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Writing tips

Hot off the press: our thoughts on what's happening in the world of brand language and business writing. Warning: may contain the occasional rant.

Writing tips

Brainstorming is broken. Here’s how we fix it.

Pass the shovel. We'll dig brainstorming's grave and then show you a better way to run team thinking.

Consulting, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Get what you want: start planning reports with reason

Here's a secret: report writing's easy. We share three steps to write reports that get you what you want.

Consulting, Learning & development

Writing tips

Captivate with chemistry: three tricks for irresistible storytelling

The psychology of storytelling

Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Tackling tricky messages: the good way to give bad news

Companies need to communicate bad news all the time, so it’s surprising they often still get it wrong. Learn the science behind delivering difficult messages.

Writing tips

How to take feedback (and like it)

We’ll let you into a grubby secret: this blog isn’t the work of one writer. No solitary genius sits down to hammer out our listicles. Even this post is a collaboration.

Writing tips

The one time we’ll let you use jargon

Jargon. You know we hate the stuff. Linguists prefer the term ‘occupational dialect’. And depending on the context, it may actually be useful. Let’s see what we mean.

Writing tips

The poets of packaging: three copywriting tips from lyricists

Next time you sit down to write some copy, tell yourself: ‘I am a poet of packaging’. And take three lessons from masters of verse.

Writing tips

Leave the power tools behind: how do you write inclusively about Father’s Day?

It’s not just another event on the content calendar. It’s a chance to show readers that your brand is socially conscious and authentic. Here's how.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Fighting talk: how words can help you win the great talent scrap

It’s happy days for job candidates. Unemployment levels in the UK and US are at record lows. Over two-thirds of businesses globally are facing a talent shortage. Almost half are intending to increase advertising for their job vacancies. The pickings are rich.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Broad and brilliant brains: how to attract neurodiverse talent

We’ve talked before about how two brains are better than one. But even 20 great brains won’t make anything exceptional if they’re all wired the same way. What you need in your team is the perspectives and skills of all kinds of minds — a bubbling pool of neurodiverse talent.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Brand language: two things to try in 2022

Two trends are changing the way readers think – and what they expect from brands. To keep up, you’ll have to learn how to write for an audience with a strong social conscience and a short attention span. Here’s how to make a start.

Consulting, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

What’s brand messaging – and how do you create it?

Our tips for creating an authentic brand message, plus a quick guide to what brand messaging houses, brand purpose and value propositions are all about.

Consulting, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Language barrier: why using jargon can exclude your readers

Business or academic jargon can create a language barrier. We share 5 ways you can make your writing clearer and reach a wider audience. Have a read.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Why readability means drawing in, not dumbing down

Why readability means drawing in – The Writer Did you know? The more readable your writing, the more people you’re likely to reach with it. See why readability and inclusive language go hand-in-hand.

Consulting, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Be less Burger King: three ways to write for everyone

When it comes to inclusive language, it’s not the thought that counts. Even if you have the very best intentions, your words still have the power to offend.

Consulting, Learning & development

Writing tips

Why is ‘why’ so powerful?

Google’s Year in Search 2020 video is all about asking ‘why’. From ‘why is it called covid-19’ to ‘why are people protesting’ to ‘why is Mars red’. (Be warned, it’s an emotional watch.)

Writing, Learning & development

Writing tips

The science of emails #3: know the feeling you want to get across

More than any other type of comms, emails run the risk of coming across the wrong way. And when it comes to communicating about coronavirus, the particular words we choose matter more than ever.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

The science of emails #2: get over yourself

More than any other type of comms, emails run the risk of coming across the wrong way. And when it comes to communicating about coronavirus, the particular words we choose matter more than ever.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

The science of emails #1: write adult-to-adult

More than any other type of comms, emails run the risk of coming across the wrong way. And when it comes to communicating about coronavirus, the particular words we choose matter more than ever.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Woolly words won’t beat coronavirus

We’ll keep this brief. Firstly because other writers, Tweeters and politicians have already noted it, and secondly because we’ve covered this topic before. (It’s kind of our thing.) But one last time: if you want someone to do something, please make it clear.

Writing, Brand & marketing