503-785-3485
bill@conerlyconsulting.com
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
Conerly Consulting Conerly Consulting
  • Consulting
    • Approach/Philosophy
    • Sounding Board
    • Economics and Business Strategy
    • Assessment
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
  • Speaking
    • The Package
    • Topics
    • Testimonials
  • Writing
    • Businomics Newsletter
    • Businomics
    • The Flexible Stance
    • Blog
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finance
    • Manufacturing
    • Other Industries
  • Video
    • Speaking
    • Event Promotion
    • Business Planning
  • About
    • News Coverage
  • Contact
  • Consulting
    • Approach/Philosophy
    • Sounding Board
    • Economics and Business Strategy
    • Assessment
    • Case Studies
    • Testimonials
  • Speaking
    • The Package
    • Topics
    • Testimonials
  • Writing
    • Businomics Newsletter
    • Businomics
    • The Flexible Stance
    • Blog
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finance
    • Manufacturing
    • Other Industries
  • Video
    • Speaking
    • Event Promotion
    • Business Planning
  • About
    • News Coverage
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Uncategorized
  • Writing About Finance and Economics

Uncategorized

14 Jul 2020

Writing About Finance and Economics

  • By Bill Conerly
  • In Uncategorized

Two computer software engineers asked me for advice about technical writing. Explaining economics and finance shares some of the challenges of technical writing, so I pulled together some notes.

General Writing Tips

Practice. Spending 20 minutes a day writing will build writing skills.

Write the first draft quickly; don’t fine tune a paragraph; just move on to the next paragraph. Then let sit for 24 hours and revise. Repeat after another 24 hours. If the information is time sensitive (which in your case might be you want something available to coworkers right away), publish first and edit later.

Make sure your grammar is right. My Forbes editors love Grammarly, an app. I’ve tried it and found it was not useful, because my grammar was pretty good from the get-go. But it might be worth trying to see if you have some persistent problem. In the past, I wrote many comma splices.

Tips That Might Apply to Technical Writing

Consider submitting some writing you’ve done to an experienced technical writer (which you can find through Upwork) and asking him/her for advice on areas for improvement.

Write simple sentences. The more complex the sentence, the harder for someone else to understand it.

Beware of references to past points with “it” or “that” or “which.” Cotton prices rose in Alabama due to boll weevils reducing crop yields, along with higher labor costs. That also happened in Mississippi. In the second sentence, what does “that” refer to? Higher cotton prices, lower yields or higher labor costs, or the entire sequence?

What does your audience know? Don’t belabor points they are sure to know; provide references if you’re unsure if the audience knows some point; and explain what they probably don’t know that you think they should know.

Tips For Getting the Audience to Want to Read Your Stuff

Have a lead that says why they should read this. Then have a thesis statement that drives all further content.

Don’t add interesting stuff that is not necessary for the thesis statement.

Use action verbs rather than forms of “to be.” Virus uncertainty challenges business leaders is better than Virus uncertainty is a challenge for business leaders.

Reducing my first draft’s word count by 30% generally improves the article. Beyond 30% worsens the article. Your mileage may vary. Leonard Elmore wrote, “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.”

When deleting content, copy it to the bottom of the document, in case you later decide to use it.

Get an idea, start a document. It you don’t have time to write it, save the file with just a few words that will remind you of the idea.

Try to start sentences and paragraphs with main points: Unemployment of high school dropouts rose, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is better than According to a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment of high school dropouts rose last month.

Writing positives is better than negatives, in my opinion, though many don’t follow this rule. Ronald Reagan had a new speechwriter who started a sentence, “I will never forget . . .” Reagan crossed that out and wrote, “I shall always remember . . .”

 

  • Share:
Bill Conerly

Search

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

View Latest Issue

RSS Bill’s Forbes Articles

  • The Back Rent Problem Won’t Hurt The Economy January 19, 2021
    Being behind on rent is a big problem for tenants and for landlords, but it’s not a big problem for the economy as a whole, despite the scary numbers.

Testimonials

Dr. Conerly’s presentation and view of the economic conditions impacting the world of business is insightful and thought-provoking. His analysis and presentation style is audience focused and engaging, leading to the efficient development of follow-up activities by those in attendance.
Paul Ulrich, The Inteplast Group (plastic bags)
AgFirst Farm Credit Bank has benefitted from Bill Conerly’s unique insights and perspectives several times over the past five years…his materials consistently cover the points that we agree on…he has been very well-received by our groups, and we look forward to having Bill with us again in the future.
Ronnie Hucks, AgFirst Farm Credit, Columbia
The ratings you received from our banker evaluations were among the highest I’ve seen, which matched my impressions exactly. Your presentation style is quite engaging, you bring interesting and valuable content, and our ability to interact in a stimulating way during “Q&A” sessions makes you a valuable addition to any meeting agenda. As a bonus, you are a genuinely enjoyable participant in conference activities beyond your presentation.
Steve Yeakel, Montana Independent Bankers
Bill Conerly has been an invaluable resource to our executive team and ownership by delivering superior, well-founded ideas that are critical to navigating the current economic climate within the construction industry. Bill assisted O.B. Williams Company with developing a strong business plan that we implemented 18 months ago. As a result and together with Bill, we are improving our position within our highly competitive market segment. We understand that navigating this current economy is indee…
David Wick, CEO, O.B. Williams Company
On multiple occasions we have engaged Dr. Conerly to facilitate, and more importantly, stimulate strategic planning sessions. He artfully brings the complexity of economic consequences to light, and is also is a veteran voice of objectivity. And his ability to inject humor keeps the energy and teamwork a priority!
Greg Newton, CFO, Cascade Bancorp
Our audience of local business and community leaders not only valued the economic data you provided, but they really appreciated that you made it applicable to their businesses, their personal lives and moreover – that you presented it in a clear and entertaining manner.
Scott Boyer, Mountain Pacific Bank
As you know, it can be difficult to find economists who provide good substantive information who are so entertaining and engaging. I received many enthusiastic comments from members and others in attendance. I was very pleased with Dr. Conerly and have recommended him to NCSTAE, our national organization.
Molly Steckel, Idaho Telecom Alliance
Bill assisted O.B. Williams Company with developing a strong business plan that we implemented 18 months ago. As a result and together with Bill, we are improving our position within our highly competitive market segment.
David Wick, CEO, O.B. Williams Company (wood products)
Bill is a delight and easy to work with. The client thought he was great and delivered value to their group. I would definitely recommend Bill.
Andrea Gold, Gold Stars Speakers Bureau
You made a complicated global picture understandable. I have received many favorable comments from those in attendance. I frequently heard comments like ‘Now I understand’ or ‘Wow, now I get it’ and ‘He was great to listen to. Thanks for bringing Bill to our meeting.’
Pete Van Sickle, Idaho Department of Lands

Get in touch

(503) 785-3485

bill@conerlyconsulting.com

PO Box 2188
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Useful Links

  • Consulting
  • Speaking
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Contact

Social Links

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

Newsletters

Copyright 2020 Conerly Consulting LLC