Twitter, pith, and improving practical writing skills

Over the past several months or so, I've noticed a significant change in my professional written communications. For the most part, my reports, memos, and summaries are shorter, more succinct, and easier to understand by superiors. There are a number of factors that can contribute, especially the fact that I am now experienced enough with fellow staff that I can effectively write to serve their needs. However, another personal development may make a positive impact: a healthy Twitter habit.

Most days, I do find a few minutes to go on Twitter, either by PDA or through bit.ly (a url shortener w/Twitter interface), to post updates on happenings at work and activities with local groups. I also highlight articles I find when researching work topics that could prove useful and interesting to others.

Regardless of what the subject is, the length constraints of a Twitter post challenge my ability to convey enough information to summarize the topic so a reader of my message can understand it, as well as encourage them to visit the length (if one exists). At most, I have 140 characters to work with. If I post a URL, that number drops to usually 120. Whatever I want to say, regardless, has to be about 25 words, or less.

As many posts on this blog illustrate, the effective summation of ideas and thoughts, a.k.a. pithiness, is not a big strength. One of the biggest complaints of blogs from media traditionalists is that the lack of space conventions and restrictions discourages the effectiveness of the topics presented. That is a fair criticism, one that has been modified in some ways by recent social networking developments, especially Twitter.

This past week, a struggling author and "media expert" attempted to draw some attention his way by stating in a press release that Twittering can cause brain damage. He pulled his release shortly thereafter, only once he created enough hostility that people asked questions and increased his notoriety. While he provided no scientific or medical facts either way, commenter's to the article did argue that the process of creating tweets, if utilized properly, can improve personal performance. With respect to writing, it could not come a moment too soon for most of us.

Effective tweeting is not the spontaneous "off your chest" pronouncements we see way too often (and post way too often), but rather action-directing statements and recommendations that are carefully considered, edited multiple times, and focused on achieving a desired result on the part of the reader. These are the same challenges we often face in writing for work, especially when we are in a role that we have to convey analysis and findings to gain acceptance for proposals in a manner that wins support, rather than creates additional questions.

If one wants to utilize Twitter to improve their professional writing skills, consider regular (daily, if possible) updates involving links to articles and sites of note. Again, if you link on Twitter, you need to use a url shortener site (like bit.ly). These sites can also track how many people utilize the link, an indication of your effectiveness in conveying your desired message.

Transitioning these professional writing skill improvements to regular communication, especially written letters and reports, requires an existing understanding of traditional writing and grammar rules. Just like with other abbreviated forms of communication, it is important to make sure that the conceptual and theoretical benefits of Twitter are carried forward, not the technical environment that encourages shorthand language and abbreviations.

The benefit eventually shows us in your memos and reports. They'll possess fewer words, especially the extra ones bosses never like. Potentially, skill development such as this leads to greater opportunities within a given employer or field.

If you happen to be on Twitter and want to see how I use my tweets to improve summarizing skills, you can follow me at http://twitter.com/kwhunter. If technology doesn't scare you and the quest for information and capacity for effective analysis interest you, skill development methods such as Twitter for professional writing are great, cost effective means to develop a foundation of strengths that foster better individual futures.