Business Writing Tips | Proof Communications

Our latest articles

Blog was last modified on July 2nd, 2016 by Proof Communications Team

Share this ...

The three essentials for writing tenders and proposals

November 2, 2017

B2B documents, How to win business, Tender writing tips, Uncategorised, Writing tips

If you have responsibility for writing your company’s tenders and proposals, then you’ll know that the process includes having conversations with the prospective client well in advance of the Request for Tender (RFT) or Request or Proposal (RFP) being issued. While attending sales meetings may not be part of your role, the information your sales person or team uncovers at meetings with your prospective clients is fundamental for the value proposition and content in your tender or proposal response. You…

The three essentials for writing tenders and proposals was last modified on August 28th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

Tell me a story: how to colour your business writing

October 24, 2017

B2B documents, Writing tips

What is good story book without pictures? What would Winnie the Pooh be without EH Shepherd, Alice in Wonderland without Tenniel? These classic children’s book illustrators visually interpreted those stories in a way that has made an indelible mark on how they have been read and understood by generations of children. We don’t generally get the paint box out when we are writing business communications, but bringing a bit of colour to your pieces can really improve your reader’s engagement…

Tell me a story: how to colour your business writing was last modified on October 24th, 2017 by Proof Communications Author

How a simple comma could cost you business

October 17, 2017

B2B documents, copywriting, Grammar tips, Proofreading tips, Typos, Writing tips

A misplaced comma can come at an almighty cost. Just ask Oakhurst Dairy in Maine, USA. They’ve recently been embroiled in a landmark court case over their interpretation of a law which excludes overtime pay for companies involved in the ‘…drying, marketing, storing, packing for shipment or distribution of’ certain products. One side argued that ‘packing for shipment or distribution’ was one activity; the other side claimed it was two. And with around $10M at stake if three employees suing…

How a simple comma could cost you business was last modified on August 28th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

11 writing mistakes anyone can make

September 13, 2017

B2B documents, Grammar tips, Typos, Writing tips

Affect vs. Effect ‘Affect’ is a verb that means ‘cause a change in’ or ‘influence’. ‘Effect’ is mostly used as a noun, although when we write in a formal style we occasionally use it as a verb meaning ‘to carry out’ or ‘cause to happen’. She was greatly affected by the latest news. Smoking will affect your health. Take care of your personal effects. The sound effects are amazing. The lawyer effected a great result. Me, Myself, I While…

11 writing mistakes anyone can make was last modified on September 13th, 2017 by Proof Communications Author

Five ways to make your document free of typos

September 7, 2017

B2B documents, Editing, Grammar tips, Proofreading tips, Punctuation, Typos, Writing tips

Editing and proofreading your own work is tough. We’re too close to it to proofread it perfectly. A fresh pair of eyes is the answer. If you don’t have anybody to help you, then rest between the time you write and the time you proofread—at least overnight. By doing this, you’ll gain some distance from your writing and you’ll have your own fresh pair of eyes with which to view your content. When you’re ready, here’s how to do it.…

Five ways to make your document free of typos was last modified on August 28th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

How To Lose a Dress Size By Putting Pen to Paper

August 29, 2017

B2B documents, Editing, How to win business, Writing tips

Check out any online newspaper these days and you’re almost guaranteed to find another celebrity has felt compelled to post a photo which shows them doing something really interesting. Like breathing. Cries of ‘Photoshop!’ follow quicker than you can say Kardashian. But, so what if they’ve indulged in a little image trickery? Editing is nothing new, but the trick is to make it look natural. Business owners sometimes feel compelled to share most in-depth details of their impressive selection of…

How To Lose a Dress Size By Putting Pen to Paper was last modified on August 29th, 2017 by Proof Communications Author

How to edit your content and keep your customers

August 23, 2017

B2B documents, copywriting, How to win business, Writing tips

How much information is too much information? Are our efforts to retain customers working or are they actually turning them away? And if they are, how did we get it so wrong? Our big mistake, according to a survey of over 7000 consumers published in the Harvard Business Review, is in thinking that the more we communicate with our customers the more likely they are to be loyal. However, far from making them stay, engaging with them too often has…

How to edit your content and keep your customers was last modified on August 28th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

Have you ever made these embarrassing grammar or spelling mistakes?

August 14, 2017

Grammar tips, Proofreading tips, Punctuation, Typos, Writing tips

During a recent radio interview a prominent Sydney barrister was several times heard to use the phrase ‘it was more better’, highlighting that even the most seemingly educated of people aren’t immune from make embarrassing grammatical or spelling mistakes. Here are some common ones to avoid. I could care less Really? Then feel free to do so until you can’t any more, at which point you can then use the correct expression – ‘I couldn’t care less’. It’s a far…

Have you ever made these embarrassing grammar or spelling mistakes? was last modified on August 28th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

Do you make these common English mistakes?

August 8, 2017

Grammar tips, Proofreading tips, Punctuation, Typos, Writing tips

When you’re typing or texting at speed, it’s easy to spell a word incorrectly. But mistakes can completely change the context of your message and often make you sound just plain silly. Make sure you sound like you know what you’re talking about by using these words correctly. Compliment/complement When two words sound identical, it can make it difficult to know which the right one to use is. A ‘compliment’ is an expression of admiration such as, ‘You look just…

Do you make these common English mistakes? was last modified on August 14th, 2017 by Proof Communications Author

Is poor spelling ruining your love life?

August 3, 2017

copywriting, Proofreading tips, Punctuation, Typos, Uncategorised, Writing tips

When it comes to finding a partner, some prefer to meet someone the old fashioned way. Through alcohol and poor judgement. For others, online dating sites are the way to go. But it turns out there are things way more unacceptable to potential mates than spurious claims of having actually enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love, declaring you’re a “glass half-full kinda guy” or employing the excessive use of LOL. And one of the biggest deal breakers of all? Poor spelling and…

Is poor spelling ruining your love life? was last modified on August 3rd, 2017 by Proof Communications Author