9 Habits of Strong Business Writers

Last week, I had the pleasure of leading two Effective Business Writing workshops with a nonprofit team that cares deeply about doing their jobs well. And I’m excited for the third in this series, where we’ll dive into live critiques on projects they’re currently working on.

What struck me—as it often does—is how capable and thoughtful people can still struggle to put ideas clearly into words.

The issue isn’t intelligence. It’s that most of us were never taught how to write effectively in a professional setting.

The Executive Director mentioned she receives between 100 and 150 emails per day—many of them extremely long with multiple action points—and she feels guilty when one of those items is missed, especially if it leads to complications later.

I let her know this is not her fault! The problem is with the original email she received. I broke it down to ensure this team never makes anyone feel overwhelmed, anxious, or guilty… and they always get the response they need in a timely manner.

Here are 9 habits strong business writers practice to ensure their correspondence delivers the results they want.

9 Habits of Strong Business Writers

  1. They are clear about the purpose before they begin to write.
  2. They focus on the reader and write the way they speak.
  3. They anticipate any questions and include the answers.
  4. They get to the point quickly.
  5. They cut unnecessary words and filler phrases.
  6. They choose active voice whenever possible.
  7. They ask for a response, if needed.
  8. They never send the first draft.
  9. They remember that writing represents them and their organization.

Effective copywriting isn’t just about writing well—it’s about writing in a way that speaks directly to your audience’s needs, emotions, and desires.

When you strengthen your writing, something else improves as well: clarity of thinking.

And when your thinking is clear, your message becomes easier for others to understand, trust, and act upon.