The blog

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 […]

Sports fans and business blogging – spot the difference

23rd April 2018 | Posted in Blogging, Content creation, social media

Last night I listened in to a webinar about sports marketing and social media*. This is odd for two reasons. First, it was all about football in Europe, and I only ever pretend to be interested in that to keep other people happy. Second, it was about engaging with fans on social media. And I […]

Honesty in blogging can be healthy for your brand

18th April 2018 | Posted in Blogging, Branding

Do you struggle to be endlessly positive in your blogging because you’re trying to show you know best? I do. Perhaps we’re trying too hard. Perhaps there’s nothing wrong with being less than perfect. And not knowing all the answers all the time. It can be hard to constantly take the role of lofty adviser […]

Is the GDPR going to lose you precious subscribers?

10th April 2018 | Posted in Marketing communications

  The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a headache, right? It’s great for EU citizens who are going to see their personal data even more closely protected from the end of May 2018. But it’s hard work for organisations who hold and process information about people. This includes those of us who send out email […]

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