“I really wish we could use your services, but we just can’t afford to pay for your help.” I understand your hesitation, but I think you fail to realize that when you don’t reach out for specialized assistance, you may be paying even more than you think.... Read More
I recently handled a project for an organization full of extraordinarily smart people, something you might not recognize if you read the copy they wrote. Their words were so unfamiliar, their sentence structure so complex only their peers could grasp what they tried to convey … and their peers weren’t the audience. You were.... Read More
If your organization does business in the growing global marketplace, there may be times when you need to communicate with people in languages other than English. While it’s tempting to simply translate your existing materials, that may not be the most effective approach.... Read More
I have overwhelming respect (and more than a little sympathy) for English teachers. But I do have to say they manage to make being an effective writer more difficult than it should be.... Read More
If you’re about to shoot a video and want the comments from company officials, customers, and other stakeholders to sound completely natural, make sure you script them before they say a word.... Read More
You’ve seen them in your industry and your community: the names you recognize instantly, sharing their knowledge. We call them thought leaders, and joining their ranks may be easier than you expect.... Read More
Mark Twain’s take on prevarication remains as accurate today as when he penned it: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” We live in an age in which we’re overwhelmed by information, and a large share of what we consume is in the form of statistics. ... Read More
Companies often develop materials such as white papers to target marketing and communications objectives, but forget to go back and make edits as their marketplace or products and services change.... Read More
I’ll bump into business owners at networking functions who insist they have no need to advertise or market, because their business will grow completely by “word of mouth.” At that moment, I know their businesses won’t be around for long.... Read More
Many organizations develop technical documents like white papers and blogs to explain the advantages they offer or to educate their stakeholders about situations or issues. And all too often, those efforts fall short of their objectives. ... Read More
