The number of queries we receive on business writing as a freelancing option are not as many as we do on, say, creative writing or travel writing. Being a business journalist and author myself, I cannot understand why, but perhaps it has something to do with a perception that business writing is ‘boring.’ Let me give you an overview of what business writing really is and then I’d like you to give me your opinions about it.
Is it a fact that business writing is boring? And is it that only writers with a background in management, commerce or economics take it up not because they necessarily want to, but because it is a logical conclusion for them? Not in the least. It’s no doubt true that writers and journalists with such a background do opt more readily for it— because of their stronger knowledge base they can skip the hands-on training on the desk editing copy if they want to. But, there are many from streams as diverse such as engineering, pure sciences and literature who are today some of the most well-known journalists and freelancers in the field of business writing. Most of them would say it’s such a challenging and satisfying experience that once they were in it, they got hooked on and never felt the need to look elsewhere.
What constitutes business journalism and general business writing? Post liberalization in 1991, business journalism got a tremendous boost. Today, it covers a wide range of areas such as industrial sectors, analysis of corporate results, banking, insurance, fiscal and monetary policy, the annual Budget, mergers and acquisitions, management related issues such as business strategy, leadership, corporate governance right up to sunrise sectors such as medical tourism and much else. These could be written in the form of articles, power point presentations, news reports, research papers, books, etc. General business writing includes business-related web content, newsletters, PPTs, reports, research papers, resume writing, writing for blogs and forums, press releases, brochures and information pamphlets, technical writing, etc. While a degree in business-related disciplines is a definite advantage, it is not a guarantee of success. What one does need to have is the willingness to learn technical concepts and convey them in a way intelligible enough to a literate layman, an ability to present facts and analyse them in a concise manner—and what else? Now, you tell me the rest and conclude whether business writing is interesting or boring.
Jayshree Bose comes with 25 years of experience in the field of business writing and editing. She is now Online Community Manager at Chillibreeze Solutions, a leading content outsourcing firm, where she is also in overall charge of Writers’ Meets and other activities on an All-India basis. She has has worked as Assistant and Associate Editor in mainstream business publications such as Business Standard, The Financial Express and Business World. Then, as Senior Faculty Member-Consulting Editor with Icfai Business School Research Center, Chennai, where she brought out many books on business-related themes.She has also freelanced for organizations like KPMG, Jardine Fleming, Tata Consultancy Services (Insurance Practice),Center for Insurance and Risk Management, Indian Banks Association, IRDA and reputed publications
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Comments:
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Jayshree,
I don’t think business writing is boring for everyone. However, for some people like me, who left a rather lucrative corporate career that involved disciplined writing similar to that of business writing, to pursue creative writing, it may indeed seem ho-hum. The topics you mentioned in your article – acquisitions, policies, and even medical tourism – cannot be accused of being uninspiring for all. It is the way articles on these subjects are expected to be written that causes boredom.
That business writing is fairly diverse is a fact, as you have brought out in your article, but I would rather stay away, not so much for the boredom as for the fact that it is not what I set out to do. To each his own, eh?
Cheers,
Shefali
Shafali,
Fair enough.
That is why Biz. writing is focussed only to the biz client needs and biz needs. The reader knows what is in it for him !!!
Until and unless, you are a biz. person or connected to biziness activity, reading or writing this biz language is Greek and latin.
Cool it …..and of course you work and try out ADVERTISING copy….its is creative and enriching touching only the promotional peripheries of selling a biz product.
OK ?
Jay
Hi Jayshree,
I have been a business writer for a while now and I guess, it’s all about individual perception at the end of the day. I actually like and enjoy business writing at times when I feel the need to get back to my roots in writing, so to speak. Then there are instances where I want to focus on creative copy. This is why freelance writing is so much more versatile and fun because you’re presented with opportunities to write on diverse subjects most days of the week!
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