writing and blogging
Like everyone else, we were thrilled to see 2020 leave town on the horse it rode in on (trailing a few folks behind it, eating dust with every clip-clop). The year even had the audacity to extend the collective trauma it inflicted on us into January, with the seditious attack on the Capitol and the…
What drives a great story? The devil does, of course. Having something interesting to say–what novelists would call a good plot–is essential, but a great story hinges on its minutia. Details matter. Generalizations are boring. Unfortunately, minutia can also be as boring as hell. Too much of it, that is. That’s the devilish pitfall in…
It happens more and more these days. Young, scrappy startups want copy and some taglines for their new app, gizmo, or e-commerce initiative. Maybe they’re even open to a new name. “Tell me about your brand,” I ask to get the ball rolling. Is there an existing style guide? Press releases, sell sheet, or an…
We’ve all seen it. We’ve even all done it. The typo, the doubled or omitted word, the malaprop. At best, it’s a barely noticeable oversight; at worst, you’ve become a hilarious “editing fails” meme. Whether you’re editing your own writing or someone else’s, we have some tips to help prevent “sloppy copy” and make your…
SEO, aka Search Engine Optimization, is the process of analyzing and improving a website to increase rankings on search engine results pages (or as SEO geeks call it, SERPs). When a user searches for something on a search engine, the pages that come up on the first page are considered the most relevant, best results…
The internet has made it possible for U.S. companies and organizations to expand their reach into international markets. Whether you’re a small business marketing products in other countries, a nonprofit bringing your mission to other regions in need, or a global enterprise with offices around the world—writing for international audiences poses unique challenges. For starters,…
Case studies are a great way to show how your business helps customers solve problems in the real world. A well-written case study uses lively quotes, interesting examples, and juicy anecdotes to engage prospects and differentiate your business from the competition. Most clients should be happy to talk about their experiences and toot both your…
SEO loves long form content, and, so do readers. But, there’s more to a successful long form piece than 2,000 words, and that’s where good design comes in. In 2020, good design isn’t just desirable; it’s expected. But, how do you elevate your long form online output with good design? What are the leading creators…
To say that times are tough seems trite, at this point. For the last six weeks, if not longer in some places, people have been living in a “new” reality where shelter-in-place orders, face masks, and grim medical statistics are the norm. Businesses (of any size) aren’t immune to this pandemic, either: the Atlantic reports…
“It was a lone voice in the middle of the ocean, but it was heard at great depth and great distance.” ― Gabriel García Márquez, Love in the Time of Cholera So many leaders and companies have been posting about their experiences during this crisis that it’s hard to find something new to say. And…
