Meet Domino, my new ten-year-old rescue cat. After a couple of weeks, I noticed he was unusually twitchy. He had these episodes every couple of evenings for a few minutes where he licked frantically, his back muscles rippled and he kicked his back legs uncontrollably. So I turned to Dr Google, Read more…
I woke up at 4am. “Oh no, the bath is the wrong way round, the lights are in the wrong place, I’ve ordered the wrong vanity unit and the feature wall needs to be on the opposite side!” I lay awake for an hour, convinced that every decision I’d made Read more…
Do you promote your brand, product or service to other businesses? If yes, you’re in B2B rather than B2C (business to consumer). There is a rumour that B2B copywriting should be more formal. Also, that B2B copywriters are hard to find. I disagree with both those statements. B2B clients are Read more…
I co-hosted Steve Bustin’s ‘Speech Club’ last night, where he deconstructed Michelle Obama’s 2016 Democratic National Convention Speech. One of the things she said was that the Obamas teach their daughters to ‘go high’ when other people ‘go low’. She didn’t mention Trump by name, but it was obvious who Read more…
You may have noticed what divisive times we’re living in. Extremes of opinion are splitting families and friends. Here are just a few examples: Trump v Clinton Brexit v Remain Masks v No masks Vaccination v Non-vaccination Russia v Ukraine We’re living in an age of fake news, anger and Read more…
I spoke to Shelle Rose Charvet, author of Words That Change Minds, about how to use the language of influence in your copywriting. Watch the 20-minute recording here, with my added commentary in the titles to enhance your viewing pleasure.
I’ve never been comfortable with the second definition of ‘toolkit’, below. As someone who rarely picks up a hammer, it seems too macho to me. I’ve always wanted to find a more gender-neutral alternative. Sewing basket? Recipe book? I find it even more unnerving that so many marketing expressions are Read more…
Did you know that communication is all about engagement? Engaging readers via the written word on screen or in print Engaging audiences via the spoken word at on-site talks and training sessions Engaging participants online via activities they undertake One of the ways you can grab attention and engage site Read more…
I ordered two dining sets and matching mugs from M&S but they arrived with one broken mug and one broken plate. I phoned customer service, who said they would send replacements for the broken items. Soon, a new mug arrived. I waited a few days for the plate, then phoned Read more…
“Speaking with clients and asking if they would like to be interviewed for a case study has been a worthwhile and eye-opening exercise.” That’s what a client told me last week. Why? Because my copywriters are all current or former journalists who are skilled at asking the right questions to Read more…