7 easy tips for writing at work

Writing is still the best way to overcome distance between people, Zoom’s not. Part of a remote team, it's my default tool to communicate and I've learnt a lot over the years.

Use it wrong, and you'll spend your time explaining, rather than expressing. Use it well, and you'll inspire the people around you, even from a distance.

Here are 7 tips that I wish I had learnt at school.

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#1 - Be your own audience
If it's interesting for you, there's more chance it'll be interesting for them.

#2 - Idioms make people go bananas
We're all remote now, not everyone commands the English language like native speakers do. Throwing idioms out from your toolbox will make you more relatable and easier to understand to everyone.

#3 - It's you, not me
A good "you" will send a little alert in the reader's mind that they need to pay attention. And in writing, your one and only job is to move those eyes to the next line, one micro-moment at a time.

#4 - Actively delete adverbs
Adverbs are empty, kill the -ly. Instead, use a more in-depth description of what you’re trying to say.

#5 - Get it on the page, don't get it right
First, empty your mind about the topic you'd like to write about. Don't pay attention to form, syntax, or audience. Just get it out.

#6 - Edit with a sword
Good writing needs great editing. When in doubt over a certain word or passage, chop it from the text.

#7 - Read it loud
This is the magic sauce to good writing. Because your ear will pick up things that your eyes cannot. If it sounds good, it'll read well.

Thanks for reading, I'm happy to know yours now!

And if you liked this, there's a chance you'll like what I write about. Each week, I short, honest posts on things I learn while working in a 100% remote team. Find them at twitter.com/clementrog