In this post, I’ll show you how to start blogging the right way — how to choose the right platform, hosting, and domain name.
How to Start Blogging the Right Way
read more
Writing
Slang and Jargon: Can You Use Them in Business Writing?
Should you use slang in business writing? The best answer is “it depends.” It depends on your audience, your brand, and other factors.
Why You Need a Brand Style Guide
Do you use a brand style guide for your written content? If so, good for you. If not, I hope by the time you finish this post you’re convinced to consider it.
Great Marketing Needs Excellent Writing
=There is nothing more pervasive in the world of marketing than writing. Your business needs a unique writing voice that represents your brand.
Commonly Misused Words
24 Words to Watch Out For These are the most commonly misused words I see online. This post is a quick guide to the correct usage* of these words. Now more than ever, how we speak, write, and express ourselves online is crucial. Good writing can make the difference...
Blogging for Business: What to Write About
How to Generate Blog Topics Your Readers Will Love If you're blogging for business, you know you need to write content on a consistent basis, but don’t we all get stumped from time to time? Sometimes it seems like the ideas just won’t come and if you’re on a deadline,...
Speaking: A Complete Guide to Rocking It
Speaking is one of my favorite parts of my job. I have almost no stage fright, in fact, I have fun in front of an audience and I try to make sure the audience does too. What I've learned is that it's important to be authentic and relaxed, to be yourself, and to care...
Grammar and Punctuation: Make a Great First Impression
You’ve just written a business report, blog post, news article, copy for your website or marketing piece, and you’re ready to hit Publish. But wait — are you sure your copy is error free? Every word you publish under your name or the name of your...
Writing Tool: Expresso
Writing for the internet requires the ability to make a point quickly. Readers are busy and stressed, there is far too much noise online, and few of us have the time or inclination to read long blocks of text. [Tweet "The best online writing is tight, with no...
Editing is Important — Use the Right Words
I've always thought it would be fun to be a technical consultant on a hit TV show. Most shows have advisors of some sort; they are the physicians, attorneys, computer experts, or other professionals who teach actors to correctly pronounce long, complicated...
Copywriting for Your Website — Remember the Words
How's your website? When you think about the answer to that question, you're probably thinking about the look, the design, and the colors. But what about the words? The best-designed website is a waste of time and money if your copy doesn't tell the reader about your...
Facebook: It's Copywriting
If you own a business, or work for a nonprofit or church, it's likely you're an administrator for at least one Facebook page. As it's increasingly difficult for brands and organizations to get traction on Facebook without paying for ads, it's more important than ever...
Display Ads: 3 Quick Copywriting Tips
The other day I was stopped at an intersection behind this truck, with nothing to look at except a plate of yummy Memphis barbecue. I realized that this bit of display advertising and copywriting is an excellent example of how to do it right. The message at the top is...
How to Do the Internet in Style
The other day I outed myself on Instagram. As I do have a bit of pride, it took some guts for me to do it, and some might say it would have been better left unseen. I might agree, except that there's a point. In my own defense (and I realize I need one), I have a...
How to Write: My 8 Secrets
I don't remember a time when I didn't love to write and wasn't obsessed with words. I've done crossword puzzles since childhood and have been known to read the dictionary. I'm a natural writer — by that I mean no one has ever formally taught me how to write, but it's...
Nine Commonly Misused Words
Just like other bad habits, it's easy to fall into sloppy or ill-informed patterns where words are concerned. The more we see an expression — correct or incorrect — the more it becomes burned into our brain. Here are nine words that are commonly misused. Momentarily •...
Don't Let Your Letters Get in the Way of Your Message
I stopped behind this van the other day at a stop sign. Even from about three feet away I could barely read the text. It appears that they do some sort of cleaning, but beyond that it's hard to say. What a wasted opportunity. Don't make these common mistakes: It's Not...
Don't Make These Website Mistakes
I read a lot, look at zillions of websites and check out print pieces everywhere I go. Though I'm a laid-back person, there are some things I've been seeing a lot of lately that are like that certain sound that we all hate. Don't make these mistakes on your website....