If you are a business employee, you write to communicate. You use communication channels, including text messages, emails, newsletters, reports, memos, and proposals. But writing in the business world demands different skills—skills not necessarily learned in school.
So, how do you go from a blank page to writing and communicating effectively and clearly? Business writing books help greatly in achieving effective communication by establishing good business writing skills.
What are the Best Business Writing Books?
Business working professionals and writers have drafted books that teach multiple techniques to achieve proficiency in communication through business writing. Business writing covers business letters, emails, memos, business proposals, cover letters, articles, business strategies, and business reports, all of which are essential in the business world.
These books are essential for aspiring writers looking to improve their business writing skills and pursue a career in writing. Among these, finding the best book can significantly enhance your writing abilities by providing top-quality insights and techniques from renowned authors.
Business books provide unlimited knowledge to polish your technical writing skills. A business writing book is a written guide that contains details on the writing process and writing techniques to create effective business documents such as reports, memos, newsletters, project proposals, and emails.
Below, we list some of the best books, how much money they cost, and their respective authors.
1. HBR Guide to Better Business Writing
This book is written by Bryan A. Garner, who is a grammarian, a lexicographer, and an American Lawyer. Bryan has published over 25 books and is a well-known author. Bryan also served as an editor-in-chief for the world’s most cited lawbook, Black’s Law Dictionary.
The skills learned from this business HBR guidebook by Bryan will help you develop strong writing skills that are essential for effective business communication:
- Grab your reader’s attention
- Trim the extras in your writing
- Sharpen your punctuation and grammar
- Receive credibility from a complex audience
- Express your ideas more persuasively and clearly
Additionally, it aids in streamlining the writing process, making it more efficient and effective.
The book also provides proven techniques for improving your business writing skills.
You can purchase the hardcover for this book for $28.23 USD, while a soft edition is also available on Kindle for $11.33 USD. An audio version of this book is also available for visually impaired knowledge seekers. Visit the page here for more information on this book.
2. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
William Zinsser is the author of this book. William was born in 1922 and published over 18 books. He was not just a writer but also a teacher and an editor. On Writing Well was published in 1976, and 1.5 million copies have been sold since the publication of this book. This writing book is a practical guide for business writers, editors, teachers, and journalists.
On Writing Well is often considered one of the best books for improving writing skills and learning about the craft of writing.
This well-reviewed book provides:
- Fundamental principles of writing
- Guide to writing e-mails and technical business documents
- Sound advice on writing techniques for good business writing
- Valuable tips for sentence construction
Additionally, it aids in streamlining the writing process, making it easier for writers to produce clear and concise content.
On Writing Well is praised by many known authors and researchers all over the globe. The Kindle version of this book is available for $12.99 USD, while a used library binding for the book can be purchased for $9.94 USD. A brand-new copy is available for $18 USD. Head towards this page to view the outline for this book. You can also check different formats available for purchase.
3. The Only Business Writing Book You’ll Ever Need
Laura Brown, from New York, is the author of this book. This book serves as a complete instruction guide with instructions for both business executives and college students who are stepping into business writing.
This book provides:
- A supportive and no-nonsense writing approach
- Seven-step method for business communication
- Ideas to sharpen your confidence in business writing
- Tricks to write persuasive project proposals and grant proposals
- Methods for effective day-to-day emails
- Practical tips for effective communication
- Self-editing skills
- Content creation ideas
- Better grammar, style, and punctuation for business writers
Additionally, it helps improve your writing techniques, making your business communication more effective. Mastering the techniques in this book can significantly contribute to your success in business communication.
This hard copy of this book is available on Amazon for $16.31 USD, while you can purchase a used copy for $9.98 USD. You can also access the kindle version of the book for $14.72 USD. For more information about the book outline, visit this page here.
4. Business Writing for Dummies
The author, Natalie Canavor, believes that good writing skill is not just about playing with words, it’s about good writing resulting from good thinking. The author provides professional tricks, shortcuts, and tips for business writing. The author also presents technical writing techniques that lead to achieving effective communication.
This book is an excellent resource for aspiring writers who want to develop their business writing skills.
This book will help you learn:
- The methods to avoid common pitfalls of writing that distract the attention of a reader
- The basic principles of business writing
- Useful tips for revision and self-editing
- Advises along with examples of letters, emails, reports, proposals, and press releases
- Key factors of persuasive business communication
- Methods to tailor your writing for international readers/audience
Additionally, it offers insights into various writing techniques to enhance your overall writing skills.
This book carries a total rating of 4.6 out of 5. A new paperback edition of this book is available on Amazon for $49 USD, while used versions are available for $2.99 USD. You can access the soft copy on Kindle for $22.99 USD. For information on the book outline and shipping costs, visit this page here.
5. Words that Sell
This book was written and published by Richard Bayan. Richard Bayan was born in New Brunswick. He has served in Day-Timers as a copy-in-chief for over 14 years. This book carries an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5.
This book provides:
- A list of 75 persuasive and powerful phrases and words
- Guide to nourishing creative thinking
- Techniques of copywriting and writing memos
- Useable list of jargon, misspelled, and confusing words and phrases
- Practical examples of business communication content
Additionally, it aids significantly in the writing process by offering structured guidance and practical tips. The techniques in this book can help you develop strong writing skills that are essential for effective business communication.
Words That Sell can be purchased on Amazon for $12.08 USD. While the used versions are also available for $2.49 USD. You can access the soft version of this book through Kindle for $9.99 USD. The book also helps promote business products and services. If you are a business writer looking to improve your business writing skills, then this book is a good choice. For more details on the book outline, formats, and shipping costs, visit the link to the book here.
Our Recommendation
All of the above-mentioned literature on business writing serves its purpose well. You can research the provided links to analyze which is the suitable choice for you.
In our opinion, the best book for business writing is HBR Guide to Better Business Writing by Bryan A. Garner. The book has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 and is praised by the majority of buyers and well-known authors. You can level up your business writing skills and learn some appreciable techniques for persuasive business writing. Additionally, the book provides valuable insights into various writing techniques.
How can a Business Writing Book Help Improve Your Writing?
People gain knowledge faster by reading books. A reader visits the mind of the writer while reading a book. This way, the reader reads from a writer’s perspective. They get to the exact information a writer wants to convey. Hence, reading is a true value-added habit.
Reading business writing books can significantly contribute to your success in business communication by teaching you various writing techniques.
If you are looking to improve your technical writing skills, reading a business writing book will help you master good business writing. Business writers with strong business book reading habits gain more knowledge from the books they consume and their business writing skills will keep on improving.
A business book covers all essential methods to write effectively, along with samples. It also delves into the writing process, providing insights on how to structure your thoughts and present them clearly. Here are some aspects of how business books can help you nourish your business documentation skills:
1. Develops Critical Thinking
Reading is the most important thing for writers to keep their knowledge up-to-date. Reading also familiarizes them with the author’s opinions. The same is the case with reading business writing books. A business writing book nourishes the power of the critical thinking trait of the reader. Critical thinking aids you in assessing the business literature in a better way, and you can consume as much knowledge from the book as the author wants to convey.
Moreover, critical thinking significantly enhances the writing process.
2. Introduces a Variety of Styles
The more you read, the more you will get familiar with writing styles. Business book reading provides exposure to effective business writing mechanics and technical techniques. Analyzing the author’s writing style and tone, along with the instructions helps you explore your unique writing tone. This analysis of the author’s writing style will help you grab more technical knowledge and information from business literature. The more idea you have about styles, the more your business letters, emails, and project proposals will become persuasive.
Exposure to different styles also enhances your writing techniques.
3. Expands your Vocabulary
Proficiency in business communication requires spectacular vocabulary. Reading always enhances the vocabulary of a reader. The more you read business books, the better your vocabulary gets. Exploring business literature not only enhances your vocabulary but also provides detailed insights on avoiding jargon. You can get command on easier words through a reading habit. The use of jargon negatively affects the engagement of the reader.
An expanded vocabulary also aids in improving various writing techniques.
4. Exposes New Ideas in your Mind
If you are a business proposal writer, then exploring business literature will air your skills and you can write proposals better in a persuasive tone. You will start getting more and more ideas to write compelling proposals. A book-reading habit charges your skills to generate newer ideas and become better at your job. But to achieve this level of proficiency, you should have a daily habit of business literature reading.
New ideas significantly aid the writing process, making it more efficient and effective.
5. Improves Grammar and Punctuation Skills
It is undeniable that reading improves the command of language skills. Your grammar and punctuation become better through reading. Professionalism is a mandatory requirement in business writing. Good grammar and better punctuation skills improve the professionalism of your notes and make them more comprehensible and meaningful for the audience. This way, you can communicate more effectively with your buyers and business investors.
We can summarize by mentioning the fact that exploring business literature and books nourishes business writing skills. You can achieve an effective communication level if you adopt business literature reading habits on a regular basis. Improved grammar and punctuation also enhance your writing techniques.
Summary
Effective communication in business writing accelerates the business towards its goals and results in better workplace efficiency. Business books provide unbounded knowledge to readers to master persuasive technical writing skills and understand the writing process and writing techniques. Today, you can purchase the majority of great books online. If you are also looking to improve your business writing skills, then visit the links to the provided books by the listed authors.
FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about business writing:
Why is effective business writing important?
Effective business writing is crucial for clear and professional communication within a company and with external partners. It ensures that messages are conveyed accurately, decisions are made efficiently, and business relationships are maintained positively.
What should I look for in a business writing book?
When selecting a business writing book, look for comprehensive coverage of business writing topics, clear and practical advice, examples of effective writing, and exercises to practice your skills. Also, consider the author’s expertise and reviews from other readers.
What skills are essential for good business writing?
Essential skills for good business writing include excellent grammar and punctuation, clarity and conciseness, proper structuring of documents, understanding the audience, and the ability to write persuasively. Good proofreading and editing skills are also crucial.
If you are new to business writing and are looking to better your skills, we recommend taking one of our Technical Writing Certification Courses, where you will learn the fundamentals and advanced skills of business writing.