7 tricks for writing internal copy they’ll actually read

Editor’s note: This story is taken from Ragan Communications’ distance-learning portal Ragan Training. The site contains hundreds of hours of case studies, video presentations and interactive courses.

When you write for an internal audience, think of yourself as reaching out to a network that extends far beyond your initial readers, says writer Sharon Hurley Hall.

In “Employees: The most important audience you’ll ever write for,” says Hurley Hall, who mentors writers on her Get Paid to Write Online blog, lays out tips for communicating internally.

“Your internal audience is only the first stage of your company’s communication,” she says, “because the people that you’re communicating with internally may also be transmitting some of that communication to external audiences and stakeholders.”

This includes executives talking to industry leaders, staffers talking to contractors, and salespeople reaching out to prospects.

Here a few of Hurley Hall’s best suggestions for writing for your audience, internally and externally:

1. Consult the organizational chart.