How to Write Effective Business English: Excel at E-mail, Social Media and All Your Professional Communications

by Fiona Talbot

How to Write Effective Business English gives guidance to both native and non-native English speakers on how to express yourself clearly and concisely. With case studies and real-life examples that demonstrate how English is used internationally in business, and full of ideas to help you get your communications right first time, this book sets the scene for describing the benefits of good Business English, ideal for multinational companies where communication is a priority. For native English speakers, it may mean un-learning things you were taught at school and learning how to save time by getting to the point more quickly in emails; for elementary to immediate English speakers, it focuses on the areas that are easy to get wrong. How to Write Effective Business English uses real-life international business scenarios to develop your skills and provide you with some answers that even your boss might not know. You will learn a system to help you quickly and easily write emails, letters, CVs and more. Featuring sections on punctuation and grammar, checklists to help assess progress and now with a new chapter on how to write effectively for social media, How to Write Effective Business English has been praised by both native and non-native writers of English as an indispensable resource.

Genres: Writing, Business

168 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2016

Reviews

[Paiman Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very relevant. Especially for non native English speakers.

[kasiowa kasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers the very very basics

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Business writing, personal communications, and writing for publication are completely different animals. This short work deals with the art of writing in various in support of commercial aims. It covers normal correspondence as well as social media. The rules of English are explained and reinforced. This is a good reference even for non-business uses. This was a free review copy obtained through Goodreads.com.

[roxi Net · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a proposal writer, I'm always trying to 'hone my craft' (writing doesn't come naturally to me) and I really appreciated reading this book. It refreshed previous knowledge that I tucked away and also made me cringe to realize some pitfalls I fall in (I'm a one-word email person sometimes, thinking I'm being efficient). The information is easily digestible and I was able to concretely note down what to focus on in my overall writing approach (especially via email communication). It's also helped me in terms of future planning; how to write for a new boss/job/staff, etc. We don't have a multinational team in place, however Ms. Talbot made me realize the importance of of how to write for a multinational audience. Reading that 'complacency drains the lifeblood of any organization' was a swift reminder that just because I'm a native English writer (though bilingual), it doesn't mean I shouldn't continue evaluating my writing style and/or asking for feedback. Having the 'checklist for actions' is also helpful to distill what I need to focus on.

[Nattapan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read.

[Shereen Adel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm used to getting bored of these kinds of books, but this is so interesting and useful.

[Darren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a native English speaker or a foreigner with English as a second language, there is no shame in wanting to check your English language skills. There is always scope to improve how you communicate, especially when you are using it for business purposes. A book like this may help!

The method in which you communicate can vary. Sometimes you need a powerful, concise message written in an upbeat, positive tone. Another time you may need a detailed, nuanced and precise nuanced tone. Far too many schools teach, if you are lucky, a middle ground that focusses on the technical aspects of writing, yet they invariably fail to teach the art of writing and skill in selecting the right writing “tool” for the job.

One feature that positively stood out in this book and deserves special praise is the use of case studies that briefly focus on an element of writing and communication and help bring a particular element or point in focus. The case studies could be worth the price of this book alone, especially if you believe your language is in tip-top condition. Although it is a brave or foolish person who would definitively state their language might not benefit from a bit more polish… People in glass houses should not throw stones!

The book is full of handy, useful writing tips for everyday business and features many aide memoires for those who should know the subject yet inexcusably manage to forget bits of it from time to time. It can offer something for everyone, so there is no excuse not to at least look at it and see if you can improve upon anything.

[Gio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Business writing must be professional, but that doesn't mean boring. This short book gives you plenty of tips on how you can get your message across in an engaging yet competent way that's gonna make your audience want to buy what you sell. The book covers all aspects of business writing, from normal correspondence to social media, ensuring you stay on brand and captivating in any interaction with your customers. There are also sections that clarify common English spelling and grammar mistakes, which is particularly useful for non-native English speakers. If you are, you'll still learn how to effectively communicate with audiences in different countries without inadvertently offending them or getting your message misinterpreted. All in all, it's very helpful.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I got this book for free via Netgalley for my honest feedback)

Quite comprehensive, and it brought up some really good points about international communications. If the info in "Booher's Rules of Business Grammar" could be included in this, it'd be the ideal reference.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was interesting enough, but there wasn't much that was useful to me. It was overwhelmingly about the problems of communicating with non-native English speakers and the differences between U.K. and American English.