When a company decides to create or refresh its brand, the first thing that most people think about is making a change to the logo and visuals. Images allow people to understand and connect with a brand, and they have an incredible ability to inspire emotion and action. It's easy to understand why logos are the first thing people think of. However, the power of the words to convey the ideas behind the brand cannot be ignored. This is why brand messaging continues to be a key element in the … [Read more...]
Why Girls (or Really, Anyone) Should Love Star Wars
I’ve had a lifelong love affair with Star Wars, and with all the new movies and shows coming out, I’m like a kid at Christmas. (Two words: BABY. YODA.) I was two years old when Star Wars came out, so Star Wars has been around for basically my entire life. It was only when I hit college that I realized that not every girl loved Star Wars as I did. Some of them liked it but wouldn’t admit it until I came out and admitted it, myself. Some of them had boyfriends who were totally into it but … [Read more...]
WTF Words: Wary vs Weary
Some words are frequently mistaken in writing, and some are more frequently used incorrectly in speech. When this happens, I'm not sure if I heard the word being used incorrectly or if I'm just hearing it incorrectly. My brain wants it to be correct, so it automatically replaces the incorrect version and insists on the correct one. But I still feel like maybe something's a little off, so I have to ask the person talking to repeat the word, and then they look at me as if I am a toddler or … [Read more...]
Basic Blog SEO
A blog worth writing is worth optimizing. You don’t have to be an SEO expert to make sure your blog article has what it needs to get noticed by search engines. (Although having an SEO expert around can be very helpful for full-scale online campaigns, and we can certainly refer you to one if need be.) We suggest these 3 steps for basic blog SEO: Use a keyword or two: You can find popular keywords through the Google Adwords Keyword Planner. Don’t load your article with keywords--remember, … [Read more...]
3 Reasons You Should Hire Out Your Blog
Now, as you know, every company needs a blog. And starting a blog is very do-able. It doesn’t have to be painful. But that doesn’t mean you have to be the one doing it. Here are 3 reasons to hire out your blog: You may have been an English major--I was, too--but writing content for social media and promotion is NOT like writing your college papers. I've been doing this for over 10 years and I know what it takes to hit the moving targets of SEO, customer engagement, and effective … [Read more...]
WTF Words: Defuse vs. Diffuse
We need to talk about the word "diffuse." People are using the word diffuse a lot lately, and they are all using it WRONG. I see it all the time. "Well, I wanted to diffuse the tension, so I told a joke." (It actually gave me physical pain to write that sentence.) According to good ol' Merriam-Webster, to diffuse something means to "permit or cause to spread freely." Think of it this way: why do you use a diffuser? You use a diffuser to spread a lovely aromatherapy oil into the air. Release … [Read more...]
Content strategy: AMP-RI and Marketing Essentials podcast
October was a busy month! Working for projects for my current clients (check out the recent rebrand for a local allergist specializing in functional medicine.) Taking on work for new clients (stay tuuuuuuned!) And on top of my usual stuff, I had some great opportunities to speak on content strategy. AMP-RI First, I was excited to be asked to speak at AMP-RI, the Association of Marketing Professionals of Rhode Island. This group was founded in 2009 and now has over 500 members. Each month, … [Read more...]
Sprinkle a little Pumpkin Spice on your Business
Everything’s coming up pumpkin this month, so I thought it would be a good time to review a book I read that has truly changed things for my business. This book, The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz, was recommended to me by my numbers guru, Stephanie Robl at Ten Key, Inc. Bookkeeping and Accounting. Stephanie read the book and reviewed it on her blog, so I had to check it out! The book is based on the way farmers grow HUGE, award-winning pumpkins, and it outlines a very simple process for … [Read more...]
Why Blog on Other Blogs?
It's been a little while since I last posted to my blog, and for a person who not only blogs for other people for living but also teaches people about blogging, that may be seen as a cardinal sin. But it's not as bad as what I'm about to confess. I've been cheating on my blog, with another blog. Yes, I am blogging on another blog. I've blogged on a few blogs, actually--I've posted on LinkedIn, Medium...I know, I'm ashamed. I hope my blog will forgive me. When I teach my blogging class, … [Read more...]
WTF Words: It’s Hon, not Hun
Alternate title: Stop calling your sweetheart or friend a medieval terrorist I have a request. Can people stop using "Hun" to shorten "Honey"? What do you think, can we try that? I see it everywhere on Facebook. Someone posts a problem...someone reacts with “Hang in there, hun!” [sad emoji] Someone posts an event...someone reacts with “Can’t come to your event (boo!) but we’ve got to get together, hun!” Someone posts a selfie...someone reacts with “You look beautiful, … [Read more...]
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