that get in the way of clear communication at work. How Business Writing Essentials Help You Avoid Common Mistakes Have you ever realized you’ve been making the same mistake over and over, unaware it was a mistake? I have. Growing up I had a friend who would say “for all intents and purposes.” I thought she kept saying “for all intensive purposes.” I didn’t know what it meant but she...
by Sharon Ernst | Feb 17, 2025 | Business Writing Class
I finally published the basic business writing course this weekend. Whew!! You have no idea what a relief it was to finally get that done! It takes me a long time to get these online classes pulled together. And there’s always the doubt that they are as helpful as I want them to be. Are you wondering why I even went to all the work to make this class happen? Yes, me too, if I’m honest. But I have a strong desire to share basic tips and advice to help people improve their writing at work. The work behind the classes Every online...
by Sharon Ernst | Nov 25, 2024 | Business Writing Skills
Why are we so short on business writing skills anyway? Mark Twain supposedly said, “Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.” Obviously, he was being sarcastic because there’s a lot more to writing than crossing out the wrong words, right? But what? What are we missing? What do we not know? Well, it turns out there’s a lot we don’t know about writing…especially business writing. One study found 26.2% of employers think college graduates have deficient business writing skills—not weak but deficient. As for...
by Sharon Ernst | Feb 19, 2024 | Business Writing Skills
Originally published May 2018. Updated February 2024. Something has been lost in our hurry-up world: attention to detail. And some of the most important business writing advice we need to learn by heart is that details do matter! Details matter because paying attention to details saves time for the writer and the reader, and protects the credibility of the businessperson and the brand. Paying Attention to Details Takes Time but Saves Time Details, shmetails, right? We’re in a hurry! Maybe, but the time we save by going so fast can...
by Sharon Ernst | Apr 13, 2021 | Business Writing Skills
(Originally published April 2017) Can changing just one word of your message get that message across faster when writing at work? I think so. Here’s why… I used to drive a stretch of freeway with a most annoying sign off to the west that irked me every time I passed it. The sign was a huge banner for a tree maintenance company and it read, “Are your trees safe?” I suspect the purpose of the sign was to generate business, but I don’t think their word choice was the best for doing so. However, that sign gives me an...
