This week saw more “churn” on Twitter as CEO Elon Musk branded Canada’s public broadcaster, CBC News, as “government-funded media.” This tag was originally intended to warn users about China’s state media, suggesting government involvement in the content, aka propaganda.
CBC News is rightfully offended. As I write this, it has “paused” its participation in Twitter as it tries to argue that it receives public funding but is editorially independent and trusted. There’s no arguing with Musk, really, who increasingly seems like he has nothing better to do than tinker with his new toy.
All that to say if you are even still on Twitter, you may well have missed some of the interesting content that’s still out there, despite the chaos. My latest roundup of posts you might have missed includes thoughts on newsletters, print publications (yes, they are still around!) and new and possibly controversial words.
Newsletters
Demystifying email newsletter open, click and read rates, by Jackie Berg for Brilliant Ink.
Five tips from Tribe Inc. to make digital newsletters easy, like “Show the human side” and “Use the Q&A format.”
Ann Handley answers the question many of us have asked: “Should you publish a LinkedIn newsletter or a traditional newsletter? Short answer is yes to LI, if you can check three requirements, but remember: You Don’t Own The Data.
Print publications
How to reach “deskless” and remote workers, including coming up with personas, figuring out smartphones and – gasp – bringing back print. By Jim Ylisela.
A printed employee publication “provides a robust channel of communication to all those non-wired workers in manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare and other industries with employees who are moving targets.” See five reasons for print in another one-pager from Tribe Inc.
Words
The changing world of work has led to an influx of new vocabulary, says Collins Dictionary. They’ve compiled nine words to add to your professional vocabulary, from “quiet quitting” to “quiet firing,” and “freelance” makes a comeback. We’re no longer swords for hire, but skills for hire. Sounds about right!
New words at Dictionary.com include “cakeage” (like a corkage fee when you bring in wine to a restaurant, but for cake), “hellscape” (a place or time that’s hopeless, unbearable; not new but for some reason has seen a spike in usage lately), and “petfluencer” (someone who gains a large following on social media by posting entertaining photos of their pet).
Here’s a controversial one. “Once considered an unsophisticated term, ‘youse’ may be one of the most gender-neutral ways to address others,” says Edward Robert MClelland in Chicago Mag. Ugh. But is it better than ‘you guys’? Or ‘y’all’?
What other helpful, interesting or surprising posts have you found online? Please share in the comments or drop me a note.
Link image from Henry Perks on Unsplash.
Related reading:
Links from February, all about writing, editing and proofreading
Links from January, with guidelines for accessibility, pronouns and inclusion
Links from December, all about tone, structure, angle and more in your writing