Writing a Letter Will Amaze and Delight
March 4, 2010
I received evidence today that letter writing isn’t dead. I just finished tossing my junk mail, as I do every day. But in between all the magazines and discount flyers for Broadway shows, I was delighted to spy a letter from a new bridge partner containing several instruction sheets with conventions we’re working on. Now, Susanne didn’t have to send these to me. It was a favor and she could have given them to me when we play next week.
Writers as “Curators” of Communication; Is the Term Journalist Passé?
February 9, 2010
It’s enlightening to hear a respected professor at the prestigious Journalism School of Columbia University say he doesn’t know what journalism is going to look like in five years. Join the club. Read more
My New Year’s Resolution: No More Coulda, Shoulda, Wouldas
December 31, 2009
In a couple of hours, the clock will strike midnight, ushering in 2010. This is a quiet New Year’s Eve for me – just finished doing the laundry. Honestly, when did this holiday become so important to everyone? I wish a fairy godmother would sprinkle some gold dust on my head at 12 o’clock and make all my dreams come true, but that is not likely to happen.
So, here is the deal. I’ve got to make things happen myself. And instead of reflecting back on 2009 and all the things I could have done, I’m determined to look forward. I owe this resolution to my brother Carl, and I’ve been making it pretty successfully for a number of years. Here it is: Read more
More Powerful Business Writing Using Visual Images
December 22, 2009
Business writing can be awfully dull, especially when it’s a topic that is unfamiliar to the reader. Haven’t your eyes ever glazed over when you’ve been trying to make sense of what something means?
That’s why imagery in the form of analogies and metaphors is so powerful in clarifying your intentions. I decided to write about visual imagery after reading a story about the growth of China as a world power in the The New York Times a couple of days ago. Read more
How I Overcame Writer’s Block
December 15, 2009
I’ve had writer’s block the past few days. The first thing I did was analyze the problem. Bad move. Why? Because analyzing is another excuse for putting off what I don’t want to do anyway. It’s the holidays; I’m busy; I have to get ready for a party. We all know the drill. So here is what I did. Read more
Thank You Notes Are Not Only a Courtesy, They Can Lead to New Business
November 30, 2009
Today’s guest columnist, Andrea Nierenberg, discusses the importance of the personal note in business. This often-overlooked practice can make you stand out from the competition and nurture important business relationships at a time when electronic communication has become ubiquitous. The article is adapted from her monthly newsletter.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to stay in touch is with the power of the personal note with a “thank you” to a business associate. In research I’ve conducted, I ask the question, “How many of you send out personal notes?” I also ask, “How many of you receive personal notes or cards from clients or business associates?” The response indicates that few people take this practice seriously. As a follow up, I ask, “Has anyone received notes of appreciation, and how does that make you feel?” I trust you know the answer to this last question.
Here are eight opportunities to send a “thank you,” and when and how to do it effectively: Read more
Sherrie’s Blue Emails: What I Learned From My Bridge Director’s Consistent Email Communication
November 24, 2009
Just like clockwork, I received my twice-weekly email from Sherry, one of the bridge directors and instructors from my local duplicate club where I play. For more than six months, since I returned to playing duplicate bridge, I have been receiving these reminders about the Tuesday and Thursday morning games. “Are you playing tomorrow morning?” she’ll ask. Read on and you’ll understand what I’ve learned about business communication from Sherry. Read more
F-Shaped Pattern for Reading Web Content Could Enhance SEO Rankings
October 10, 2009
I’m not exactly sure how I came upon the study done by Jakob Nielsen about how people read web content. The study claims eyetracking visualizations show that users often read Web pages in an F-shaped pattern: two horizontal stripes followed by a vertical stripe. This could be helpful information in enhancing SEO rankings for your website or blog. Read more
Is Letter Writing Dead?
September 2, 2009
I mean the old-fashioned letter with a date, inside address, a salutation, body of the letter, closing and signature. What passes as a “business” letter in email is really nothing more than some phrases and short-cuts like BTW (by the way) TTYL (talk to you later). Emails are piling up in our mailboxes. Half of them we delete without even reading them. I wonder how much impact these emails are having and whether an honest-to-goodness formal letter might actually cut through the clutter. Read more
Twitpitch — the New Way to Pitch Reporters
August 25, 2009
As a former business reporter, I was on the receiving end of many press releases and pitches. So I have an understanding of what a reporter is looking for under the constant pressure of deadlines.
Despite what editors say as panelists at media conferences, they DO look to PR people for story ideas. The way that a company distributes news about its products, services and executives boils down to these three techniques:
• Twitpich (yes, on Twitter)
• Pitch letter
• Press release