4 quick ways to get your workspace organized
Is your desk and workspace tidy? Some believe a messy desk shows creativity, others that it’s a sign of an equally disheveled mind. At a meeting of my local freelancer group (HPCA) last week, we learned that it’s okay to be a little untidy, but it’s...
Simple blogging tips (or, don’t do what I did!)
I’ve been doing what I think of as “spelunking” (isn’t that a great word?) — digging around in the caves of this blog. With the wisdom of my seven years of blogging, I can look back and clearly see ways I could have done a better blogging...
Sending an email newsletter? Here are a dozen ‘don’ts’
If you publish an e-newsletter, remember to keep in mind “what’s in it for my reader?” Doing so will help you avoid the mistakes that often cause readers to unsubscribe or ignore your messages. Many of the items on the following list are the “don’ts” listed in the...
The most epic, amazing, all-star, kick-ass blog post ever
Sorry for what may be a misleading headline. This post is not the most epic, amazing, etc. one ever; but do you notice how so many people are casually attaching those words to any blog post? A search for “epic blog posts” or “kick-ass blog...
Have some fun with collective nouns
A large flock of crows swooped overhead as I walked the dog one day. Although it was early morning, my brain dimly recalled the official name is a murder of crows, in the obscure naming convention of “collective nouns.” I looked up collective nouns, and...
Accessible websites boost SEO, too
Good design and clear, simple writing are two aspects of creating accessible websites that not only meet new Canadian regulations — they’ll also improve your search results. At a meeting of the Halton-Peel Communications Association last week, my colleague...
Give and get the lowdown on shopping in Toronto
You’re in a new city, perhaps for a conference or other business. Most of your time is mapped out, but you want to pick up a souvenir or gifts for family back home. Or maybe you forgot to pack the right shoes, or you spilled coffee on your lap. Where do you go?...
Cold winter breathes new life to frosty words
Snow is again falling, the story of the winter of 2013-2014 for much of the eastern United States and Canada. It’s barely February, so there is much winter to come. Even skiers can’t be happy about this, when blowing snow creates whiteout conditions for...