8 timeless writing tips from David Ogilvy
Guidance from the ‘Father of Advertising,’ first offered in the 1980s, still holds—especially those points about brevity and emphasizing a call to action.
Writing is a big part of increasing your company’s visibility.
From website copy and e-newsletters to blog posts and social media updates, your business depends on your ability to write well.
David Ogilvy (known as “The Father of Advertising”) penned a memo, “How to Write,” in 1982; it’s still a goldmine of advice. Here are eight of his writing tips:
1. “Write the way you talk. Naturally.”
Every business has a voice; yours should be a natural reflection of your brand. Every word you write—whether on your website or in a Facebook update—should reflect it.
2. “Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.”
Make everything you write easy to digest quickly. No one likes reading a wall of lengthy text; a lot of writing fails due to overly wordy text. If you have a big chunk of information you want to share, consider ways to make it easier to for your readers:
3. “Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of pretense.”
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