The blog
Writing articles from conferences, seminars and panel discussions
15th May 2019 | Posted in Articles, Blogging, Content creation
Conferences are a rich source of content. You actually have in front of you experts from across a company and beyond, gathered in one place, to share their knowledge. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather in-depth expertise into an article, and drop in a few industry-leading names at the same time. As they say, what’s […]
Checking facts for credible writing
16th April 2019 | Posted in Blogging, Content creation, Journalism, Marketing communications
Once upon a time I was berated in a journalism training class. I’m not often told off for anything, being almost a perfect rule abider and non-risk taker. There was that time in a Body Balance class when I stretched further than was wise, and I vaguely remember my mother not being that impressed […]
Timeless content
20th March 2019 | Posted in Blogging, Content creation, Web content
I wrote this Loneliness Guide for the When They Get Older blog five years ago, and it’s still one of the most popular pieces on the site. It’s collected some impressive backlinks along the way, which helps enormously with the profile of the site. Why has it lasted so well? Partly because the subject matter […]
When you ask me to edit or proofread, what exactly do you mean?
14th January 2019 | Posted in Blogging, book, Editing, Marketing communications
You know what you want. But do I? “Editing” and its sibling “proofreading” are words that mean everything and nothing. So it pays to make sure we agree. Let’s take the examples of Jack and Susu (who are not really called Jack and Susu but they are real customers). Jack is way out of […]
How do you say ‘I’m sorry but your book is dire’?
15th November 2018 | Posted in book, Editing
As editor of the When They Get Older website, I’ve been reviewing gift ideas for grandparents. It’s a regular list we compile for holidays and special days, and I often get sent books to review. Generally, they’re worth a mention. But this one, this year. Oh dear. The joys of self-publication. I don’t want to […]
Board member bios. Why so dry?
19th September 2018 | Posted in Branding, Editing, Web content, Website
When I wrote my book on B2B copywriting, I devoted a section to writing for websites. Content for websites, said I, should be in line with the tone of voice determined by the company. In many cases that means professional, approachable and easy to consume. The one exception is the page of bios for the […]
I’ve written a book. A short book. About the value of copywriting.
2nd July 2018 | Posted in book, Branding, Marketing communications, Web content
Why did I write a book? Celebrity? Gosh, no thanks. Lifelong ambition? Nope. They say there’s a book in everyone. I think maybe Barbara Cartland got mine. Money. Not yet but I’m open to offers. Publicity for my copywriting business? I confess. That’s why. The end. Or not. Let me explain a little more. As […]
Talking about copywriting in marketing
14th June 2018 | Posted in Branding, Marketing communications
Here’s an extract from my book “Making the most of copywriting in marketing”. This snappily-titled and slim volume is not a text book. It’s a collection of my experiences and tips gleaned from 30 years in the marketing and copywriting business. Where copywriting begins … I regularly find that after the first contact […]
Did anyone read your GDPR permission messages?
29th May 2018 | Posted in GDPR, Marketing communications, Newsletters
GDPR Day has been and gone in the UK. The 25th May was the “deadline” set for organisations of all shapes, sizes and purposes to update their privacy notices and make sure their audience was happy to continue receiving emails. (Apparently it wasn’t a deadline, more a beginning, but we won’t go into that here.) […]
Extrovert or introvert copy. What’s best?
8th May 2018 | Posted in Marketing communications, Web content
Today I took a quiz to determine whether I’m an extrovert or introvert (not that there’s much doubt about the answer). Not one of those daft click-bait quizzes, but one created by organisational psychologist Adam Grant. It was actually the description of the ambivert that caught my attention and left me wondering whether copy can […]