Insights for Corporate Writing

1. Insights for Corporate Writing Joseph Priest Corporate Writer, Syniverse Jan. 30, 2014

2. Start with the approval process Corporate Writing Insights • Don’t make the mistake of focusing on finishing a piece first and worrying about the approval process later. • Delayed approval can result in a well-written piece requiring major rewriting or never seeing the light of day. • Plan a strategy as much as possible for the timing and method for each person in the approval chain. • How many people will need to approve the piece? • Will all the approvers be available? • What’s the best communication method to use to engage each approver? • What’s the best approach to address edits with each approver?

3. Corporate Writing Insights Allow yourself thinking time • Don’t mistake lack of writing (i.e., typing) for lack of progress. • If time allows before a deadline, take a break from a piece to allow your thoughts to marinate, and then come back to it. • Some of your best writing – or the foundation for some of your best writing – can come during seeming roadblocks and moments of frustration.

4. Corporate Writing Insights Get out of your comfort zone • The comfort and familiarity of your desk can inhibit original writing and critical proofing. • Find a place in your office that is quiet but slightly uncomfortable. • The goal is a place that will allow concentration and fresh thinking, but not a place that is too quiet or isolated. • A change of location is especially invaluable for proofing your own writing.

5. Capitalize titles (if you can) Corporate Writing Insights • AP style rules for titles are extremely complex. • Go ahead and capitalize titles in corporate, marketing and internal communications. • Follow AP style for communications targeted to media. • On Monday, Chief Operating Officer Sam Spade will arrive. The meeting was set up by account executive Jackie Brown. • There is Coach Lovie Smith. There is new Bucs coach Lovie Smith. • The sales department is run by Manager Roger Thornhill. The gas station is run by manager Joe Gillis.

6. Beware of “comprised of” Corporate Writing Insights • “Comprise” means “to contain”; the whole comprises the parts. • “Compose” means “to create”; the parts compose the whole. • “Constitute,” “consists of” and “madeup of” are also options. • The zoo comprises 42 animal exhibits. • Twelve people compose the jury. The jury is composedof 12 people. • Five people constitutethe team. The program consists of five parts. The team is made upof five people.