Clear vs. Casual
One of my clients told me this morning that he believed business writing “in this day and age should be casual instead of formal.”
This is a common belief, but it is incorrect. Business writing should be clear, not casual. Tone will vary, and should match the reader and purpose of the document.
When writing to a client for the first time, both your tone and format should be appropriately formal. Greet them as “Dear Camille:” instead of “Hey Camille.”
Writing to a close colleague requires less formal tone, but still needs to be correct and clearly express what you want your colleague to do or know:
Hi Jason,
Karen is upset the drafts will not be complete by our 2pm meeting with her, because her client signoff meeting is 9am tomorrow.
instead of
Hi Jason,
Karen is ripped the drafts won’t be ready. Client sign off is tomorrow.
Avoid cliches always, not just in this day and age.
