How to Use Clichés When Writing (+Audience Analysis template)

Most people wag their finger and tell you cliches are bad – Google clichés in writing! – but I have a certain warped affection for them. Here’s why. Where do clichés come from? One of the occupational hazards of being a writer is that you see things that others don’t. Y’know, like clichés? Let’s look at […]

Product Development – How to Find Early Adopters

Can power users make or break a new product, even before it hits the shelves? When developing your marketing plan, give some consideration to how power users (usually the early adopters) will relate to your product. Why is this important? Power users, especially if they have a blog, social capital, or newspaper column, will be […]

How to kill ‘killer’ headlines

I don’t know about you but I feel it’s time to bury ‘killer’ headlines. Once upon a time… killer was fresh. It had an edge. Attitude. But then it went mainstream. A bit like Talking Heads. Remember Psycho Killer? David wouldn’t write that now… or get away with it 🙂 Why Killer Headlines? Is there […]

4 Business Report Writing Tips

Do you freeze when sitting down to write long reports? While most of us can write short emails, status reports, and project plans, writing long business documents can be more difficult. How do you start? Here’s a four step approach for writing long documents. It makes it easy for you as the writer and more […]

The Jennifer Hudson Guide to Size Zero Writing

You have to admire Jennifer Hudson. When most celebrities go from ‘full-bodied’ to size zero, there’s a backlash, especially from loyal fans who feel they’ve sold out. Jennifer seems to be the exception. As a business writer, I try to look at situations like this. What makes it so different? What kernel of an idea […]

Why Social Media Won’t Save Your Business

Ever feel that social media is a waste of time? It sounds like heresy to say it, especially with experts telling us every day that we must have Facebook pages, twitter conversations, and linkedin networks. But here’s another way of looking at social media. It’s to do with ROI. Who Benefits From Social Media It’s very simple. […]