Making Stuff Up
We’ve seen how business strap lines can become part of mainstream culture.
How about words?
Hoover, Xerox and Google all went from brand names to generic English terms.
Can we give our brands a similar boost?
Word Up
In almost every book he writes, Seth Godin either invents or takes control of another term, from permission marketing to purple cow [...]
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em
Here’s a business tip I learnt the hard way:
If you get a gig, job, order, project, piece of work or commission, do it NOW.
If you don’t, it may not be there tomorrow.
For several reasons.
Unkind Cut
A large IT firm gave me 100 recruitment ads to critique.
I toiled for much of Easter, getting 50 done.
Then I rewarded [...]
The Pud is in the Proofing
The writing’s on the wall.
When it comes to good English, there are two schools:
It’s a load of useless nit picking.
It’s utterly vital.
When it comes to good English in business, I have one thought:
Get it right, or else.
It’s not just me who thinks this. Check these quotes:
I’m not going to apply for a company that [...]
Radio. Get ‘em Where They Live!
Radio ads are cheaper than you may think.
Radio ads are so cheap and effective, I’m amazed clients don’t use them more often.
They’re particularly useful when your audience is remote, passive or oblivious to your existence.
Radio is great fun to do. And because people choose to listen, it really gets them where they live.
Here are [...]
Little Things
Not all recruitment firms are the same.
Yeah right!
Speaking of recruitment agencies, when Andrew told me his was ‘different’, I took it with a shovel of salt.
Having dealt extensively with job consultants as a client, supplier and candidate, I’d formed the strong view that in this field:
Confidence
Expertise = Infinity
But when Andrew [...]
Where’s my book deal?!
Artist’s impression.
This is my 100th Small Business Owner blog post. (Yay!)
Shouldn’t I have a book deal by now?
That other bloke only did 100 tweets. Yet he has a book AND a TV show!
And all he did was write down what his father said!
What am I doing wrong?
Options
It’s easier to self-publish than ever.
Yet there’s something [...]
How to Write Killer SEEK Ads (Part 2)
Like Paul, myBRC and the Small Business Owner blog don’t endorse or have a relationship with SEEK.
The advice in Part 1 was fantastic, and Paul’s advice in Part 2 is just as good! Naomi.
Many are called, but only 1 is chosen.
Part 1 covered summary, bullets, title, ad body & reward.
Today we learn to separate the goats [...]
How to Write Killer SEEK Ads (Part 1)
Like Paul, myBRC and the Small Business Owner blog don’t endorse or have a relationship with SEEK.
Paul’s advice in this post is extremely useful – happy reading!
Some of my clients are starting to recruit again.
Just in case you are too, I’ve decided to reveal my methodology for writing killer SEEK ads.
This two-part guide [...]
Non Capisco*
We get heaps of pizza fliers in our letterbox.
I seldom read them, let alone use them.
Last night, however, saw a rare aligning of Venus and Mercury. I was ready to try the latest pizza parlour to letter-drop us.
Unfortunately, their flier was too clever by half.
First Quarter
It started well.
A nice red brochure, with a top-ten newspaper [...]
Dishing Dirt
As with large wooden beads, most business owners can string a sentence.
Due to this, many don’t feel they need a professional writer to optimise their communications.
Now and then I get a reminder of my redundancy, like this striking missive from Dirt Cheap Pfoofer Valves* (DCPV):
Error Legend: [ ] Minor. [ ] Major. [ ] Fatal.
Hello Dear Customer
We [...]
