Blog
Be shameless in business
I find it funny how the word 'shameless' either conjures images of that Channel 4 series, or someone who's shockingly brazen. As in "Did you see her shameless plug for her business at the event yesterday?". Yet shame is one of our most crippling conditions. Feeling...
Want to write copy that connects? Ask these five questions.
The sun is shining at last! Is finally spring on its way? This is a short little blog on copy I've been meaning to post for some time, and this sunny, end of week energy has finally prodded me into action. I'm all about compassionate copywriting. The point of...
Copy minus compassion: three ways to drive your reader away
Several years ago I was walking in York when a 'monk' stepped in front of me, thrust a clipboard into my face, said he was raising money, showed me lots of people who'd signed a form pledging £20 each (all with amazingly similar handwriting) and asked me how much...
What can lighthouses teach us about blogging?
Lighthouses have cropped up a few times over the last few days. And not just because I had a micro-adventure on the wilds of the North Yorkshire coast. I launched my blog buzz programme last week. I love blogs. Writing them and reading them. As I talk about here,...
How to write an awesome ‘how to’ blog
So we've talked about why to blog, and we've talked about making it easy to read. But, when you're sitting there looking at a blank screen, what in the world do you write about? It will depend on your purpose. If you're looking to promote a product or service, you'll...
Five quick tips to improve the readability of your blog
I'm no grammar expert. I taught English as a Second Language for a year back in the 1990s and my mind was blown. If you asked me to explain the past perfect continuous without reference to my trusty copy of 'Practical English Usage' I'd be lost. Neither am I a grammar...
Business blogging tips: blog on purpose
Lately I've been talking to people who are either just setting up, or have been in business a while and want to start a blog. This is music to my ears. Blogs are beautiful, potent forces for good: good for your business, your readers, your writing. Getting started,...
Home page copy questions to ask yourself
What's your home page there to do? It's there to let people know they're in the right place. Then it's there to show them you understand what they need and you can do something about it. It's your job to make it as easy as possible for them to see they're in the right...
Writing copy? Do these things to connect and sell
I don't think it's always necessary to get hung up on the correct terminology. Much more important to be clear in what you're saying than worry about fancy words. But a few people have asked me the same question recently. They want to know what 'copy' is. They know...
What’s hot and what’s not in 2018
Like many small business owners I'm using January to reflect and plan (and do my tax return at the last minute). I'm someone who loves reflection time. In fact, it can be a bit of a weakness. I can spend so much time reflecting and mulling and planning that I forever...
Start the year with your head held high
I felt a little stung this week. Someone told me they didn't particularly like what I wrote (not for a client, I hasten to add). They just didn't like what I was offering and the way I wrote. It wasn't for them. Now, I say *all the time* to my clients that they won't...
Honouring the call to go slow
There's a sign at the dance studio where my daughters do street dance. I like it so much I took a photo a few weeks ago. This advice has served me well this year. 'Do it anyway' has been a bit of a mantra of mine, all through late spring and summer. Not feeling like...
