In a previous post I wrote about how I’m currently working on improving my writing skills. Yesterday, I came across two interesting writing lessons which I’ve shared below.

David Ogilvy’s 10 Tips on Writing

The first was an internal memo written by David Ogilvy in 1982. The title of the memo was “How to write”.

In 10 bullet points he put together a masterclass in writing.

The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well.

Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches.

Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well. Here are 10 hints:

1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times.

2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.

3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.

4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.

5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.

6. Check you quotations.

7. Never send a letter or memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning – and then edit it.

8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.

9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.

10. If you want ACTION, don’t write. Go and tell the guy what you want.

David Ogilvy

Simple advice that everyone should follow.

Requesting Writing Feedback – Tim Ferriss

This lead me to another important lesson in writing – getting feedback from others. I like the framework Tim Ferriss uses. He asks anyone who reads his writing to do the following:

• Highlight anything that is confusing.
• Highly points where your mind starts to wander.
• Indicate the 10% of the piece that I need to keep no matter what.

The first point helps you identify sections of your writing that are confusing. The second point helps identify sections of writing that aren’t engaging. The third point helps you identify sections of writing to keep.

This framework is useful because it gives the reader clear instructions on what to look out for. Anyone can read a document, apply this framework and provide useful feedback.

Tim Ferriss says writing is the most important habit for:

• Fulfillment
• Excitement
• Personal success
• Professional success

The lesson above is from a video Tim Ferriss did called “How to Use Writing to Sharpen Your Thinking”. I suggest you watch the full video.

Writing is thinking. There is no better way to understand something than to write about it.

Writing is communicating. All successful people are good communicators.

Learn to write well.