Persuasive Business Proposals: Writing to Win More Customers, Clients, and Contracts

Professionals and Writers

Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of professionals in companies large and small, in government agencies, in universities, in health care organizations, and in engineering, manufacturing, and consulting firms. One opinion I’ve heard voiced time and again: “I like my job, but I hate all of the writing I have to do!”

The underlying attitude seems to be that the writing isn’t really part of the job. Instead, it’s some kind of onerous burden slapped on top of your real responsibilities by a devious or unsympathetic management.

But wait a minute. What are “professionals,” anyway? Are they merely people who do for money what amateurs do for fun? That may be true in sports and romance, but not in the business world. ...