{"id":69976,"date":"2023-11-06T16:03:48","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T16:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.strattoncraig.com\/insight\/teach-someone-to-write-for-financial-services\/"},"modified":"2025-03-07T16:58:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T16:58:21","slug":"teach-someone-to-write-for-financial-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.strattoncraig.com\/us\/insight\/teach-someone-to-write-for-financial-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you teach someone to write for financial services?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lots of people feel that financial writing<\/a> is like singing \u2013 something you\u2019re born to do, or something you should never dare to attempt in public. Yet in today\u2019s information age, clear financial communications are vital. From emails and policies to presentations and letters, writing is an essential skill most of us need to master.<\/p>\n

In the world of financial services, where you\u2019re dealing with complex topics and are sometimes restrained by mandated wording, communications can prove challenging. But there are ways to ensure your writing is clearer and stronger across emails, presentations and blogs.<\/p>\n

A formulaic art<\/h3>\n

So many aspects of creative writing are intangible. Why would you choose irate instead of furious when, technically, they\u2019re synonyms? It\u2019s hard to pin down what makes a brilliant piece of prose when context and connotation are so fluid.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, it\u2019s easier to define what makes financial communications good.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard the phrase \u2018less is more\u2019. And nowhere is this more apt than when it comes to financial communications. AI has taken most of us by surprise, but it makes sense that some types of writing can be learned and replicated by AI. Lots of financial services writing is formulaic and logical; there are the usual grammatical rules to follow and a narrative flow that draws people in to give you their time, attention and\/or money. It\u2019s not particularly inspiring or beautiful, but it gets words down on paper in a sensible order and makes sure readers come away with the information that matters most to them.<\/p>\n

And just as AI can learn patterns, so can people. Approaching writing as more of a science than an art may be particularly suited to people with an aptitude for pattern recognition. Even if you don\u2019t feel you\u2019ve got much of a creative flair, you can learn key rules that apply to the writing forms you most commonly use.<\/p>\n

Getting to the point<\/h3>\n

Historically, a formal, grandiose style of writing has been equated with financial expertise and authority. But as society has loosened its top button, the way we communicate financial information has dialled down in formality too. Big words and lengthy sentences no longer assert authority when so many emails and instant messages demand our attention.<\/p>\n

Not convinced? Which of these two emails would you rather receive?<\/p>\n

\u201cGood day, Jane<\/p>\n

I have attached for your convenience the agenda in advance of tomorrow\u2019s budget meeting. I would request you inform me of your feedback at your earliest convenience by 3pm this afternoon so I can review and amend it if necessary. Regretfully I will not be able to include any correspondence received after this time as Mike has requested that the finalised agenda be sent to him by 5pm at the latest, so he can prepare for the meeting himself.<\/p>\n

Kind regards,<\/p>\n

Sandra.\u201d<\/p>\n

OR<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Jane<\/p>\n

Please find the agenda for tomorrow\u2019s budget meeting attached.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like me to make any updates, please can you send your comments over by 3pm? Mike has asked to receive the final version by 5pm.<\/p>\n

Best wishes,<\/p>\n

Sandra\u201d<\/p>\n

Version one loses the action among big words, lengthy sentences and unnecessary information. The tone feels antiquated. Version two stays professional and puts the spotlight on the action, with a warmer tone that makes for a more pleasant read. Challenging some of the longstanding assumptions people have about professional writing is often the first step to improving their writing.<\/p>\n

A clear plan of action<\/h3>\n

Lots of bad writing happens before a single word has reached the page. Failing to plan what you\u2019ll say is like going to the supermarket without a list; you\u2019ll come home with everything but the milk and bread you need. Writing without understanding what your content needs to do can also lead to waffling or you missing the point entirely. And in financial services, it’s essential that the reader understands clearly and quickly what they need to know. Composing an email about a promotion? If you haven\u2019t mentioned the date, the discounts and how people can take advantage of it in the first paragraph, you\u2019ve lost most readers. Need your colleague to attend a meeting about updated projections? Focus on the essentials, such as the time of the meeting or deadline and any resources they need to see. Whatever you\u2019re writing, and whoever the audience is, they need to understand immediately why they should care.<\/p>\n

Fixing your mistakes<\/h3>\n

To improve, it\u2019s important to recognise where your writing is holding you back. It\u2019s something us professional writers do regularly. Here are a few points to look out for:<\/p>\n