The Writing Edge for Business Writers: 12/1/17

Dec 1, 2017 | Reading Lists

You’re a businessperson. You may not think of yourself as a writer, but you know that writing well can boost your results and your career. Naturally, you want to do better. Every week I point you to articles and blog posts that I think will teach you something or spark an idea or two. The posts are about the intertwined tasks of reading and writing. Some weeks there are more pointers than others.

This week I’m pointing you to pieces on why you must read books and how to tell better stories.

From Anthony Iannarino: Why You Absolutely Must Read Books

“If you embrace the idea that books are not helpful to learning you are deciding that there is nothing worth knowing if it is not gained through your own experience. This is to suggest that the way one should learn about the dangers of fire is to burn themselves, even when others who have already had that experience might strongly suggest that you don’t burn yourself, and even if they can explain to you very clearly and easily how not to do so.”

From Kevin Eikenberry: Wish You Could Tell Better Stories? Start Here.

“Today, I offer three resources in three different mediums, all designed to help. While I recommend them all highly, I provide three mediums to give you options based on your current time available and your preferred learning style.”

From The Mission: What Happens To Your Brain When You’re Told A (Marketing) Story [Infographic]

“‘Let me tell you a story…’ is a helluva way to get someone cozied up and engaged around your digital campfire. Stories are the native programming language of humanity. But we all seem to fall into the trap of throwing facts and figures out to customers, employees and shareholders. We cite features and benefits. We overuse calls to action, treating our customers like cavemen. And we tend to use low quality imagery to get our point across.”

Sources I Check Regularly

I find the posts and articles that I share with you on The Writing Edge in many places. But there are a few that provide insightful pieces again and again. Here they are.

Alliance of Independent Authors

Frances Caballo

Jane Friedman

jeffbullas.com

Jerry Jenkins

Joel Friedlander

Joanna Penn

Melissa G. Wilson

Men with Pens

Merce Cardus

Problogger

Daphne Gray-Grant

Becky Robinson’s Weaving Influence