Jan
16
Did you know that not being able to write could hold you back from working with more clients, selling more homes and even making more money?
I had a high school teacher who always said that the ability to write well is the most important skill a person can develop.
[Okay, I confess: he WAS my writing teacher.]
But he’s certainly not the only one with that opinion. As I’ve made the transition from student to salesman to writer to business owner, I’ve seen it again and again.
Not being able to write can hold you back.
In fact, no matter what you want to do in life, a solid background in writing will always get you farther, faster.
Look at it this way: If you wanted to be a news anchor, you have to start as a reporter–and for that, you need to be able to write news stories well.
If you wanted to work in radio station television promotions, you have to be able to write on-air promos well.
But how does writing help a business owner, namely a real estate agent?
A World Dominated by Writers
Long time ago a television producer once said that in a world dominated by computers, writing careers will be safe.
And he’s right.
A quick look around the re.net shows computers taking over–particularly with business blogs.
But computers still demand a human to write. They can’t write by themselves. [Trust me: Writing will never be replaced by a robot.]
“Write” as in craft a story, captivate an audience, motivate someone to do something.
Some of you might be thinking, “Writing can’t be that important. I don’t read that much. Besides, I own a business. I sell houses.”
So maybe you don’t read much. But think about this: that marketing plan you promised you’d get around to creating for 2008–she needs a writer.
The half-hour listing presentation you gave last night–exceptional presentations start with a writer.
Even your favorite “unscripted,” objection-overcoming message on why you are the agent of choice, demands a person with a smidgen of storytelling skill, which is central to–you guessed it–writing.
During the commercial breaks, did you ever notice the thirty-second news spots that usually sound like this: “It’s common, it’s deadly, and it may be in YOUR child’s breakfast. Details at six.”
Somebody wrote that, too. And how would you like to have that kind of compelling power?
Think about your iPod. Lyrics don’t write themselves. And the Internet? For goodness sakes. It’s full of written content.
Magazines, newspapers, talk shows–they all need people to write for them. And of course we can’t forget good, old books–that would be missing the forest for all of the trees.
Where Else Can Writing be Important?
What about the emails you write? Do they sound like you or a monosyllabic machine. [Yes. No. Sure. I'll get back with you.]
Okay, then, how about your business plan? Or your advertisements? Or your blog?
There’s just no avoiding it.
No matter what you want to do you’ll need to know how to write effectively. You’ll need to be able to communicate clearly, persuade successfully, and entertain brilliantly.
That’s why high school and college curricula require so many courses with a heavy concentration on writing. They push the writing issue because they know it’s important–and they know it’s a tricky thing for a lot of people to master.
So when you’re at the bookstore looking for a coffee table book, pick up something that teaches writing instead. Then, find something you’re interested in, sit down, and just write about it.
Write emails that are no less than seven sentences long, but sharp and focused. Make your spouse/significant other learn to write. Create reports. Record your thoughts on a hipster pda.
But the most important thing to learn from writing is this: Writing helps you hone your critical thinking skills.
It helps you organize your thoughts. Prioritize your ideas. Create a visual representation of your best arguments. And when you revise and rewrite, you can’t help but take ownership and authority over your ideas.
So even if you never blog or write a book, writing can even improve your public, social and persuasive speaking skills.
So pick up a book on writing. Teach yourself, your spouse, your kids.
Heck, see if the family dog can pick up on it, too. It’s a crucial thing to know.
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7 Responses to “Why Writing Is the Most Important Thing You Can Learn”
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Where writing well really helps is in it’s direct correlation to speaking well. Someone who learns to be well-read also inherently learns to be well spoken.
You are spot on Greg. If you write well and read well, you can’t help but get good at it. Practicing until your head falls off helps, too.
[...] Why Writing Is the Most Important Thing You Can Learn [...]
THANK YOU SOOO MUCH…. I FOUND THIS VERY INFORMATIVE AND APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND INPUT
this is the motivation that i needed