Linguistic cicadas & other expressive writing, in my December newsletter
You can’t always (ever?) be wildly creative in corporate writing. But you can and should choose words and phrases that are interesting and colourful to help your readers “see” what you mean. I’m always on the lookout for expressive writing, and...
Don’t play ‘bait & switch’ with your links
Have you had this experience? You’re on a website, intrigued by what looks like great content in a tip sheet or a newsletter. You enter your email address to “get your copy” or maybe just “find out more.” Next thing you know, a...
Today’s in-box lesson on email marketing
Lessons we can learn from a retailer who is eager to keep in touch with customers by email (in the spirit of the season, I’ll be kind and not say who it is): Make it personal: Today’s message certainly was. “Hello SUE!” it said in the subject...
7 ways to trim and tone flabby writing
Ready to get that flabby writing in shape? Although most of my time is usually spent writing, I’ve had several proofreading and copy editing jobs lately. These are where I review a document for typos, jargon, wayward punctuation, grammar errors, the passive voice and...
How to choose newsletter content, in November Wordnerdery
I love newsletters. Preferably short, with a nugget or two of value each issue. A sense of humour is also welcome. But if you’re just launching one, where do you start? The November issue of my monthly newsletter suggests starting with your strategy and your intended...
Team up with others for growth (and fun!)
Working with other freelancers can help you bid on projects too big for one person. It’s a growth strategy when you can’t fit any more work into your day. And sometimes, it’s simply a way to work with people you enjoy. Here are some tips for...
Past clients aren’t ‘dead,’ they’re just resting
Don’t think of former clients as “dead” clients. They may just be “resting,” as the shopkeeper tried to say in the famous Monty Python parrot skit. If you had a good relationship with past clients once, you may be able to rekindle it or encourage a...
Networking? You (still) need a business card
Twice in the last two weeks, I ran into people I knew at a networking event. They were networking. Actively seeking work. Meeting new people. Neither one had a business card. Some people think that a printed business card is terribly old school. Yet it’s still...