Career Skills: How to Write a Business Memo

If you want to improve your chances of career advancement, it's important to know how to communicate with clarity, be empathetic, and choose the right medium. 

These skills will be especially helpful when you're writing a business memo. It is necessary to create these more often than you might think.

Since they need to be brief and concise, it can be difficult to know how to write them for the first time. To make things easier for you, we have created a guide that explains everything you need to know about writing a company memo. 

Keep reading if you want to find out more. 

What Is a Business Memo?

A business memo is a written document that is used to communicate important information within an organization.

It is typically used to convey information such as policy changes, updates on projects, or announcements of upcoming events.

Memos are usually written in a professional tone and are distributed to the appropriate individuals or groups within an organization. They are used for sharing information quickly and efficiently.

They tend to be a preferred method of communication for internal business purposes. 

When Is Writing a Memo Helpful?

You can use memos in a variety of business situations. This includes conveying important updates in policy, announcing upcoming events or projects, or summarizing the results of meetings or discussions.

People typically use them to communicate directives or instructions to employees or teams within an organization. 

In terms of business careers, being able to communicate effectively in written form is essential in many roles. This is particularly the case for those in management or leadership positions.

If you want to advance your career and cannot write a good memo, it may limit your opportunities for growth and advancement.

Improving your memo-writing skills can help you to effectively convey important information. It will also demonstrate your ability to communicate and lead effectively.

State the Purpose 

You should clearly state the purpose of the memo in the introductory paragraph. This will help the reader understand the main focus.

It will need to be specific enough to give the reader a clear understanding of the memo's intent.

By stating the purpose of your message as early as possible, you will help readers to understand if it will be necessary for them to read it. 

You will also be providing the context for the rest of the information in the memo. This will make it easier for the reader to understand how the content relates to the purpose.

Make Use of the Subject Line

In many types of businesses, employees receive a large number of emails and memos on a daily basis. Having a clear and informative subject line can help people understand why they need to read them. 

A clear and informative subject line also makes it easier for the recipient to organize and prioritize their emails. 

Make Use of Body Paragraphs

By using body paragraphs to break down the information in a memo, you will make it easier for readers to understand what you're trying to communicate.

Body paragraphs also allow you to present information in a logical and coherent manner. This will also help you to separate different pieces of information.

This helps the reader to focus on one piece of information at a time, rather than trying to process all of the information at once.

The number of sentences in a body paragraph can vary depending on the complexity of the information being presented. With this being said, try to keep body paragraphs to 3-5 sentences.

Each body paragraph should focus on one specific piece of information or idea. And you should provide details or explanations as needed.

To separate paragraphs effectively, you should focus on the organization of your information. If you are moving on to a new topic or idea, it is a good idea to start a new paragraph.

If you notice that a paragraph is becoming too long or dense with information, consider breaking it up into multiple paragraphs. This will make it more manageable for the reader.

If you want to get plenty of hands-on experience in writing concise body paragraphs, it is a good idea to enroll in an online degree program. 

Know Your Audience

Once you know your audience, it will be easier for you to tailor the content and tone of the memo to the specific individuals or groups who will be reading it.

By understanding the background and needs of your audience, you can ensure that the information you present is relevant and useful to them.

To find out who your audience is, look at the types of businesses or organizations involved.

For example, if you are writing a memo to employees within your own company, you will likely have a good understanding of their backgrounds and needs.

And if you are writing a memo to a group of people outside of your own company, you may need to research their backgrounds and needs. 

You can also look at the position, department, or role of the intended recipients. This can help you identify the level of knowledge or expertise they have on the topic you are going to present.

Use the Right Tone

You will need to use a tone that is professional and formal. The tone should be consistent throughout the memo. It should also reflect the purpose and content of the memo.

Try to avoid using overly casual or informal language. This can make the memo appear less professional.

For example, a serious and straightforward tone would be appropriate if you are writing a memo announcing a change in company policy.

On the other hand, if you are writing a memo announcing an upcoming company event, a more upbeat and enthusiastic tone might be more appropriate.

In terms of business careers, being able to use an appropriate tone in written communication is an important skill.

Being able to convey the right tone can help to ensure that you effectively communicate your message. By doing this, you will demonstrate your professional communication skills.

This can be beneficial for your career advancement in many business fields.

If you struggle with writing, you should consider going back to school. By pursuing a university degree, you will gain important business skills. This will help you to advance your career. 

Make a Closing Statement

Your closing statement should be brief and to the point. It will need to summarize the main points of the memo and provide any necessary next steps or call to action.

The closing statement should leave the reader with a clear understanding of what they need to do next.

There is no specific rule on how long a closing statement should be. But try to make it no longer than a single paragraph.

If you're writing a short memo, your closing statement might only need to be one or two sentences long. Make sure to include the main points of the memo and any relevant contact information or deadlines.

You should also include a polite and professional closing, such as "Thank you for your attention" or "Please let us know if you have any questions."

Proofread Your Memo

When proofreading your memo, it's important to take a thorough and methodical approach. By doing this, you'll catch any errors or inconsistencies. Here are a few tips to help you proofread your memo effectively. 

Read Through the Memo Several Times

The first time you read through the memo, focus on the overall content and organization. The second time, focus on grammar and punctuation. The third time, focus on spelling and typos.

Print Out a Hard Copy

It is a great idea to print out the memo and read it. This will help you catch errors that you might miss when reading the memo on a computer screen.

You should also read the memo backward, starting with the last sentence and working your way to the first.

This can help you focus on individual words and phrases, rather than getting caught up in the overall meaning of the memo.

Check Spelling and Grammar

Online grammar and spell-checking tools can help you catch common errors. But keep in mind that they don't catch everything. this is why it's also essential to manually proofread your memo.

Finally, review the memo once more before sending it. You should check that all the information is accurate and that you have met the intended purpose of the memo.

What to Know About a Business Memo

If you want to advance your career, it is important to know how to write a business memo. Remember to understand your audience, be clear and concise, and proofread your memo before sending it out.

Are you interested in improving your writing skills? If so, you should consider attending an online university. Don't hesitate to contact us to find out more about our various programs!