Great writing takes time and practice. As iconic businessman David Ogilvy said, "Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well." There are several ways you can quickly make improvements to your own writing. Before you start writing anything, stop and think about what you want and need to say. Ask yourself, "What does this person need to know or understand after reading this email?" You can also use the "5 Ws + H" that all journalists use when crafting their work:

Once you've identified what you need to say, get to the point quickly. People are always pressed for time, and they will appreciate your brevity. Need more convincing? Stop and think about how frustrated you feel after reading an email that's three times longer than it needs to be, with the main points buried way at the bottom. It's a waste of time and energy, right? Don't make your audience go through this - be brief.

Stop and think about how many emails you write each day at work. According to a study conducted by Carleton University, professionals spend one-third of their time at work reading and answering emails. You might spend more than this, or less, but chances are, a significant portion of your day is spent writing something.

10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Business Writing Skills

Nikhil Kumar