Everybody Writes

Ok, you caught me. I recommended the first edition of this book in a previous list. But this, my friends, is the second edition which, as the cover art indicates, is 10% funnier than the first.

Ann’s work is a testament to the power of honing your unique voice in a way that makes your work easy to identify, clearly differentiated, and dang near impossible to recreate well. Now that we’re battling it out against generative AI, not just other writers, this book serves as both an instructional guide and a case study on developing a distinct voice, in… show more.

With sharp communication skills, you can do anything. When returning from a conference, you’ll want to share what you have learned in a thoughtful and professional manner, whether it’s to your boss, team, and/or audience.

Ann Handley’s Everybody Writes—which is getting an update in Fall 2022—is a go-to guide for all things writing. It includes sections on how to write better, crafting content, tools, and more. 

Besides, what better way to continue a conversation with a speaker than to see if they’ll let you interview them for your blog... or podcast or livestream?

This book is such a good read for anyone who creates written content (and that’s everybody… hence the title). I have sent this book as a gift to so many people—recent grads, colleagues, clients, and more—that sometimes my go-to online booksellers ask me if I’m sure I want to place my order, since I’ve already ordered the book multiple times prior. (Much like when Netflix asks you if you’re still watching, the answer is a resounding “Yes! Leave me alone and let’s keep this party going!”) My favorite thing about reading Ann Handley’s writing (whether it’s this book, her others,… show more.

Essential Skill #4 for Creatives: Clear communication (especially in writing) 

The world goes at such a fast pace that in order to get your point across, you must be able to communicate clearly. Whether or not you think you can write, this book is for you. Ann and I share a mutual obsession with email newsletters and she writes about writing in a way that makes anyone think they can do it well – because you can! By reading it, you might even learn how to write ridiculously good content.

Ann Handley makes business writing look effortless and fun. But, being a generous soul, she shares her writing secrets freely in this book, which has become something of a classic in the business world. I love her message about having “pathological empathy” for the reader. 

This book is valuable to nearly everyone, no matter what phase of your career you’re in. Everybody writes, as the book says, and we can all do it better.

Any person, whether working as an individual content entrepreneur or creating content inside a brand or media company, needs to understand how to write. There may be no better book in the world than Everybody Writes. Ann breaks down both the strategy (why are you writing and what’s your mission) as well as the tactical issues that all writers need to no. In addition, you don’t need to be an expert writer for this book to work. Just pick it up and enjoy the ride.