The other day I was talking with the managing editor of a popular subscription website that is rich in content. The editor introduced me to the site and wanted to know whether I would like to write regularly for it.
I responded something like this: "I'd like some time to think about it. I need to decide how writing for you fits into my priorities."
Her response surprised me: "I'm so glad to hear that. So often people commit right away. Then a month later they realize they can't do it."
Do you think before you commit to writing on a deadline? Or to a particular deadline?
Just today I caught myself telling a new client that I would send her a letter of agreement on Friday. Before I clicked Send, I realized that the client would not care when she received the letter of agreement. I changed "on Friday" to "in a few days," which fits better with my schedule yet keeps us moving forward.
I recall an email exchange that I began with these words: "As promised, here is the . . . ." My colleague replied, "Thanks so much for your email and for doing what you said you'd do when you said you'd do it. How refreshing!"
Be refreshing. Think before you commit--especially when no one has asked for your work by a particular date.
Please share your insights on priorities and promises.
Lynn
Syntax Training
Its definitely better to under-promise and over deliver so yes, when it comes to formal writing, we must overestimate that turn around time. Its for our own good.
Posted by: Business Writing | October 30, 2009 at 11:53 AM