I came across a list of ideas for improving your writing courtesy of advertising legend David Ogilvy. Ogilvy sent this list as a memo to employees of ad agency Ogilvy and Mather back in September 1982. Thirty years later, the advice still rings true – copy rules on the Web. I won’t share them all here but you should be sure to read it in its entirety.

The biggest takeaway for me? People who think well, write well.

Writing is absolutely a craft and can be improved; people aren’t necessarily born writers. However, even if writing may not be a big part of your job, communicating is a part of everyone’s job – and that includes writing. How many emails do we send a day? What about putting together presentations or speeches or even just communicating with colleagues. All of that can be improved by how well you write.

My favorite ideas from Ogilvy’s list:

- Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.

– Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning—and then edit it.

– If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.

What’s your best tip for good writing?

Mine is to read more! I grew up reading constantly and think that has played no small part in my love of writing.