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David Olgivy On Writing

July 18, 2015 By corinnerodrigues 6 Comments

David Ogilvy was an advertising executive who founded Hewitt, Ogilvy, Benson & Mather, one of the world’s largest advertising firms. He is noted for reminding his colleagues that “the consumer is not a moron” and for the creativity of his ads for brands such as Schweppes and Rolls-Royce.

It’s only natural that we can learn some important writing tips from a man whose stock in trade was words.

david olgivy on writing

David Olgivy On Writing

In 1982 David Olgivy sent a memo about business correspondence to his employees from which we can gather these  writing tips:

  1. People who think well, write well.
  2. Good writing is not a natural gift. You have to learn to write well.
  3. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times. (This is what he is referring to: Writing That Works)
  4. Write the way you talk. Naturally.
  5. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.
  6. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of pretense.
  7. Never write more than two pages on any subject.
  8. Check your quotations.
  9. Never send a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning – and then edit it. (I guess this could well apply to our posts!)
  10. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it. (Feedback from a writing community, perhaps?)
  11. Before you send your letter or memo make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do. (Have a call to action in your posts).

Which point makes the most sense to you?

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#100WordsonSaturday 18 July 2015

How does this work?

  • We give you a prompt.
  • You write a 100 words in response  or write 100 words on any subject* and post it on your blog. Remember to include a link back to this post.
  • You then add the link to our linky below.
  • Then visit and comment on as many linked posts as you can.
  • The linky will stay open until the following Friday.
  • You can grab the 100 Words on Saturday badge here.

Our prompt this week:  Success first then happiness (argee or disagree).

*Please note this change.

An InLinkz Link-up


Filed Under: 100 Words on Saturday, Writing Tips

About corinnerodrigues

A lover of words. A self-acceptance blogger. A blogging coach. A book reviewer. A woman happily journeying through midlife, moving from self-improvement to self-acceptance and enjoying being herself.
Corinne writes at Everyday Gyaan, reviews fiction at CorinneRodrigues.com and encourages writers and bloggers at Write Tribe and offers offline coaching to writers and bloggers at The Frangipani Creative, located in Secunderabad, India.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Success, Happiness or both | Visualize Authenticity says:
    July 22, 2015 at 4:01 am

    […] The 100 Words on Saturday prompt for this week: Success first, then happiness (agree or disagree). […]

    Reply
  2. Success or Happiness – What comes first? | Transition of Thoughts says:
    July 20, 2015 at 1:47 pm

    […] Linking to Microblog Mondays and #100 words on Saturday […]

    Reply
  3. Success Or Happiness? - Everyday Gyaan says:
    July 19, 2015 at 12:53 pm

    […] #100WordsonSaturday prompt over at Write Tribe is : Success first then happiness (argee or disagree). It’s obvious from […]

    Reply
  4. Success first then happiness?  | Reflections.. says:
    July 19, 2015 at 8:07 am

    […] Linking with Write Tribe’s #100WordsonSaturday Prompt – Success first then happiness. […]

    Reply
  5. #100 Words on Saturday# Success First then Happiness | Soul Talk says:
    July 18, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    […] to another interesting #100 Words on Saturday# prompt for the week by Corinne from Write Tribe: Success first then happiness. I am tempted to write because of the 100 words limit which makes the thought easier but the task […]

    Reply
  6. What Comes First - Success or Happiness? - A Rose Is A Rose Is A Rose! says:
    July 18, 2015 at 3:40 pm

    […] Linking this to Write Tribe’s – 100 Words on Saturday Prompt : Success first then happiness (Agree or Disagr… […]

    Reply

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