It’s What’s Up Front That Counts
I recently received a form letter that was not personalized in any way - in fact, it wasn't really a letter, just a photocopied piece of paper. It was headlined: IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ! Straight to [...]
Tall = Small?
Starbucks has established its own language with its own dictionary. But Starbucks is an experienced driver on a closed course. Do not try this at home.
5 Ways to Cut Clutter
Getting rid of the clutter in your communications makes your writing more efficient and effective. Readers should not have to sift through a lot of superfluous paragraphs, sentences, or even words in order to get at what you're trying to say.
Have One in the Can
If you produce regular communications in any medium - blog, e-newsletter, print newsletter, whatever - it's a good idea to "have one in the can." The metaphor comes from the film industry. A movie that [...]
Pack It Up
Purpose, audiences, and expectations - put them together and you've got conventions: rules about how to write a particular kind of communication.