Write For Results Online Sample

Write For Results Online

Thanks for responding!

Here’s your free sample of my Write for Results Online writing skills programme, Module 1, ‘We’-ing all over your Reader:

Module 1:

We-ing all over your Reader

VIDEO LESSON

PREFER TO READ? CLICK HERE

And here’s the exercise attached to Module 1 (each module comes with its own exercise), to help you understand if your writing is writer-centric or reader-centric:

EXERCISE:

Are you writer-centric or reader-centric?

➀

Pick a recent document where you were trying to influence someone or persuade them to do something.

(This exercise doesn’t work for merely informative documents that tell the reader what you plan to do or have done — in which case you will inevitably use the words I, we, us or our a lot.)

➁

Count the number of times you used the words I, we, us and/or the name of your organisation, team or department.

Write down the number.

➂

Count the number of times you used the words you, your, and/or the name of the reader's organization, team or department.

Write down the number.

➃

Now compare the two numbers. What’s the ratio?

If the total in #2 is bigger than the total in #3, your document is writer-centric. If it’s the other way round, it’s reader- centric ― which is the way to be!

EXERCISE:

Are you writer-centric

or reader-centric?

➀

Pick a recent document where you were trying to influence someone or persuade them to do something.

(This exercise doesn’t work for merely informative documents that tell the reader what you plan to do or have done — in which case you will inevitably use the words I, we, us or our a lot.)

➁

Count the number of times you used the words I, we, us and/or the name of your organisation, team or department.

Write down the number.

➂

Count the number of times you used the words I, we, us and/or the name of your organisation, team or department.

Write down the number.

➃

Now compare the two numbers. What’s the ratio?

If the total in #2 is bigger than the total in #3, your document is writer-centric. If it’s the other way round, it’s reader- centric ― which is the way to be!

EXERCISE:

Are you writer-centric or reader-centric?

➀

Pick a recent document where you were trying to influence someone or persuade them to do something.

(This exercise doesn’t work for merely informative documents that tell the reader what you plan to do or have done — in which case you will inevitably use the words I, we, us or our a lot.)

➁

Count the number of times you used the words I, we, us and/or the name of your organisation, team or department.

Write down the number.

➂

Count the number of times you used the words I, we, us and/or the name of your organisation, team or department.

Write down the number.

➃

Now compare the two numbers. What’s the ratio?

If the total in #2 is bigger than the total in #3, your document is writer-centric. If it’s the other way round, it’s reader- centric ― which is the way to be!

What do you think?

What did you learn from the video?

And what was the verdict from the exercise: are you writer-centric or reader-centric?

‘We’-ing all over your reader is such a common barrier to changing their behaviour.

Over the past 16 years, after training over 5,000 clients, I’ve realized that whatever the industry and wherever in the world I work, the same writing issues crop up time and again.

So I've decided to nail them all in one go, and name them to shame them — The Nasty Nine.

Nailing The Nasty Nine will take your writing from good to great, from ordinary to outstanding.

Take a look at the other eight. Do any particularly resonate with you?

The Nasty Nine

Overview of the other eight

Poor or Non-existing Planning

Planning is the most neglected part of the writing process. People pay lip-service to the idea, but most do it badly, if at all. This module looks at the impact of not planning (also known as ‘premature drafting’), the three main reasons to plan, and how much time to spend doing it.

Vague Message or Objective

Vital to effective planning is the ability to nail your main message and objective (the purpose of your communication). This module looks at how to use logic and emotion to drive clarity and impact into your writing. What that means for your reader is frictionless reading and fast engagement.

Poor Structure

Structure is more important than language. No matter how beautifully you write, if your document is ill-structured, unnavigable and poorly signposted, you’ll lose your reader. This module covers the most common structural mistakes and how to correct them, at a whole document-, paragraph- and sentence-level.

Needlessly Formal Language

The biggest myth of ‘professional’ writing is that it must be formal. But nothing kills personality and reader engagement faster than formal language. This module looks at the science behind this issue, and the single writing technique that corrects it. Your writing will never be the same.

Waffle, Wordiness and Wind

Ah, the triplet trolls running amok in most non-fiction! This module is all about conciseness — the Holy Grail of professional drafting — and looks at five ways to achieve it. What that means for you is that every word counts. Your writing will be tight, taut and powerful.

Long Sentences

Long sentences are a death-sentence to good writing. They make your reader work hard to get your message. The solution is ‘FANBOYS’ (For And Nor But Or Yet So). This module shows you how to use these conjunctions to shorten your Average Sentence Length (ASL) and make your reader fall in love with you all over again.

Passivitis

Over-use of the passive voice. Scott calls this ‘the carbon monoxide of your writing’; it’s a killer. This module shows you why, and how to write in the active voice (the clue’s in the name). Don’t worry if it sounds grammatically complicated: The Writing Guy explains everything clearly, with examples.

Nounitis

A common ailment in professional writing, nounitis is the over-use of nouns, especially abstract ones. The cure is alarmingly simple and easy. As a result, your writing will be both briefer and more vigorous.

I'M READY TO TACKLE THE NASTY NINE

Let me check out Scott's free writing critique first.

The Nasty Nine

Overview of the other eight

Poor or Non-existing Planning

Planning is the most neglected part of the writing process. People pay lip-service to the idea, but most do it badly, if at all. This module looks at the impact of not planning (also known as ‘premature drafting’), the three main reasons to plan, and how much time to spend doing it.

Vague Message or Objective

Vital to effective planning is the ability to nail your main message and objective (the purpose of your communication). This module looks at how to use logic and emotion to drive clarity and impact into your writing. What that means for your reader is frictionless reading and fast engagement.

Poor Structure

Structure is more important than language. No matter how beautifully you write, if your document is ill-structured, unnavigable and poorly signposted, you’ll lose your reader. This module covers the most common structural mistakes and how to correct them, at a whole document-, paragraph- and sentence-level.

Needlessly Formal Language

The biggest myth of ‘professional’ writing is that it must be formal. But nothing kills personality and reader engagement faster than formal language. This module looks at the science behind this issue, and the single writing technique that corrects it. Your writing will never be the same.

Waffle, Wordiness and Wind

Ah, the triplet trolls running amok in most non-fiction! This module is all about conciseness — the Holy Grail of professional drafting — and looks at five ways to achieve it. What that means for you is that every word counts. Your writing will be tight, taut and powerful.

Long Sentences

Long sentences are a death-sentence to good writing. They make your reader work hard to get your message. The solution is ‘FANBOYS’ (For And Nor But Or Yet So). This module shows you how to use these conjunctions to shorten your Average Sentence Length (ASL) and make your reader fall in love with you all over again.

Passivitis

Over-use of the passive voice. Scott calls this ‘the carbon monoxide of your writing’; it’s a killer. This module shows you why, and how to write in the active voice (the clue’s in the name). Don’t worry if it sounds grammatically complicated: The Writing Guy explains everything clearly, with examples.

Nounitis

A common ailment in professional writing, nounitis is the over-use of nouns, especially abstract ones. The cure is alarmingly simple and easy. As a result, your writing will be both briefer and more vigorous.

YES, I'M NOW READY TO TACKLE THE NASTY NINE

Let me check out Scott's free writing critique first.

The Nasty Nine

Overview of the other eight

Poor or Non-existing Planning

Planning is the most neglected part of the writing process. People pay lip-service to the idea, but most do it badly, if at all. This module looks at the impact of not planning (also known as ‘premature drafting’), the three main reasons to plan, and how much time to spend doing it.

Vague Message or Objective

Vital to effective planning is the ability to nail your main message and objective (the purpose of your communication). This module looks at how to use logic and emotion to drive clarity and impact into your writing. What that means for your reader is frictionless reading and fast engagement.

Poor Structure

Structure is more important than language. No matter how beautifully you write, if your document is ill-structured, unnavigable and poorly signposted, you’ll lose your reader. This module covers the most common structural mistakes and how to correct them, at a whole document-, paragraph- and sentence-level.

Needlessly Formal Language

The biggest myth of ‘professional’ writing is that it must be formal. But nothing kills personality and reader engagement faster than formal language. This module looks at the science behind this issue, and the single writing technique that corrects it. Your writing will never be the same.

Waffle, Wordiness and Wind

Ah, the triplet trolls running amok in most non-fiction! This module is all about conciseness — the Holy Grail of professional drafting — and looks at five ways to achieve it. What that means for you is that every word counts. Your writing will be tight, taut and powerful.

Long Sentences

Long sentences are a death-sentence to good writing. They make your reader work hard to get your message. The solution is ‘FANBOYS’ (For And Nor But Or Yet So). This module shows you how to use these conjunctions to shorten your Average Sentence Length (ASL) and make your reader fall in love with you all over again.

Passivitis

Over-use of the passive voice. Scott calls this ‘the carbon monoxide of your writing’; it’s a killer. This module shows you why, and how to write in the active voice (the clue’s in the name). Don’t worry if it sounds grammatically complicated: The Writing Guy explains everything clearly, with examples.

Nounitis

A common ailment in professional writing, nounitis is the over-use of nouns, especially abstract ones. The cure is alarmingly simple and easy. As a result, your writing will be both briefer and more vigorous.

YES, I'M NOW READY TO TACKLE THE NASTY NINE

Let me check out Scott's free writing critique first.

Nail ‘The Nasty Nine’ and you’ll be in a small minority of Ninja writers, approaching mastery.

You know, thanks to the amazing communications technologies at our finger-tips, more words have been written in the last ten years than in the previous 1,000. Like it or not, we’re all writers now. Yet many struggle to write well.

And what trips them up more often than not? You guessed it:

The Nasty Nine.

Let me ask you...

What’s it COSTING you — personally and professionally — not to nail the nine most common writing issues?

What are the consequences of your writing staying stuck and not progressing?

Career stalled?
Less attractive to the market?
Anxiety whenever you have to write something important?
Major bids, tenders, pitches or proposals lost?
Discomfort when writing under pressure?
Low self-esteem? (many people link their writing to their intelligence and level of education, even their identity)
Time and energy wasted (due to false starts and re-writes)?

You know, I call writing a ‘switch’ skill: mastering it turns everything else ON.

Let me ask you...

What’s it COSTING you — personally and professionally — not to nail the nine most common writing issues?

What are the consequences of your writing staying stuck and not progressing?

Career stalled?
Less attractive to the market?
Anxiety whenever you have to write something important?
Major bids, tenders, pitches or proposals lost?
Discomfort when writing under pressure?
Low self-esteem? (many people link their writing to their intelligence and level of education, even their identity)
Time and energy wasted (due to false starts and re-writes)?

You know, I call writing a ‘switch’ skill: mastering it turns everything else ON.

How would your writing benefit from nailing The Nasty Nine?

Maybe you’re struggling with a client report or analysis, an important email, or a ‘must-win’ bid, tender or proposal; you may even be writing a book to share your ideas with the world.

What would the impact be on any of those of being able to:

Write clearly and concisely
Connect with and engage your reader
Write with persuasion, personality and power
Write anything with confidence, certainty and conviction
Make more money from the written word
Craft documents that are distinctive, compelling and engaging
Structure your writing for maximum impact
Plan efficiently, to save time in the long run
Define your purpose with speed and ease

How would your writing benefit from nailing The Nasty Nine?

Maybe you’re struggling with a client report or analysis, an important email, or a ‘must-win’ bid, tender or proposal; you may even be writing a book to share your ideas with the world.

What would the impact be on any of those of being able to:

Write clearly and concisely?
Connect with and engage your reader?
Write with persuasion, personality and power?
Write anything with confidence, certainty and conviction?
Make more money from the written word?
Craft documents that are distinctive, compelling and engaging?
Structure your writing for maximum impact?
Plan efficiently, to save time in the long run?
Define your purpose with speed and ease?

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

Accidental Writers^TM

You're not a professional copywriter, nor have you been formally trained to write. You’re clever (is my flattery working yet?!) and you perform technically complex work — think lawyer, accountant, engineer, architect, consultant — but you spend more of your working day writing than you expected to when you joined the profession. If so, you’re probably an Accidental Writer^TM.

Nailing the Nine will help turn you into an Intentional Writer^TM, engage your reader and give you a great ROI on the written word.

Non-native English Speakers

You may also be a non-native English speaker in an organisation. Your working language is English, but your written words may not sound like a native. You may be falling victim to some or all of The Nasty Nine. This programme will help you sound like a native English writer, boost your confidence and raise your standing in the organisation.

Students

Whether you’re writing an essay, dissertation or special project, a personal statement for university application, a covering letter and dusting off your CV, or applying to business school or further college, you’ll benefit from nailing The Nasty Nine. (Your tutor will be thrilled.)

YES, I'M NOW READY TO TACKLE THE NASTY NINE

Let me check out Scott's free writing critique first.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

Accidental Writers^TM

You're not a professional copywriter, nor have you been formally trained to write. You’re clever and you perform technically complex work — you may be a lawyer, accountant, engineer, architect, consultant — but you spend more of your working day writing than you expected to when you joined the profession. If so, you’re probably an Accidental Writer^TM

Nailing the Nine will help turn you into an Intentional Writer^TM, engage your reader and give you a great ROI on the written word.

Non-native English Speakers

You may also be a non-native English speaker. Your working language is English, but your written words may not sound like a native. You may be falling victim to some or all of The Nasty Nine. This programme will help you sound like a native English writer, boost your confidence and raise your standing in your organisation.

Students

Whether you’re writing an essay, dissertation or special project, a personal statement for university application, a covering letter and dusting off your CV, or applying to business school or further college, you’ll benefit from nailing The Nasty Nine. (Your tutor will be thrilled.)

YES, I'M NOW READY TO TACKLE THE NASTY NINE

Let me check out Scott's free writing critique first.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

Accidental Writers^TM

You're not a professional copywriter, nor have you been formally trained to write. You’re clever (is my flattery working yet?!) and you perform technically complex work — think lawyer, accountant, engineer, architect, consultant — but you spend more of your working day writing than you expected to when you joined the profession. If so, you’re probably an Accidental Writer^TM.

Nailing the Nine will help turn you into an Intentional Writer^TM, engage your reader and give you a great ROI on the written word.

Non-native English Speakers

You may also be a non-native English speaker in an organisation. Your working language is English, but your written words may not sound like a native. You may be falling victim to some or all of The Nasty Nine. This programme will help you sound like a native English writer, boost your confidence and raise your standing in the organisation.

Students

Whether you’re writing an essay, dissertation or special project, a personal statement for university application, a covering letter and dusting off your CV, or applying to business school or further college, you’ll benefit from nailing The Nasty Nine. (Your tutor will be thrilled.)

I'M READY TO TACKLE THE NASTY NINE

Let me check out Scott's free writing critique first.

SOME OF OUR CLIENTS

You clearly already know how to write.

So what gives me the right to help you get even better at it?

You clearly already know how to write.

So what gives me the right to help you get even better at it?

ABOUT SCOTT

For a number of years now I’ve called myself The Writing GuyTM, because anything to do with the written word is meat and drink to me; it’s what I live for. My mission is to help people get the results they want from the written word and to fall (back) in love with written English.

I’m the CEO and co-founder of Write for Results, an established writing consultancy based in London. We help professionals — eg lawyers, accountants, engineers, consultants — engage their clients and prospects through the written word and write with personality, persuasion and power.

I’ve helped one of the Big Four accountancy firms double its tender win-rate, and recently helped another client explode its win-rate from 14% to 70%, after working with its board for just two days.

In the last 15 years, I’ve travelled the world training over 5000 professionals in persuasive, empathic writing, including staff of The Economist Group and three international law firms.

A couple of years ago, I realised that most people were struggling with the same writing issues. Whatever the industry and wherever in the world I worked, there they were again. And again. The Nasty Nine.

Nail The Nine and you‘re on your way to becoming a much better writer. My wish for you is simple: invest in yourself with this programme and see your writing — and results — transformed.

The guiding principle of my work is that the ability to write well is neither an innate gift nor a Ninja-style black art, but a learnable skill. This programme — and my second book, rhetorica ® — a toolkit of 21 everyday writing techniques — is my contribution to humanising business/corporate communications. When we write Human, we make an authentic connection with our reader or client, and we get results. As my good friend, Penny Power OBE, says: ‘Business is personal’.

Talking of personal, I live in London and am married, with three grown-up children (one of whom features in this pic of us celebrating this programme going live — finally!).

I'M READY TO TACKLE THE NASTY NINE

Let me check out Scott's free writing critique first.

ABOUT SCOTT

For a number of years now I’ve called myself 'The Writing Guy', because anything to do with the written word is meat and drink to me; it’s what I live for. My mission is to help people get the results they want from the written word and to fall (back) in love with written English.

I’m the CEO and co-founder of Write for Results, an established writing consultancy based in London. We help professionals — eg lawyers, accountants, engineers, consultants — engage their clients and prospects through the written word and write with personality, persuasion and power.

I’ve helped one of the Big Four accountancy firms double its tender win-rate, and recently helped another client explode its win-rate from 14% to 70%, after working with its board for just two days.

In the last 16 years, I’ve travelled the world training over 5000 professionals in persuasive, empathic writing, including staff of The Economist Group and three international law firms.

A couple of years ago, I realised that most people were struggling with the same writing issues. Whatever the industry and wherever in the world I worked, there they were again. And again. The Nasty Nine.

Nail The Nine and you‘re on your way to becoming a much better writer. My wish for you is simple: invest in yourself with this programme and see your writing — and results — transformed.

The guiding principle of my work is that the ability to write well is neither an innate gift nor a Ninja-style black art, but a learnable skill. This programme — and my second book, rhetorica® — a toolkit of 21 everyday writing techniques — is my contribution to humanising business/corporate communications. When we write Human, we make an authentic connection with our reader or client, and we get results. As my good friend, Penny Power OBE, says: ‘Business is personal’.

Talking of personal, I live in London and am married, with three grown-up children (one of whom features in this pic of us celebrating this programme going live — finally!).