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Don Heymann - Clear & Persuasive Written Communications

Don Heymann

Clear & Persuasive Written Communications

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creating mental pictures

Simple and Specific: The Key to Understanding in Your Writing

September 5, 2018 by Don Heymann Leave a Comment

You might think that being too specific in your communications might confuse busy readers or distract audiences but it’s quite the opposite. Using simple language and being appropriately specific in your descriptions have been proven to increase understanding and retention. Here are some examples:

Filed Under: Use of Language Tagged With: business writing, clear communication, creating mental pictures, making ideas sticky

My issue with “issue”? No problem. 

August 2, 2017 by Don Heymann 3 Comments

Problems. Difficulties. Complications. Obstacles. Disputes. Solid words but not used much anymore. Now everything is an “issue,” and I’m so grateful to Carina Chocano who wrote about this brilliantly in the New York Times Magazine (July 23, 2017).

Filed Under: Use of Language Tagged With: clear communication, creating mental pictures, keeping it real, precise language

Seattle’s International Exchanges Spur Growth, Citizen Diplomacy and Friendships

May 23, 2017 by Don Heymann Leave a Comment

World Learning is a respected non-profit that has, for decades, coordinated international exchanges and educational programs for students and entrepreneurs around the world. They asked me to write a series of articles, like the one here, to promote the benefits of these exchanges to Americans. From economic growth and business partnerships to cultural understanding, citizen diplomacy and lasting friendships –participating communities like Cleveland, Detroit, Seattle, and Tulsa are becoming welcoming centers of opportunity.

Filed Under: Cultural Communication Tagged With: a vision of better days, creating mental pictures, culture, engaging audiences, profiles in leadership

11 Steps to Compose Clear, Concise & Effective Emails

December 6, 2016 by Don Heymann 1 Comment

The average office worker receives around 80 emails each day, and I’m sure many of you receive more than that. With so much to wade through, your audience – whether it’s one colleague or a slew of potential customers – needs you to get to the point and be immediately relevant. Here are some tips to help:

Filed Under: Writing Skills Tagged With: clear communication, copywriting, creating mental pictures, plain language, precise language, writing skills

8 Words to Avoid When You Need to Talk About Yourself

March 2, 2015 by Don Heymann 6 Comments

We all know that in business, certain words get overused and become clichés. And in our highly connected world, it happens pretty darn fast. In some of these cases, and in other instances, some word choices are just not right, because they give the wrong impression. Here are some examples that are all-too-often used when we need to describe our capabilities in resumes or bios:

Filed Under: Use of Language Tagged With: creating mental pictures, engaging audiences, keeping it real, resumes and bios

Word Inflation:
 Amazing, epic, disruptive innovation

June 20, 2014 by Don Heymann Leave a Comment

If every product change or new idea is amazing, epic, and disruptive, what happens when something really significant takes place? Yes, iTunes truly disrupted the music business… but how often do these kinds of revolutions really come along?

Filed Under: Cultural Communication Tagged With: clear communication, creating mental pictures, culture, the danger of euphemisms, trust and transparency

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About Don

Don Heymann - Communications WriterDon Heymann launched his business in 1985, drawing on his broad communications experience as a writer, consultant, corporate official and agency executive.

Learn more about Don…

Recent Blog Posts

COVID 19 pandemic

The end of marketing as we know it? Lessons from the pandemic

Data is Not the Story. The Story is the Story.

The Potency of Words. Size Matters.

Sometimes It Pays To Be Ignorant.

Simple and Specific: The Key to Understanding in Your Writing

Keeping it real: Writing that’s trustworthy and credible

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