Writing Etiquette 101

The art of writing in business in the most basic asset.

Any common computer course can teach us the basics of communication via email. Most of us have been sending emails since we were in 6th grade. No matter how long you’ve been doing it, there’s always room for improvement. Marketing degrees may not have classes on writing etiquette, but there are writing classes offered that could drastically alter your way of writing and communication altogether.

Specific writing courses offered for advertising and marketing students can include journalism, magazine writing, and even creative writing classes at your English department. The more diverse your writing skills, the better you will be prepared for communication with fellow coworkers and clients.

Many simple tasks such as emails should not be viewed as casual. Many professionals could get lackadaisical and feel too comfortable with a simple email. However, it’s always better to keep it professional!

Tips for professional communication:

1. Make sure you open with their name and end the letter or email with a formal closing.

2. Spell Check! The worst mistake you can make is to misspell your clients’ name and risk losing their business. Marketing often teaches people the importance of the little things, and the big impact they can have on the overall picture.

3. We all are victims of the abbreviation and acronym craze. However, in a professional setting these shortcuts are never a good idea! Take your time to spell it out and get to the point.

Writing is a skill that can be honed and perfected. No matter what reason you are writing words and forming sentences, perfection can pay off. Marketing degrees may not outline or emphasize the importance of writing well, but it is a skill that most employers are seeking in a future employee. Many tasks in a marketing career require technical writing abilities such as creating press releases, memos, solicitation letters, pitch letters and marketing campaign outlines. These are just the tip of the iceberg! The more you educate yourself on the basics of writing, the more beneficial it will be to your career in marketing.