Joe Latta

Joe Latta specializes in helping organizations create clear, persuasive marketing and proposal content. He is the director of business writing and editing at Freestyle Editorial Services and is co-author of A Blog for the Comma Man.

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Articles by Joe Latta

• 6 tips for fast text formatting in Microsoft Word

  Wednesday, January 28, 2015

  For nearly 25 years, Microsoft Word has been the dominant word-processing application in the business world. But according to data from Microsoft's Customer Experience Improvement Program, today's professionals rarely use Word to its full capacity. In fact, they found that of its more than 1,200 functions, just five (paste, save, copy, undo and bold) account for nearly one-third of all function use.

• 6 new time-saving features of Microsoft Word

  Tuesday, December 16, 2014

  If you work on proposals, chances are you use Microsoft Word. In fact, a Forrester report found that more than 90 percent of companies run some version of Word, while less than 8 percent run any of its competitors.

• Halos and pitchforks: The power of a positive first impression

  Wednesday, October 22, 2014

  ​You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The adage is old, but when it comes to proposals and presentations, it's as important as ever. In fact, even the briefest of first impressions can become the lens through which a prospect views all of your remaining messages.

• What’s first? How sequencing can improve your persuasion and win rates

  Wednesday, August 27, 2014

  When it comes to proposals and presentations, order matters. In fact, studies have found that even with outstanding, prospect-focused content, changing just its sequence can have profound effects on a prospect's understanding, recall and impression of your key messages.

• Repetition: Making prospects remember your key messages

  Wednesday, July 30, 2014

  ​Think about your most recent proposal or presentation. Did you use clear, s​imple messaging? Great. Did you limit your focus to the three (plus​ or minus one) main benefits your service/product will provide to your prospect? Even better. Did your prospect remember them? Don't be so sure.

• 3 is a magic number — for proposals and presentations

  Wednesday, July 16, 2014

  ​Chances are your organization has lots of compelling features and benefits. Most do. But when crafting a proposal or presentation, how many should you highlight for your prospect? Five? 10? According to cognitive psychologists, it's probably less than you think.

• 4 reasons to keep your content simple

  Tuesday, June 10, 2014

  Your prospects are bombarded with persuasive messages — 400 per day, according to psychologist Kevin Dutton. Moreover, research shows that 81 percent of those messages contain more written or verbal content than is necessary, encouraging audiences to tune out, gloss over and move on.

• 5 tools for averting proposal disaster

  Wednesday, April 16, 2014

  We all know that proper planning and communication can go a long way to preventing last-minute proposal chaos. But let's be honest: Every proposal writer, no matter how prepared, has felt the stress of a down-to-the-wire proposal submission.

• 7 tips for working with subject-matter experts

  Friday, March 21, 2014

  ​Marketing and proposal writers are used to overcoming obstacles. But one challenge continually stands above the rest — working with subject-matter experts. That's why I'm exploring seven simple steps for getting the content you need, when you need it, from your firm's technical folks.

• 5 time-saving tips for using PDFs in proposal writing

  Wednesday, March 12, 2014

  ​In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, many professional services firms are submitting more proposals and dedicating more time to their research, development and customization. For instance, in the legal field, a recent LexisNexis study found that 42 percent of firms have increased their proposal volume over the last 12 months; only 7 percent have decreased.

• 4 ways to streamline your proposal review process with PDFs

  Monday, February 03, 2014

  The draft review and approval process can be stressful for any proposal writer. You just spent days crafting a clear, compliant document, and now various senior executives and subject matter experts — many of whom have only a basic understanding of Microsoft Word formatting and review functions — are wading through it.

• 9 steps to more concise business writing

  Tuesday, January 14, 2014

  In today's world of ultratasking and information overload, being concise is more important than ever. Whether reading a short email or 500-page business proposal, your audience typically doesn't have the time or desire to search for information.

• 4 ways to improve your next electronic proposal submission

  Monday, December 16, 2013

  Proposal professionals have long explored ways to optimize their hard copy submissions, from adjusting paper colors, tabs and binding types to developing unique packaging materials. However, as many government and commercial organizations shift to electronic-only submission requirements, a new challenge has emerged: how to optimize a proposal file.

• 8 exercises for strengthening your business writing

  Thursday, December 05, 2013

  Writing skills are essential for today's business professionals. Don't believe me? Consider this: A study from data services provider SunGard found that approximately 90 percent of business communications are now via electronic text. That's right, whether you're an accountant, architect, advisor or administrator, writing is a key part of your job.

• 10 downtime activities for proposal writers

  Tuesday, November 19, 2013

  ​Proposal writing is time-consuming work, often with 16-hour days, nonexistent weekends and deadline-driven chaos. Add in the effects of staffing shortages and industry fluctuations, and many writers have only occasional — and brief — lulls in workload.

• 101 bad business buzzwords — and why you should avoid them

  Tuesday, November 05, 2013

  Today’s marketing and proposal materials are littered with important-sounding words that have no real value. Seamless, top-notch, world-class, laser-focused, and best of breed. We've all been guilty of using terms like these in place of meaningful descriptors.

• 9 steps to effective business emails

  Wednesday, October 16, 2013

  Email communication is a key part of nearly every project, client relationship and business development effort. In fact, according to a study by the Radicati Group, this year the average corporate employee will dedicate 28 percent of each workday to email, sending and receiving more than 115 messages.

• The ultimate proposal editing checklist: 7 steps to a more persuasive document

  Thursday, September 26, 2013

  Proposals are important. And with a growing focus on procurement transparency and objectivity, a high quality proposal can mean the difference between a big win and an almost-was.

• 5 steps to clearer marketing and business writing: The Bob Vila edition

  Thursday, September 12, 2013

  Clear, straightforward business writing can do a lot: Get you hired, get you promoted, save you time and make you money.