As any parent with young children will tell you, kids have no problem asking questions. Even the simplest declaration can set off an avalanche of inquiries that would make the most experienced journalist proud. They leave no possibility unexplored and are committed to revealing every detail.

When writing a story for your email newsletter or blog that requires fact gathering via research or interviews, it is important for us to ask all the right questions as well. I have learned over the last 25 years or so that the most important part of the story-writing process is making sure to ask the questions that your readers would ask if they had the same opportunity.

Of course, we all know about the six biggies – who, what, why, where, when and how – and if those are all answered you should be in pretty good shape. In reality, though, it is not always that simple. Unless you are writing about an upcoming church bake sale, you need to understand the subject as well as possible and then get at the heart of what your story should really be about.

If it is profile of a supporter, for example, don’t waste time asking about resume stuff, ask about what motivates them to be part of your organization. Ask them who they respect. Ask them what advice they would give the next generation of supporters.

Here’s another helpful hint: Listen to what they are saying. It is really easy to write down their answers and move on instead of listening and following up with another question that could shed light on something you did not expect. Many times, that is where the best stuff comes from.

So while I am not recommending that your treat your next interview subject like a parent who just announced the family is going to the zoo tomorrow, I do encourage you to take a moment to think about what you need to ask. Make a list of questions ahead of time that covers all the bases, and then step back and ask yourself what else someone reading this would want to know. Go beyond the obvious to get to the place that allows you to tell a great story.

And that will be a huge step toward making you a better writer.

I have developed somewhat of a bad habit at home. I don’t necessarily think it’s bad, but based on some recent body language I have received, I may need to rethink my position on it. Every once in a blue moon, I may correct someone on the way they are using a word or phrase. Not in an obnoxious way, of course, but more in the saying back the correct word in a childlike tone as if asking if that is what they really meant to say way.

See, I told you it wasn’t obnoxious.

What else am I supposed to do? I am a writer. An editor, for Pete’s sake. It is my vocational duty to enforce the rules of proper word usage on those I love. I think Strunk and White would be proud of me.

It is important to note that there are many similar words from which one may choose to communicate a thought, but far too often people use words that simply do not mean what they think they mean. And I am not talking about using words that are not even words – such as irregardless. I mean choosing the exact word that means precisely what you mean and nothing less.

When writing your email newsletters and blogs, don’t give in to the temptation to be close enough. If you can’t think of the right word, leave XXXs and come back to it. Use a thesaurus or online dictionary or tweet your conundrum and see what responses you get. (That was a test – a conundrum is a riddle with an answer that is or involves a pun –  clearly not the right word but used like that a lot.)

Even the most mundane pieces can come to life when time is taken to choose words carefully. Your readers deserve your best effort.

What are some of your favorite misuses of words?

Tips for Better E-newsletter and Blog Writing (No. 10)

As a longtime editor and reader of intern-penned articles, I often was faced with explaining why their papers were overwhelmed with red ink. My opening line was usually, “It’s not as bad as it looks.” Although, usually it was.

I then would go through their stories — item by item — and explain the reasoning for my suggestions. We would spend time working on bad grammar, inconsistent style and faulty construction, but what I really tried to focus on was the concept that writing is about communicating an idea. It is about gathering facts and presenting them in an unbiased fashion so the reader can draw their own conclusions. Or it is about having a point of view and revealing it in a compelling way.

Certainly, good writing requires a fundamental and technical understanding of the language and the rules that we must follow. But it is the art of writing that captures people’s hearts, builds trust and changes opinion.

So like I would tell my interns, let’s works on the nuts and bolts as we go along, but put your energy in the message. Tell your story. Let it fly and then come back and clean it up. No one will care about a missed comma when they have been moved.

And even if they do, at least it’s a comment on your blog.

In my business, every day is different, which is a big reason why I like it so much. Over the last two days, I have been writing about the falling price of recreational land in southwest Georgia, the governor’s visit to a local manufacturing company, and the virtues of a new wellness center.

Tomorrow, it will be law enforcement and eye care.

My job allows me to learn a little bit about a lot of things, which can be very dangerous during times when my inner Cliff Claven emerges with one too many “little known facts.” Whether at a business networking event, or facing the temptation of Twitter and Facebook begging me to post an interesting tidbit, I do my best to show restraint. After all, it is in my best interest not to get into a deep conversation about something I really know very little about.

The fact is I don’t need to know a lot about the subjects on which I write, because it is my job to find the people who do, ask them the right questions and then make it understandable and even compelling to the reader. That is what writers do. That is what we get paid (a little bit) for.

Whether it is an in-house marketing manager or an outsourced writer or editor, using experienced communications professionals really does make a difference. Especially when times are tough, small-business owners and managers should stick to what they do best and find the right people to help where needed.

It allows them to stay focused on their business. And it helps people like me look smarter at parties.

Dave Fiore is the founder of davemail.

A client emailed me last week to ask how I decide the right questions to ask when interviewing a subject for a profile piece. She was concerned about focusing too much on his accomplishments at the expense of exploring the more revealing aspects of his life. She rightfully wants her readers to really know the person, not just be familiar with his resume.

People profiles, whether for an email newsletter or academic journal, often are the most difficult stories to write. That’s because an experienced writer is always looking for a good hook that will make the reader care enough to finish the story (or at least read past the headline), and they are not always easy to find. Sometimes, it takes a little digging.

First, get the basic info with a Google search and by simply asking an assistant for a current bio – that way you can skip the questions about their hometown, college and the boards on which they sit. You may want to break the ice with an easy question – maybe about what they are doing now and why they enjoy it. Then, once you have them talking, you can start working on what you are really after.

The goal is to gain insight into what makes the subject tick. In this case, the person is being honored for his leadership activities, so start by asking why he is so committed to his chosen organizations and what he has gained from serving as their leader. Ask what makes a good leader. Ask what he learned from serving others and why he encourages others to do so. Ask what advice he would give younger leaders. Ask how being a leader has changed him over the years. Ask him why he kept saying “yes.”

Of course, you may not need to ask all those questions, but you get the idea. Get them talking about their passions, and the story should write itself. People who love to lead usually love to talk – so let them.

Dave Fiore is founder and CEO of davemail.