Grow Your Business - David Reid Group Perth - Strategy, Marketing, Sales, People, Technology, Consulting and Coaching

Elizabeth Arkle

Elizabeth graduated from Murdoch University in 2004 with Bachelor of Laws, majoring in Criminal and Family Law, and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Communication and Cultural Studies. In 2006 she also completed a Diploma of Education (Secondary) at Edith Cowan University. Elizabeth helps businesses improve their written communications.

In this DRG snapshot Elizabeth talks about her work with DRG and why well-written materials can improve the way you brand your business and ultimately the way your business sells.

What types of materials do you create for businesses?

Anything that needs to be written basically! The types of projects that I have worked on are really quite varied. I have worked with clients to develop the text for websites, brochures, booklets, tenders, newsletters, even yellow pages adverts. I’ve just finished working with an IT company in the CBD writing the text for a large booklet detailing their latest offering. I have worked with companies ranging from a telecommunications company, creating all its website and informative materials on a mobile gaming venture, to creating a tender document for a prominent scaffolding company. The types of work are not set in stone. Really if a business is having trouble writing a particular document I have a look at it to see what I can do.

Why do businesses look for a business writer?

From my experience, one of the main reasons businesses come to me for assistance is because of a time constraint. People are so busy at the moment that often they simply don’t have the time to sit down and really do justice to a particular document. That’s where I can help. Because writing is my focus, I have the time to spend concentrating on that project alone – be it a page long letter to clients or a 30 page tender document. I also find that a lot of people put off writing things for as long as they can because it’s more of a chore than a joy to them. Fortunately I have always enjoyed to write, so it

works out quite well! Sometimes it is also beneficial to have an outside person come in and evaluate the information you are wanting to get out there to clients. It can really help to determine what is relevant, what a client wants or needs to know, and how it should be said.

What process do you go through when writing for a business?

The first step is to meet with the client and ascertain exactly what needs to be written and who the target audience is. Once this is worked out, the next step is to get as much information from the client as possible – whether it is background information or details on the actual project at hand. Once I have all the information I need I go away and put together a first draft of the document. Often clients benefit from seeing that first draft in a material form – what was in their head out on paper. Often this helps to crystallise what else needs to be included.

What are the benefits for businesses?

A lot of clients seem to feel peace of mind in knowing that someone is focusing their time on a document that they have put off writing for whatever reason. The main benefits for businesses lie in getting the right message across to customers in a way that they can understand and appreciate. This can have flow on effects to the overall branding of a business and the improvement of sales.

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