I recently sampled a newly published, highly touted, and widely reviewed fantasy novel, and found that the level of editing was well below par. Weak or improper words, awkward phrasing, redundant clauses, needless repetition, and excessive punctuation all contributed to an overall tone of amateurish writing. Yet I blame the editor.
In the dynamic world of business, where every message competes for attention and every second counts, how something is said can be just as important as what is said. That is where style in business writing comes into play.
Many professionals spend more time on getting the numbers right than making the related analysis cogent. Effective business communication demands more than bullet points and buzzwords. Writing style directly affects how the message is received and, in turn, how the company is perceived.
Non-fiction writing, whether a memoir, self-help book, historical account, or investigative piece, offers a powerful promise: to inform, to inspire, or to reveal truths about the world. But even the most compelling facts can fall flat if they are not presented clearly, accurately, and engagingly. That is where non-fiction editing comes in—not just to tidy up grammar, but to help shape material into a compelling and credible narrative.
Target audience and money. Like its ‘normal’ or ‘standard’ counterparts, business editing involves refining written communication to ensure clarity, professionalism, and effectiveness, as well as optimizing tone, structure, and messaging for the target audience, in this case, those involved in business, finance and economic-related activities. The goal is to produce content that is not only accurate and error-free but also persuasive, concise, and brand-aligned. In short, the message delivered should be action-oriented. After all, you might be asking someone to part with their money!
