Business Writing For Busy People from Udemy

Business Writing For Busy People is a short, sharp course you can complete at your desk in under 2 hours.

Completely updated for 2022, the course shows you how to grab the attention of busy readers - by writing in a way that’s clear, concise and compelling.

What you’ll learn in Business Writing for Busy People

Business Writing For Busy People, covers the key things you need to know if you want to get better results from your business writing.

This course is perfect for anyone who has to write anything at work. Whether you’re a new graduate who needs to adapt your writing style for the workplace. Or an experienced executive who wants to brush up your business writing skills.

By the end of this course, you’ll be armed with a slew of techniques for crafting more effective business documents, from day-to-day emails to persuasive pitches and proposals.

You’ll start by learning to identify the features of a ‘professional’ writing style. You’ll be introduced to a series of powerful (and free. ) online writing tools you can use to analyse your own work. Tools that have been tried, tested and given the whole-hearted thumbs up by my own clients.

You’ll also learn about the cultural factors that can affect the degree of impact your writing will have - essential knowledge if English isn’t your first language or if you’re working as part of a global team.

Good writing isn’t primarily about the words you use - it’s about figuring out what you’re trying to say and why it matters.

So early on in the course, you’ll learn how to quickly identify your key message before you even sit down to write. And how to present your ideas effectively - in a way that meets the needs of busy readers.

Specifically, you'll learn more about the reading strategies people use to seek out the information that matters most to them - and how to adapt your writing accordingly.

The techniques you’ll learn for getting your ideas down on paper quickly and clearly will save you time as a writer - and save your audience time as readers.

You’ll also learn how to craft sentences that are clear, concise and jargon-free - so you can communicate your expertise without losing your reader. And how to add warmth to your words so you forge a deeper connection with people everytime you write.

Finally, you’ll learn simple techniques for proofing and polishing your work - so you can weed out embarrassing errors that could undermine your credibility as a writer.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

Identify and adopt the features of a ‘professional’ style
Save time when writing anything - from day-to-day emails to persuasive pitches
Delight your audience - by saving them time when reading your work
Quickly identify what you want to say - and how to say it
Structure your writing for maximum impact
Present your ideas so readers can instantly home in on your most important points
Apply a proven formula for crafting pitches and proposals that persuade
Communicate your expertise clearly and compellingly
Rid your writing of confusing tech talk and off-putting corpspeak
Engage your readers by making your writing warmer and more human
Establish credibility by proofing and polishing your work effectively

Hands-on practice

The only way to improve your writing is to roll up your sleeves and get writing. That’s why I’ve designed Business Writing For Busy People to be a highly practical course.

Throughout the course, you’ll get opportunities to put theory into practice with exercises and assignments drawn from real-life examples of business writing.

You’ll also be encouraged to reflect on your own business writing. You’ll find the course particularly useful if you’ve got an existing writing sample you’d like to critique and improve on - or a crucial upcoming writing project to complete.

Course resources

Business Writing For Busy People gives you a wealth of resources for crafting clearer, punchier, more persuasive business documents, including:

links to free online tools for analysing and improving your writing
51-page downloadable course workbook featuring course exercises and assignments - including model answers - and summaries of the key points of each lecture
downloadable copy of instructor's e-book 'Catch Every Error: A Guide To Polishing Your Document Like A Pro - Complete With A Proofreading Checklist'
links to useful articles and other online sources to help you produce better business writing

Is Business Writing For Busy People the right course for you?

Business Writing For Busy People has been designed for time-pressed professionals who want to get maximum results from their writing - in minimum time.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive course that will take you from business writing beginner to the level of a copywriting pro, you might prefer to enrol in one of my other courses, Writing With Confidence.

Business Writing For Busy People covers some of the same ground as Writing With Confidence - albeit with all-new exercises.

However, Business Writing For Busy People focuses on just the most important writing techniques you need to get fast results.

Learn from an award-winning teacher and expert in business writing

I’m Dr Clare Lynch of Doris and Bertie, a London-based consultancy that works with anyone who needs to write as part of their job.

In my decades-long writing career, I’ve taught business writing skills to executives at global companies and international MBA students at the University of Cambridge.

So I know exactly what it takes to help professionals write well in the workplace. Especially if you’re a smart, educated graduate who is having to adapt from an academic style to a new way of writing.

As a Udemy instructor since March 2015, I’ve taught over 145,000 students how to communicate more effectively with the written word. What's more, in October 2019, Udemy bestowed their Student Success award on me for my dedication to my Udemy students.

As a writer myself, I understand the importance of grabbing your audience’s attention - and keeping things to the point. And, as you’ll discover, as an instructor, I practise what I preach. The words students use most often in reviews of my Udemy courses are ‘clear’, ‘concise’ and ‘engaging’.

My goal with Business Writing For Busy People is to show you the writing techniques that will win you similar plaudits for your work.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Work out what you want to say quickly and painlessly
Craft clear, concise, compelling business documents - from emails to reports
Grab and keep your readers' attention with powerful messages

Structure your writing for maximum impact
Achieve a professional tone of voice in your writing
Identify and eliminate tech talk and off-putting business jargon

Work out what you want to say quickly and painlessly
Craft clear, concise, compelling business documents - from emails to reports
Grab and keep your readers' attention with powerful messages
Structure your writing for maximum impact
Achieve a professional tone of voice in your writing
Identify and eliminate tech talk and off-putting business jargon

Syllabus

Know the best style to adopt to impress a professional readership. Understand the impact of different cultural attitudes to writing on style.

A quick overview of what to expect from Business Writing For Busy People.

To be seen as professional, it's important your business writing has the right tone of voice - this lecture shows you how to achieve that.

A vivid example of the difference tone of voice can make to a reader's impression of a piece of writing.

English not your first language? Working in a global organisation? This lecture will help you understand the different cultural attitudes about what constitutes 'good' writing.

A quick overview of what you've learned so far.

Why it's so important to identify your key message - and foreground it in any piece of business writing.

How to identify your key message by asking three essential questions before you start writing: Who? What? Why?

A simple formula for structuring your work when writing pitches, proposals and other persuasive pieces.

How readers read - and what to do about it.

A quick overview of what you've learned in this section on identifying and foregrounding your key message.

Win your reader over by leaving out the stuff that doesn't matter to them.

Tips for keeping your readers reading - by making your sentences short and simple.

How to make your writing clearer and more concise at the level of the phrase and the level of the word.

How to keep your reader with you - by pitching your writing at the right level.

A quick overview of what you've learned in this section on writing clearly and concisely.

Understand the difference between active and passive sentences - and why avoiding the passive can make you appear more trustworthy.

Know the little words that will help you establish a human connection with your reader.

Why using cliched corpspeak could be preventing you from standing out from your competitors.

Proofreading processes to maximise your chances of catching embarrassing errors.

How to speed up the writing process.

Here's how to get hold of your course certificate.

Got the writing bug and want to dig deeper into the topic? Check out our other courses.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers techniques for crafting effective business documents, which is essential for professionals aiming to improve their communication and make a strong impact in their respective fields

Provides access to online writing tools, which can help learners analyze and improve their writing, leading to more polished and professional communication

Includes a downloadable workbook with exercises and assignments, which allows learners to apply the concepts learned and develop practical writing skills through hands-on practice

Explores cultural factors that affect writing impact, which is valuable for those working in global teams or for whom English is not their first language, promoting effective cross-cultural communication

Teaches techniques for proofreading and polishing work, which helps learners eliminate errors and establish credibility as writers, enhancing their professional image

Recommends another course for learners seeking a more comprehensive study, which may indicate that this course focuses on foundational skills rather than advanced techniques

Reviews summary

Concise business writing for busy pros

According to learners, this course offers a clear and concise approach to improving business writing. Many students highlight the practical techniques and immediate applicability of the lessons, finding they can directly apply what they learn to their daily work, such as writing emails and reports. The course is particularly praised for being time-efficient, living up to its 'Busy People' title, and providing engaging and easy-to-understand instruction. While some note its focus is on core essentials, making it potentially less in-depth for advanced writers, the consensus is that it effectively delivers essential skills for busy professionals looking to enhance their communication.

Covers core skills, not advanced mastery.

"It's a great course for getting the fundamentals right."

"Focuses on key techniques essential for most business writing."

"May be too basic if you're already an advanced writer."

"Provides a solid foundation quickly."

Supplemental materials are very helpful.

"The downloadable workbook and resources were very useful."

"I found the links to online tools particularly helpful."

"The extra materials really enhanced the learning experience."

"Good supplementary content to reinforce the lessons."

Excellent teaching style and explanations.

"The instructor is very clear and makes the concepts easy to grasp."

"Loved the engaging way the material was presented."

"Clare is fantastic! Her teaching style keeps you hooked."

"Her explanations were simple, yet highly effective."

Perfect pace for busy schedules.

"Delivered exactly what was promised: short, sharp, and effective."

"Great for busy people who need to learn quickly."

"I appreciated how concise and to-the-point the lessons were."

"Finished quickly and got valuable knowledge without wasting time."

Immediately applicable techniques for work.

"The techniques taught are immediately applicable to my daily tasks."

"I learned practical strategies I could use straight away for emails and reports."

"Really helped improve my writing for business communications."

"Gave me concrete steps to make my work writing clearer."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Business Writing For Busy People with these activities:

Review Grammar Fundamentals

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of grammar rules to improve clarity and credibility in your business writing.

Show steps

Review basic grammar rules online.
Complete practice quizzes on grammar websites.
Identify common grammar errors in your past writing.

Read 'Everybody Writes' by Ann Handley

Show steps

Learn practical techniques for writing engaging and effective business content.

View Everybody Writes: Your New and Improved Go-To... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Everybody Writes'.
Read the book, taking notes on key concepts.
Apply the book's principles to your writing.

Rewrite Passive Sentences

Show steps

Improve your writing by actively rewriting passive sentences into active voice, making your writing more direct and engaging.

Show steps

Find examples of passive voice in your writing.
Rewrite each sentence in the active voice.
Compare the impact of both versions.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Write a Sample Business Email

Show steps

Practice writing a clear and concise business email to reinforce the course's principles of effective communication.

Show steps

Choose a common business email scenario.
Draft an email using the course's guidelines.
Revise the email for clarity and conciseness.

Read 'On Writing Well' by William Zinsser

Show steps

Refine your writing style by learning to write clearly and concisely.

View On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'On Writing Well'.
Read the book, highlighting key takeaways.
Apply Zinsser's principles to your writing projects.

Analyze and Revise a Past Report

Show steps

Apply the course's techniques to improve a previously written business report, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and impact.

Show steps

Select a business report you've written.
Analyze the report for areas of improvement.
Revise the report based on course principles.

Create a Style Guide for Your Team

Show steps

Develop a style guide to ensure consistent and professional writing across your team, reinforcing your understanding of business writing principles.

Show steps

Research existing style guides for inspiration.
Define your team's writing standards.
Document the style guide and share it with your team.

Career center

Learners who complete Business Writing For Busy People will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Content Marketer

A content marketer creates and distributes valuable and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience, ultimately driving profitable customer action. This course helps content marketers craft compelling narratives that resonate with their target audience. The techniques covered in "Business Writing For Busy People," such as structuring writing for maximum impact and presenting ideas effectively, directly translate to creating engaging blog posts, articles, and social media updates. With the ability to identify and adopt the features of a professional style, a content marketer can present a consistent brand voice across all platforms. It helps save time for both the writer and the reader.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Marketer

Communications Specialist

A communications specialist manages the flow of information within an organization and between the organization and the public. To excel as a communications specialist, this course is useful. The course directly addresses the need for clear, concise, and compelling communication, enabling you to craft effective internal memos, press releases, and website content. "Business Writing For Busy People" arms the communications specialist with techniques for saving time when writing and presenting ideas effectively, ensuring that key messages are easily understood and resonate with the intended audience. The focus on establishing a professional tone of voice can be very helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Specialist

Copywriter

A copywriter is responsible for creating engaging and persuasive content for advertising and marketing materials. This course helps those who seek a role as copywriter. The ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling copy that grabs the reader's attention is essential for success in this role, and this course provides specific techniques for achieving this end. The focus on making writing warmer and more human, in "Business Writing For Busy People," can enhance your ability to connect with your audience and drive conversions. The emphasis on how to structure writing for maximum impact would be most useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Grant Writer

Grant writers are responsible for researching, preparing, and submitting grant proposals to secure funding for various projects. This course helps grant writers craft persuasive and compelling narratives that capture the attention of grant reviewers. The ability to structure writing for maximum impact, a key takeaway from "Business Writing For Busy People," will be invaluable in highlighting the significance of your project and its potential impact. The course helps eliminate jargon and present ideas in a clear, concise manner, ensuring that your proposal is easily understood and favorably received. The focus on identifying and foregrounding your key message would be very useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Email Marketing Specialist

Email marketing specialists design and execute email campaigns to promote products or services. This course helps those who seek to become email marketing specialists. This requires the ability to craft engaging and persuasive email content that captures the reader's attention and drives conversions. "Business Writing For Busy People" emphasizes the importance of grabbing and keeping readers' attention with powerful messages. It also teaches how to structure your writing for maximum impact and present your ideas so readers can instantly home in on your most important points, all of which are critical for effective email marketing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Email Marketing Specialist

Web Content Manager

Web content managers are responsible for planning, creating, and managing content for websites. The ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling web content that attracts and engages visitors is essential for success in this role, and this course will help you hone those skills. "Business Writing For Busy People" emphasizes the importance of grabbing and keeping readers' attention with powerful messages. It also teaches how to structure writing for maximum impact and present ideas so readers can instantly home in on your most important points, which are critical for effective web content management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Content Manager

Public Relations Specialist

A public relations specialist manages an organization's reputation and builds relationships with the public. This course helps those who seek a role as a public relations specialist. The ability to craft compelling press releases, website copy, and social media content is essential for success in this role, and this course provides specific techniques for achieving this. "Business Writing For Busy People" emphasizes the importance of grabbing and keeping readers' attention with powerful messages, directly addressing the needs of public relations professionals. The focus on engaging readers by making writing warmer and more human can also enhance your ability to connect with the public and build trust.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

Journalist

Journalists investigate and report on current events, writing articles for newspapers, magazines, or online publications. The ability to write clear, concise, and compelling articles that inform and engage readers is essential for success as a journalist, and this course helps hone those skills. "Business Writing For Busy People" emphasizes the importance of grabbing and keeping readers' attention with powerful messages. It also teaches how to structure your writing for maximum impact and present your ideas so readers can instantly home in on your most important points, which are all vital for effective journalism.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Speech Writer

Speech writers craft speeches for executives, politicians, and other public figures. This course can help a speech writer craft clear, concise, and impactful speeches that resonate with the audience. "Business Writing For Busy People" emphasizes the importance of identifying your key message and structuring your writing for maximum impact. It also focuses on how to engage your audience by making your writing warmer and more human, which are all essential for effective speech writing. This course also teaches how to create a professional tone of voice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speech Writer

Blogger

A blogger creates and publishes content on a blog, typically focusing on a specific topic or niche. This course helps a blogger who wants to learn how to craft clear, concise, and engaging blog posts that attract and retain readers. "Business Writing For Busy People" teaches how to grab and keep readers' attention with powerful messages. It also teaches how to structure your writing for maximum impact and present your ideas so readers can instantly home in on your most important points.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blogger

Social Media Manager

Social media managers oversee an organization's social media presence, creating and curating content to engage followers and build brand awareness. Social media managers who wish to hone their skills may find this course useful. The ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling social media posts that capture attention and drive engagement is essential for success in this role. "Business Writing For Busy People" helps identify and highlight your key message. This helps structure your writing for maximum impact and present your ideas so readers can instantly home in on your most important points.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Technical Writer

Technical writers create user manuals, guides, and other documentation that explain complex technical information in a clear and concise manner. This course may be useful, as technical writing demands clarity, precision, and the ability to convey complex information simply. "Business Writing For Busy People" stresses the importance of trimming the fat and boosting readability, directly addressing the needs of technical writers. The ability to eliminate technical jargon and present information in a user-friendly way helps technical writers create effective and accessible documentation. The focus on structuring writing for maximum impact is also critical, ensuring that users can quickly find the information they need.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Editor

Editors review and revise written material to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency. Those who seek to be an editor may find this course useful. The skills taught in "Business Writing For Busy People" align perfectly with the responsibilities of an editor. The course emphasizes the importance of adopting a professional style, identifying and eliminating jargon, and proofreading effectively, all of which are essential for ensuring the quality and clarity of written content. The focus on structuring writing for maximum impact also helps editors assess the overall effectiveness of a piece and suggest improvements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Proposal Writer

Proposal writers are responsible for creating persuasive proposals to win new business or secure funding. As a proposal writer, this course may be useful for the creation of clear, concise, and compelling proposals. "Business Writing For Busy People" focuses on how to apply a proven formula for crafting pitches and proposals that persuade, directly addressing the needs of proposal writers. The ability to structure writing for maximum impact and present ideas so readers can instantly home in on the most important points are also critical skills for success. The course teaches how to identify and foreground your key message.

See salaries and explore the career path for Proposal Writer

Librarian

Librarians assist people in finding information and resources. While it may seem surprising, clear communication is paramount to guiding patrons effectively, especially in explaining complex research processes or database navigation. This course may be useful to a librarian, as the ability to write clear, concise guides, instructions, and informational materials enhances the user experience. The course teaches how to structure writing for maximum impact and eliminate jargon, making complex information accessible to all. This creates a more welcoming environment for library users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Business Writing For Busy People

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Concise business writing for busy pros

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses