We writers have the well-earned reputation for not being the best at people skills, which is unfortunate because it’s certainly not always true. Writing is a people-centered business even though we spend a good amount of time sitting in front of a screen typing.

Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement. Even if you’re an outgoing people person, you can always use a reminder of the basics. Here are four key people skills every writer needs.

1. Look people in the eye when speaking to them. This communicates that you’re engaged. Even if you’re on a Zoom call, look at the camera instead of looking at the person on your screen. It makes a difference in the way the other person perceives your relatability and social skills.

2. Smile when you greet people. Those first few moments of an interaction make a huge difference in how the whole conversation will go. Even if you’re not feeling it, smile anyway and you will start to feel happier soon. This also works on Zoom calls. Those first few seconds of the calls will generally determine how the conversation will go.

3. Be a listener. In our world of short attention spans, it’s hard to listen carefully. But this is an area where we writers excel. It’s been said, “God gave us two ears and one mouth because we should listen twice as much as we speak.” That’s probably true. When you listen and ask good questions, you draw out the best in others.

4. Answer messages quickly. Whether it’s social media messages, text messages, or emails, make sure to get back to people quickly. The standard is 24-48 hours. You will immediately stand out from others when you do this, since many people take a long time to answer messages. It communicates that you are responsive and attentive.

Those are just a few important people skills for writers. When you practice them consistently, you will have better relationships and more success. These little things make a huge difference.

Daily Question: Which one of these is an area where you need the most work?

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