Helpful article on effective writing

(This is one I think I will take to heart this year!)

This article can be a great help to people who put together their community's newsletters or website articles, and it definitely can be useful to HOA secretaries who have to write board meeting minutes! Enjoy - and note the first comment at the end of the article!

https://www.thoughtleadersllc.com/2024/12/reasons-no-one-reads-anything-you-write/

Cathy and Sheila, Thank you both for summarizing the essentials of good communication. It's easy to slip into "habits" and forget what works.

The article that Sheila shares is targeted toward business writing. In general, audience determines style.

The development of the internet has led to more visual styles of communication.

I've noticed that since I've spent so much time dealing with business writing, I have much less patience with literary style writing.

When I write up things for my fellow board members, I tell them that they can get the gist of it by reading the stuff in blue (headers and bullet points). The text in black provides details and nuance, both of which are needed by board members but can overwhelm the inexperienced.

Our community newsletters are web style even though they won't be on the web. Much white space, headers and bullet points, use of graphics to replace text when possible. Only as many details as needed, and no nuance since an HOA newsletter isn't the place for it.