Writing Internal Memos

One of the most legendary marketers of all time: David Ogilvy. In 1982, David wrote an internal memo to the employees of his advertising agency titled "How to write." And in just 10 bullets he put together a masterclass in effective writing. Here's a breakdown of each one: The memo starts with a clear why. "The better you write, the higher you will go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well. Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well." Replace "Ogilvy & Mather" with any company and this holds true. 1/ Read the Roman-Raphelson book on writing. Read it 3 times. Every company on Earth would be a better place if this book was required reading. If you are still sending emails with Walls of Text, order this. 2/ Write the way you talk. Naturally. "Finding your writing voice" is a waste of time. You already have your voice—the one you use every day. Here's how to start using it in your writing: • Choose a topic • Record yourself talking about it Then, transcribe it and start there. 3/ Use short words, short sentences, and short paragraphs. This one takes practice. But the easiest way to find when you're being too wordy? Read everything aloud before you publish it. When you find yourself getting caught up, it's a sign you need to simplify. 4/ Never use jargon words like "reconceptualizes, demassification, attitudinally, judgementally." When you see someone using jargon, they're hiding their lack of understanding. An easy solution: pretend you are writing to an 8th grader. 5/ Never write more than two pages on any subject. 99% of books should be blog posts. And 99% of blog posts should be tweets. I would preface this by saying: never *publish* more than two pages on any subject. If it can't fit in two pages, it should be simpler. 6/ Check your quotations. This one is simple enough. Misquotes are unforced errors. 7/ Never send a letter or memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning, then edit it. This is the number one piece of writing advice I give people. If you are publishing something important, always, always, give it room to breathe. And always read it aloud. 8/ If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it. This pairs nicely with point number 7. If it's something really important, write it, give it a day, edit it, then send it to a colleague. 9/ Before you send your letter or memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do. Put yourself in the reader's shoes and identify exactly the next step they should take after reading. Then, articulate those steps for them. 10/ If you want ACTION, don't write. Go tell the guy what you want. Last and most importantly, writing is never a replacement for a targeted conversation. Most messages should be conversations, especially ones that require action. Boom, that's it! Which one will you start using today? Let me know!

Good decisions die in messy docs. If you want clarity and speed, compress it. One page. Five sections. No fluff. 1. Context – Why we’re here and what’s at stake. 2. Options – The real alternatives we considered. 3. Risk – Trade-offs, uncertainties, and what could break. 4. Choice – The decision, and the “why” behind it. 5. Follow-Ups – Who owns what, and by when. This format does 3 things well: Forces clear thinking. Speeds alignment. Leaves a record for future you. If your team debates endlessly or revisits decisions over and over, try the one-page memo for your next meeting. You’ll feel the difference.

David Ogilvy built a $363.2 million advertising empire with one secret weapon: writing. In 1982, he sent this internal memo to 3,000+ employees that's better advice than anything you'll find on LinkedIn today: Here's his exact advice: "The better you write, the higher you go in Ogilvy & Mather. People who think well, write well. Woolly minded people write woolly memos, woolly letters and woolly speeches." Then he gave them 10 rules: 1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times. 2. Write the way you talk. Naturally. 3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs. 4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious as*. 5. Never write more than two pages on any subject. 6. Check your quotations. 7. Never send a letter or memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning - and then edit it. 8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it. 9. Before you send your letter or memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do. 10. If you want ACTION, don't write. Go and tell the guy what you want. TAKEAWAY: Most business writing today is terrible. And AI is making it worse. Ogilvy knew that clear writing = clear thinking. And clear thinking builds better businesses. Period. P.S. Which of these 10 rules do you break most often? I'm definitely guilty of sending emails the same day I write them. What about you? 👇

📜 Mastering Legal Writing: A Guide to Drafting Effective Legal Memos ⚖️ Legal writing is a crucial skill for law students, legal professionals, and advocates. Whether drafting legal memoranda, interoffice memos, or case briefs, clarity, precision, and a structured approach are essential. This guide provides best practices for writing professional legal memos, ensuring strong legal analysis, logical organization, and persuasive reasoning. ✍️ 🔹 Key Components of a Legal Memorandum ✔️ Heading – Identifies the recipient, author, client, and main legal issue ✔️ Question Presented – Clearly defines the legal question(s) analyzed in the memo ✔️ Brief Answer – Provides a concise response to the question based on legal principles ✔️ Facts – Organizes and presents relevant case details in a structured manner ✔️ Discussion (Legal Analysis) – Examines case law, statutes, and arguments leading to the conclusion ✔️ Conclusion – Summarizes key findings and implications 🔹 Best Practices for Effective Legal Writing 📌 Identify and Define Legal Issues Clearly – Spot and frame issues using relevant legal terminology 📌 Use a Logical Structure – Follow a clear and organized format to enhance readability 📌 Present Facts Objectively – State only relevant facts without bias or assumptions 📌 Support Arguments with Legal Authority – Use case law, statutes, and legal precedents 📌 Write Concisely & Precisely – Avoid unnecessary jargon; clarity is key 🔹 Why Legal Writing Matters Strong legal writing enhances legal analysis, case strategy, and professional communication. It helps legal professionals effectively present arguments, draft pleadings, and prepare for litigation. This guide is a must-read for law students, legal researchers, and practicing attorneys looking to refine their legal writing skills! #LegalWriting #LawStudents #LegalDrafting #LegalResearch #WritingSkills #LawPractice #LegalAnalysis #MemoDrafting

The one doc every cyber pro should learn to write No, it’s not a policy. It’s a security decision memo. You need to show you can influence decisions. A great security decision memo includes: 1. The risk - What’s the threat, exposure, or concern? Frame it clearly—business first, then technical. 2. The options - Present 2–3 clear paths: do nothing, fix partially, fix fully. Include the pros, cons, and impact of each. 3. The recommendation - What should we do and why? Keep it focused on business value and risk reduction. 4. The tradeoffs - What are we accepting if we delay or say no? Show that you’ve thought it through. 5. The cost - Not just dollars—cost in engineering time, user friction, or productivity. 6. The call to action - What decision are you asking for? Who needs to sign off? And most importantly: No jargon. No fluff. No fear-mongering. Make it readable by legal, product, and the CFO. Being able to write one makes you look like leadership—even if you’re not there yet !

I never got a BigLaw summer associate position. But I’ve seen where summer associates stumble—especially in their writing. Here are ten common missteps, and how to fix them. One per week of the typical ten-week program. Week 1: Know your reader. A memo to a partner is not a brief to a court. Tailor tone, structure, and detail to your audience’s priorities (especially their time). Week 2: Lead with your conclusion. “Rule → Application → Conclusion” may work for exams, but in practice, clarity demands: “Conclusion → Reasoning → Authority.” Week 3: Short sentences win. If your reader has to pause to untangle your thought, they’ve already stopped listening. Week 4: Be ruthless with transitions. Legal writing should guide the reader like a staircase, not a scavenger hunt. Each paragraph should push the logic forward, not just fill space. Week 5: Avoid passive voice when it hides the actor. “The contract was breached” is vague. Who breached it? Be specific, unless ambiguity serves a purpose. Week 6: Cut throat-clearing phrases. “It is important to note that” rarely adds value. If something is important, the content—not the disclaimer—should carry the weight. Week 7: Use clear, specific headings. Headings should preview your structure, not obscure your point. Don’t write “Relevant Law.” Write “No Standing Without Concrete Harm.” Week 8: Watch for legalese. You’re not scoring points for saying “pursuant to” when “under” works. Week 9: Edit like opposing counsel is watching. Every typo chips away at credibility. Every vague reference invites a motion to compel. Week 10: Ask yourself: Would I want to read this? If the answer is no, fix it. You’re not just writing to inform. You’re writing to earn trust. If you’re heading into a summer program, remember: in BigLaw, your writing is your reputation—on the page, in the inbox, and in the partner’s mind. — Hi, I'm Patrick Hagen. Clear writing. Sharp strategy. Litigation done right for in-house teams. Follow and ring the 🔔 for legal writing tips.

✴The hardest part of Arabic localization isn't the grammar... it's navigating the culture.✴ What’s perfectly acceptable or funny in one language can easily come across as offensive or confusing in Arabic. Everything needs scrutiny: colors, symbols, humor, and visuals. A few common examples show why: The color green often symbolizes faith and vitality. Direct sarcasm often doesn't translate well and can sound impolite. Certain visuals or idioms might unintentionally clash with deeply held cultural or religious values. Cultural sensitivity is the key. It's about showing respect rather than avoiding content. When brands invest in understanding the Arabic audience, they successfully build genuine trust, which is far more valuable than simply increasing reach.

🗓️ Timing Matters in Global Comms: Respect Cultural & Religious Calendars 🕌🌟 Have you ever launched an international campaign, only to find out it fell during a major religious holiday one of your targeted countries? When communicating internationally, aligning with local religious and cultural timing is not optional: it’s mandatory. Examples from the field: 👉 During Ramadan, in markets like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt, online activity shifts to evening hours. Brands like Michael Kors and Max Mara Fashion Group adapt their posting schedules and curate content to reflect respect for fasting and communal celebration 👉 In India, Diwali celebrations emphasize prosperity, family, and light, rather than aggressive sales tactics. Messages that highlight warmth and togetherness tend to perform well. 👉 During China's Golden Week, people mainly focus on traveling and leisure activities. This makes it a less ideal time for B2B or strongly promotional campaigns. 👉 In the Philippines, many businesses take a break from marketing activities during Holy Week to respect the period of reflection and tradition. ✅ so here's my two cents on how to act respectfully and effectively: - Create and keep up-to-date a worldwide calendar of cultural and religious events. - Tailor visuals and messaging to fit the occasion, steering clear of celebratory images during solemn times. - Modify the timing of your posts to match changes in audience online activity during holiday periods. 📚 A good read from Vogue Business is in the first comment below. Sensitivity isn’t just ethical—it’s a driver of engagement and loyalty. #GlobalMarketing #CulturalSensitivity #Ramadan #Localization #InternationalComms #TimingIsEverything #RespectFirst 🌐⏰ ---------------------- ✨ I’m Alexandra, sharing weekly thoughts on international communication. Episode #7 ends here — join me next Wednesday for the next chapter of our journey across cultures! 🚀🌏

Cultural misunderstanding and cultural adjustment are among the top fears of international educators, according to a recent survey that I commissioned. Multicultural communication requires thoughtful consideration. People new to working abroad don't automatically know all the cultural nuances that are important to good communication. Several factors confuse it. First, multicultural communication involves exchanges between one or more second-language learners. It's easy to miscommunicate when people don't understand the level of language in the conversation. All staff I know, new or veteran, want good communication. However, gaining it requires hard work and effort, and multicultural communication is especially tricky. 🔥 HOT TIP 1. AVOID TECHNICAL SCHOOL JARGON Educators use school-speak all the time when we talk with each other. Still, we need to remember that parents may be unfamiliar with technical terms such as IEP, vertical alignment, essential questions, or RIT scores. I've sat in many parent meetings where educators start speaking like this, but parents don't want to look bad. Therefore, they won't ask. When I see this happen, I always stop the meeting and ask parents if they understand the terms—99% of the time, the answer is "no." The solution is to use parent-friendly language when communicating using these terms. Yet, that strategy only works when educators make the purposeful effort to speak or write that way. 🔥 HOT TIP 2. AVOID USING IDIOMS AND COMPLEX LANGUAGE Next to jargon, using idioms and complex words is the most common way I see communication breakdown in multicultural meetings. People use idioms that second-language learners don't understand. The other communication problem is using big words that are too complex for second-language speakers to understand. 🔥 HOT TIP 3. SEEK ADVICE ABOUT CULTURAL COMMUNICATION When we are new to a country's culture, it's beneficial to understand cultural nuances before we start writing to parents. Cultural insensitivity can be a deadly mistake that will damage our relationship with families before we've even started working with their children. Did your school provide training about culturally sensitive communication? Another way to learn about cultural nuances is to ask your mentor or team leader for advice. Listen carefully to all their suggestions and take them to heart. That way, your communication with families will start on a good note, and that will put them solidly on your side. You can take the time to get a good start when communicating in a multicultural school. The time you spend learning about it will help you establish clear channels of communication that will make your work easier. What multicultural communication tips can you share as part of this conversation? Please feel free to comment below. _______ Copyright 2024 by Kelley Ridings