The Writing Life
Business storytelling receives bad press—and with reason. Many business stories fail because they push products, rely on jargon and clichés, or are untethered from the business and its objectives. Such stories inevitably fall flat and contribute to the ever-increasing content glut.
[Read more…] about How to Create a Storytelling Map for Your Business
If you want to be a better writer, particularly a writer who authors white papers and case studies, you have to be an archeologist. Grab your hat and a whip—you’re going to need them. Boulders will give chase; you will fall into a pit of snakes. Be prepared. Come with the whip at the ready.
[Read more…] about How to Be a Better Writer: Be an Archeologist
I occasionally play with the form and content of the posts found on this site. Sometimes, it’s a test of reception. I want to know if the writing style or subject matter is welcome even if it’s only welcome by a few. Other times, it’s simply a way to test myself, to explore different ways of saying things, or to think through things such as perfectionism or writing through the ugly middle.
Geoff Livingston (my boss!) and I have been working on a top-secret project that we’re happy to announce: an e-book that examines the shift from primarily text-driven communication to visuals. Our work in marketing, PR, social, and mobile has given us a birds-eye view of the situation, and it isn’t one that can be addressed by creating “snackable content.” We believe the shift is much deeper and larger than that. While we don’t believe words are going to disappear altogether, we do think a change in how we approach, create, and publish content is needed.
[Read more…] about Visual Media: The New Content Marketing Landscape
To whom it may concern:
I don’t know if it’s my academic background, but I seem to have a heightened awareness when it comes to citing sources. If I refer to a specific article, I refer to it. If I use data in a post, I make sure I state where I found the figures. I believe it’s important to be forthcoming when it comes to what inspired something or what research I’m using to support a point.
A business is not a content factory. It’s not a content farm. It’s not even a content mill. In fact, it shouldn’t be any of those things. A business is a business. It may or may not publish content about and for that business.