My favorite joke goes like this: Did you hear about the corduroy pillow? It’s making headlines. Sure, the ol’ corduroy pillow is corny and generates more eye rolls than laughs, but that little joke has actually helped me connect with others. Whether I’m trying to lighten the mood or deepen audience engagement, humor is one…
In today’s business world, the majority of consumers believe that businesses and CEOs should state their values and share their opinions. Within this environment, a growing number of companies are publicly embracing important social issues. Recently, Gillette made headlines with its “We Believe” ad. Despite the risk of alienating consumers, the razor company took a…
A huge part of your brand’s success relies on content consistency across channels. From marketing materials to interoffice emails, every time you communicate you have an opportunity to reinforce your company’s personality, mission, and values. But, do your employees know how to support your brand identity across content channels? If you suspect they’re struggling, you’re…
Across content and channels, how you frame your message matters. In most circumstances, you want your reader to have a favorable, affirming experience. When your writing helps them feel good, they’ll think constructively and take action. While positive framing is the norm in plain language and business communication, sometimes negative framing comes in handy. By…
Your goal as a writer or content creator is to engage your audience. If you can’t hook your readers early, you risk losing their attention and will probably push them away. Motivating your readers and encouraging them to act starts with a one-two punch. In order to draw them in, effective writing needs: 1. Catchy…
Oh, workplace writing. Some people love it, and some people hate it. But, in one manner or another, nearly everyone must write and communicate. I’m sure we all have colleagues, peers, employees, or friends who dread writing. I’ll admit that I sometimes feel the existential despair of the blinking cursor — and I love writing.…
Ambiguity in art can be a powerful and inspiring tool. For example, I love Chet Baker’s rendition of “My Funny Valentine” because of its ambiguity. There’s a sweet, yet blue, mood that runs throughout the song — it invites everyone to project their own experience on the intimacy. The result is amazing. But, ambiguity in…
In writing, we use the concept “show, don’t tell” to ignite our reader’s imaginations and transport them into the world of our story. We build sensory experiences with descriptive and specific details — sometimes called “images” — to help us entertain and inform our audience. The skill is necessary to capture our reader’s interest and…
Reaching your audience and capturing their attention requires a fundamental understanding of your persona’s interests and values. For example, if you’re targeting millennials, you’ll need a grasp on technology, social issues, and cat memes. And, to truly connect, you’ll need to write in a tone they recognize, understand, and associate with. As a writer and…
April is National Poetry Month — a time to celebrate poems and their ability to help us understand life with a fresh, inspired mind. On my best days, I read and write poetry to connect with others and the universe, and the ritual has made me a more attentive and kinder person.
Poetry also helps me write and edit with precision, clarity, and thoughtfulness. I’ve found that the same tools I use to write poems have helped me craft effective business writing. Regardless of genre or purpose, the following three poetic devices can make your content more effective and engaging: