Tips for Writing for Clients from Other Cultures

If you are writing content for someone from a different culture or country, it is vital to use the correct tone, words and style, particularly with regard to business communications. It is generally prudent to use more formal and conservative language, rather than to risk offending the reader with a casual writing style.

Do some research about the culture and customs of your prospective client, before selecting a tone and style for the copywriting work you are required to do. It doesn't hurt to ask the client about their preferences regarding certain things.

Some online content writing points you should be clear about are:

• Addressing People: In the United States of America, people tend to establish business relationships on a first-name basis, very fast. In most other countries, it would be better to address business contacts by their last names, until the other person indicates that they would prefer using first-names. 
• Professional titles: In some countries, professional and royal titles are not used in business communications. In other cultures, people are very sensitive about adding titles like ‘Prof.’, ‘Dr.’, ‘OBE’, ‘Sir’, ‘Ph.D’, ‘Maharaja’ or ‘Fr.’ to their names. If a client displays their preference for particular professional titles, then consider following it in your copy writing work. 
• Personal Titles: In Spanish speaking countries, people are addressed as Sna. (senora), Sr. (senor), Dna. (dona) or Dn (don); instead of 'Mr.' or 'Ms.'. In Japan, honorifics like ‘San’ are appended to the end of one's first name, for example, John San. When it comes to women, in some countries (like the USA), women are addressed as ‘Ms’ rather than ‘Mrs’ or ‘Miss’. In other countries, married women may wish to be addressed as ‘Mrs’, to display their marital status. So, do careful research before selecting personal name titles. 
• Use of personal pronouns: Some cultures (like the Americans) prefer direct and clear business communication, and often use personal pronouns such as I, we and you. People from other cultures might find this offensive, and prefer using the word ‘one’ in place of you, and the passive voice. For example, instead of saying ‘He did not pick up the phone’, they would say ‘The phone was not answered’. 
• Avoid slang terms: Be careful about using idioms, jargon and slang words that may be popular in your own culture/country. These terms may make no sense to someone from another culture, and in some cases, may even be misunderstood or cause offence. For example, phrases like ‘bottom line’, 'the whole nine yards’ or ‘in a jiffy’. 
• Avoid making generalisations: Do not generalise about all Asian or all South American cultures, just because they have certain common traditions. The business traditions amongst the Japanese, Koreans and Thais may vary as much as the customs used in English-speaking cities like Los Angeles, London and Melbourne.

Before writing content for people of other cultures, consider asking them for a few samples of content with styles they like, so that you can get an idea about their cultural preferences. You can later incorporate this style in the content you are creating. While some cultures may require an indirect flowery style of copy writing, others may need a more direct style. Do your homework, before you begin typing.

If you are too busy to do business copy writing work yourself , you can always outsource it to a professional content writing and editing company like StarEdits.com, and let our experienced content writers create strong result-oriented content for you! To get started, just send us an email at info@staredits.com or fill in our Contact Us form now!

How to Write a Business Proposal that Sells

A good business proposal is vital for bringing in the lucrative projects your company desires, and the resultant huge profits. While writing a project proposal, you need to be clear and professional while communicating company information, to ensure that your client stays impressed, and decides to grant you the deal.

Project Proposal Writing For Your Business

Writing a successful business proposal can be challenging task, if you are new to project proposal writing or are facing a language issue. Then again, project proposal writing can be just like crafting a report or a persuasive essay, with a few useful company details added in the appropriate places.

Tips For Writing A Great Business Project Proposal 

Here are a few tips on how to develop a smashing project proposal, which will successfully deliver the business results you need:

• Define the problem and solution: A business proposal should identify the problems that the project is required for, and prescribe useful solutions to tackle them. These solutions should be smart enough to catch the attention of a busy client manager, who has to examine numerous project proposals. Client managers usually look for something new that saves money while bringing in the required results, so ensure that your project proposal clearly states this.
• Use facts to bolster your statements: When you present your arguments for approval, base them on facts rather than opinions or promises. Conduct research on similar projects, and mention their successes and failures while points in favour of your business proposal. Mention how your project proposal will address the failings of similar plans and projects.
• Make a prototype: If possible, create a small-scale version of the solution you are proposing in your business proposal, and present a report on the results gained from it. Based on the results shown by the prototype, present an estimate of the outcome that the full-scale project will bring about. Show the client different possible results, to give them a range of choices to consider.
• Present a realistic estimate of expenses: Be very careful while mentioning financial and manpower resources. Conduct thorough research before mentioning any figures, and present the client with realistic estimates/totals of any project costs. Also, give your clients an approximate timeline, and split your project into phases.
• Careful language and design: Use screenshots, diagrams, photos and colour schemes to make your project proposal attractive and engaging. Ensure that your completed document is free from spelling, language and grammar errors, or your credibility will be eroded. Structure textual content and images well.
• Revise your proposal: After you finish writing your project proposal, don’t send it off immediately. Take some time and review the proposal, to make it clearer and more concise. Ask a colleague or professional editing company to critique it, and make corrections if necessary.

Your business project proposal is now ready. If you are too busy to write your project proposal yourself, you can always outsource the work to a professional corporate communications company like StarEdits.com, and get our experienced content writers to develop a great business proposal for you.

StarEdits.com has written and edited hundreds of successful project proposals for clients from around the globe. Whatever the plan or project, if you require a well-written business proposal that wows the prospective client, just email us at info@staredits.com or fill in our Contact Us form now!

Top Five Styles for Writing Sharp Website Copy

A writing style is a unique way of putting words together. There is no ‘ideal’ style for web copywriting, as each client may prefer a different writing style depending on their targeted audience and company policy.

Below are five of the most common writing styles generally preferred by businesses for website copywriting:

• The Formal Style: This form of web copy writing presents information in a clear and concise manner, with an impersonal tone, which some people may often consider bureaucratic. The formal style of writing is usually used for the websites of government institutions, educational institutions and other official bodies, that wish to appear superior and highly professional to their readers. Content in the formal style is generally written in the third person, with a generous sprinkling of jargon and difficult-to-understand terminology. Here is an example of the formal style of writing web copy: "Managing costs effectively can only take a business so far. What an enterprise really requires is accelerated growth. Whether it is entering new market domains, introducing innovative new products, or initiating transformational process changes, companies need to aggressively unlock the key value levers of their business".

• The Informal Style: The informal style of web copywriting addresses the reader directly in a pleasant and courteous tone, presenting some problems the reader may be facing and how the client company can help solve it. It is the most popular style of web copywriting, and usually has call-to-action messages to help generate leads for the company. Here is an example of the informal style of website copy writing: "Are you up to your head in debt? Have your debt problems turned your life into hell? If so, then our debt consolidation services may be exactly what you need. We have helped hundreds of people turn their multiple debt burdens into single, affordable monthly payments, and will help you do the same, with utmost ease. Contact us now for a free quote at..."

• The Persuasive Style: This style of website copy writing promotes the client company as one of the best in the market. It generally boasts about the positives of the business, and why clients should choose it, rather than any of its competitors. This persuasive-style of web copy writing has strong chest-thumping copy, and is usually written in the first person. Here is an example of the persuasive style of website copywriting: "If you are looking for a comprehensive branding platform to build your business, then mycompany.com is what you need. Our specialists are amongst the best in the business, and use the finest online strategies to work wonders for your branding campaign. Thousands of people have tried our amazing services, with outstanding success. Sign up now to experience the full range of benefits we can bring you!"

• The Guarded Style: The guarded style of web copywriting is a style preferred by businesses that fear legal action/malpractice suits brought on by customers; such as medical clinics, dental clinics and cosmetic surgery clinics. This style of writing involves using ambiguous terms like ‘generally, usually, in some cases, often’ in website copy, and a number of disclaimers. The guarded style of writing ensures there are loopholes for company lawyers to use, in case someone sues them regarding information displayed on their website. Here is an example of the guarded style of web copy writing: "Teeth whitening is one of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments. Our dental clinic offers teeth whitening through in-surgery ZOOM whitening, home bleaching kits and other methods. An in-surgery Zoom whitening treatment can usually be completed during a single appointment, in most cases. Generally, most patients notice they look younger after such a teeth whitening treatment."

• The Humorous Style: Writing website content in this style is the most difficult, as humour is subjective, and may not be understood by all readers. What might seem funny to the company management or the copywriter, might seem offensive to the reader or result in a misunderstanding (especially amongst people from other cultures). While humour can be refreshing, the humorous style should always be used cautiously, after verifying that the humour is appropriate for the targeted audience and the needs of the business. A good example of the humorous web copy writing style is ClearWriting.com

Business content, like website copy, should always be professional. While selecting a style for your website content, the number one thing to consider is your targeted audience. What style would make your reader the most comfortable and interested in doing business with you? What style would best suit your business needs? Would you like a combination of styles? Discuss this with your content writing company before they begin work on your project, and you will be assured of sharp website copy that brings in the results you desire.

StarEdits.com has been offering high quality web copywriting services to hundreds of clients for the last five years. If you require well-written content for your website, just email us at info@staredits.com or fill in our Contact Us form today.