$4.1 million per year

I often get asked how to think about the “ROI” of effective writing in business.

It’s not always as visible as the “ROI” of increasing sales or decreasing operational costs, but it is no less impactful.

Let me give you one example.

Check out this crazy math:

The average corporate employee spends 4 hours per day on written communication. If you apply a median U.S. based salary, that costs ~$41,000 per year per person.

If you have 100 people, that time costs your company $4.1 million per year.

200 people = $8.2 million
500 people = $20.5 million
1,000 people = $41 million

Writing and reviewing emails, Slacks, project docs, etc.

Now ask:

• How many emails do you see that feel way too long?

• How many projects are rambling and unstructured?

• How many leadership updates include non-critical information?

• How many sales emails get in the way of the customer making a decision?

• How many internal messages lack clarity and therefore decrease alignment?

My hunch is you see these opportunities for improvement everywhere.

In my experience, I think these costs should be cut in half (if not more with AI).

This is just one direct example of the “ROI” of simple and effective writing.

I am building a writing education business to help solve this problem for companies and help professionals thrive in their careers.

The first training cohort — Simple Writing Team 1 — is running this month and filled up in three days.

The next cohort — Simple Writing Team 2 — will be in July and is now open.

If you’d like to join (or want people in your company to join), reply to this email and I’ll get you in.

Cheers,

Teddy