Great resource for freelancers: The Independent Life
If you’re a freelance communicator or other entrepreneur, or thinking about becoming one, here’s a great resource. IABC/Toronto’s special interest group, Professional Independent Communicators (PIC), has produced an e-book that pulls together the...
5 tips for saying you’re sorry
Employees, customers and others who have been wronged by corporate action/inaction want and deserve an apology. Yet lawyers and executives are wary of what could be seen as “admitting fault.” As Elton John sings, “Sorry” does indeed seem to be the hardest word. But...
Secrets of podcasting success revealed
If Donna Papacosta had to do it all over again, she’d rename her podcast something other than “Trafcom News.” Yet 10 years ago, she was just linking to her business (Trafalgar Communications) and her website. Her advice now? “Choose a meaningful name,” she told...
Shocking stats on International Literacy Day
My sons were big readers growing up, and their teachers often commented that they could tell. Something about the vocabulary and the spelling, even though the boys didn’t actively try to learn new words. When parents read to and with their children, it just happens....
Stop using this phrase like a boss
Not to be like the old guy on the porch yelling, “You kids get off my lawn!” or anything, but here’s another phrase that’s starting to annoy me: “Like a boss.” (I last vented about “hacking your life.”) The Telegraph...
Avoid offending with these 7 tips for inclusive language
We’re horrified about it now, but at one time people would say “deaf and dumb” when they meant someone who could not hear or speak. Language evolves, and we’ve come a long way. What was once said without thinking we now recognize as offensive. And just as we need to...PWAC chat summary: All about fees
Consultants and freelancers are always interested in talking about fees. (Are we charging enough? Too much? What’s the going rate?) And so it was a group of us recently took part in a Twitter chat hosted by PWAC, the Professional Writers Association of Canada....
5 lessons in customer service from Ste. Anne’s Spa
My sister-in-law introduced me to the dangerous “robed cult of relaxation” at beautiful Ste. Anne’s Spa in 2012. Getting treatments like hot stone massages or facials, enjoying healthy, delicious meals, staying in comfortable beds in charming...