Scott Keyser: Writing to connect

Lancefield on the Line

How good is your writing at work? It's rather important. Think about your bids, pitches, presentations, Executive or Board papers, investment cases and, of course, emails. Too often writing is dry, technocratic, and overly complex. It makes it hard for the reader to understand in one go, or at all. It limits your ability to convince them of your thinking, and tarnishes your brand.

In this podcast, Scott Keyser, the 'Writing Guy', shares his tips and lessons from working with companies over the last 30 years. He shows that it is a learnable skill for everyone If we start with the right mindset.

You'll hear about:

• how to write with clarity and conciseness.
• achieving brevity without being brief.
• how to create space for flamboyance.
• why writing well doesn't mean dumbing down.
• the importance of preparation and planning.
• mistakes to avoid.
• who and what inspires him.

About Scott:
Scott Keyser is the "Writing Guy". He is the author of two books 'Winner Takes All: sevenand- a-half principles for winning more bids, tenders, and proposals' and 'rhetorica', which set out his writing system. He works with clients from professional services firms to start-ups to corporates (such as the Economist) to improve the way their write - to engage your market, convince your boss, win over buyers, investors, staff or suppliers.

Resources:

• Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottkeyser1/
• Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Winner-Takes-All-Seven-half/dp/1907794506 and https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhetorica-toolkit-everyday-writing-techniques-ebook/dp/B01MFDZ1QK/

My resources:

Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).

Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.
If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:

• Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.
• Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).
• Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).
• Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

Chapter

1. Scott Keyser: Writing to connect (00:00:00)

2. Features of great writing (00:03:04)

3. Dumbing down (00:05:19)

4. Brevity AND style (00:07:09)

5. Mindset (00:10:27)

6. Causes (00:12:51)

7. First steps (00:15:21)

8. Best example (00:19:49)

9. Impact of hybrid (00:22:50)

10. Personal story (00:24:55)

11. Areas for improvement (00:27:21)

12. Inspiration (00:29:22)

13. Impact (00:31:20)

14. Best practices and habits (00:32:13)