In today’s fast-paced business world, effective communication is non-negotiable. Yet, far too often, our writing is bogged down by unnecessary detail, unclear phrasing, or outdated approaches.
Enter Nancy Ancowitz, NYU career director, business writing expert, and author of the book Business Writing: Say More with Less. Nancy recently joined Ross Brand and
on the BrandStack Podcast to discuss how to sharpen your writing skills by embracing clarity, conciseness, and even AI tools like ChatGPT.Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, her insights are perfect for anyone looking to elevate their communication game while staying ethical. Let’s dive into her expert advice!
Why Now Is the Right Time to Rethink Business Writing
Nancy’s latest book comes at a pivotal moment when AI tools are becoming integral to how we communicate. She explains, “How to write clearly and concisely is one of the things we’re missing the most in our business world.”
With emails, texts, and AI-assisted writing taking center stage, brevity and clarity are more important than ever. Nancy’s approach? Less is more. Her book provides actionable strategies to cut the fluff, master clarity, and ensure every word counts.
Nancy’s previous book, Self-Promotion for Introverts®, pioneered popular introvert literature. “If you’re an introvert, you probably spend a lot of time at your keyboard. If you’re an extrovert, you probably need to spend time at your keyboard for a little bit of editing. Either way, this book is for you.”
The Art of Editing: Chop, Chop, Chop
Nancy’s enthusiasm for editing is contagious. “I write way too much,” she admits, but her process involves separating the writer and editor roles. “Send the editor out for coffee when the writer is writing,” she suggests.
Once the draft is complete, the editor comes in with a critical eye: “Chop, chop, chop!”
Editing isn’t about being harsh—it’s about refining your message and respecting your audience’s time. Dale L. Roberts sees the red lines on his edited manuscripts as a sign of progress. So, the next time you’re revising your work, embrace the editing phase as a way to distill your ideas into their most impactful form.
Embracing AI as a Writing Partner
One of the standout moments in the discussion was Nancy’s pragmatic embrace of AI tools like ChatGPT. While some writers dismiss AI as “cheating” or unethical, Nancy sees it as a collaborative partner: “I use it as an active thought partner, an unpaid assistant… but I will always override it.”
Her advice for AI skeptics? Use tools like ChatGPT ethically and intelligently. “It’s smarter than us, and it’s dumber than us,” she notes. The goal isn’t to rely on AI blindly but to use it as a resource to enhance your writing while staying true to your unique voice.
Why You Should Read “Business Writing: Say More with Less”
In today’s competitive landscape, strong written communication can give you an edge. Nancy’s book isn’t just about writing shorter emails or texts—it’s about writing with purpose and impact. Whether you’re job hunting, pitching to clients, or striving for career advancement, her book provides the tools to represent yourself authentically and effectively.
Nancy says, “What’s in it for you is if you’re looking for a job, if you’re looking for clients, if you want advancement in your career, you need to sound good in writing. And to do that, less is more.”
Actionable Takeaways for Better Writing
Edit ruthlessly: Write freely in the drafting phase, but be prepared to cut irrelevant words during editing.
Use AI ethically: Treat tools like ChatGPT as collaborators, not replacements for your skill and judgment.
Focus on clarity: Ensure every word has a purpose and aligns with your audience’s needs.
Embrace simplicity: A concise, well-edited piece of writing is always more impactful than a verbose one.
Conclusion: Write Smarter, Not Harder
In a world where attention spans are short, and communication channels are evolving rapidly, mastering concise and clear writing is a superpower. Nancy Ankowitz’s advice is a wake-up call for all of us to rethink how we write, edit, and even collaborate with AI. As she says, “Less is more.”
What’s one step you can take today to make your communication more impactful? Share your thoughts in the comments and check out Nancy’s book, Business Writing: Say More with Less, for a deeper dive into these transformative strategies.
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Resources
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Links from this episode:
📚 Business Writing: Say More with Less — book by Nancy Ancowitz
➡️ Self-Promotion for Introverts® — book by Nancy Ancowitz
Ross’ Links:
➡️ Ross Brand on Substack:
📚 100 Livestreaming & Digital Media Predictions, Volume 5 - book by Ross Brand: https://geni.us/100v5
📚 Video Podcasting Made Easy - book by Ross Brand & Kevin Kolbe: https://geni.us/vidpod
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➡️ Executive BrandCast - podcast strategy & production services: https://executivebrandcast.com
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Dale L. Roberts
🎬 Main YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/@dalelroberts
🎙️ Podcast Channel: https://youtube.com/@selfpubwithdale
📚 Networking for Authors: https://amzn.to/3C7pxDa
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📚 Advanced Self-Publishing for Authors: https://amzn.to/3YpzdAt
📚 Self-Publishing for New Authors: https://amzn.to/40sz3eo
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