It was junior high when I started checking the Flesch-Kincaid reading grade level on my term papers and essays. I would get so excited when it came back at 11, 12 or higher. I was writing at a college level! How advanced was I?!?! Looking back, that was kind of silly. Sure, I impressed some [...]
How do you know if you’ve succeeded with getting your copy to the right grade level? Two easy-to-use tools: Word. The ubiquitous word processing program makes doing a readability check simple. Run spell check, but don’t be so quick to close the dialogue box that appears after it’s done. You’ll see a readability report, which [...]
Writer’s block looks different in everyone. Movies like to show writers tossing endless balls of crumpled up paper at an overflowing trash can when they can’t find the right words. Some people stare blankly at their computer screen. Personally, I clean and organize. Or I bake. Bad writer’s block = lots of cake. We [...]
It’s hard being in an office under fluorescent lights all day. When I can (and when the weather allows), I like to read or write outside. It feels good to be outdoors — invigorating even. And it turns out that the benefits of getting outside are real. Science says so. In a study conducted by [...]
From brainstorming to completing a project, there are numerous collaboration tools your team can use. Our favorites include: Google Docs. (But any shared document service will work.) For brainstorming, all team members can add their ideas. A shared document is also wonderful when multiple people are writing different sections of a larger piece. Trello. [...]
It’s the new year and you’re excited to get to work on your 2020 content calendar. Sure, you wish it had been done months ago, but it is what it is. Fortunately, you feel refreshed now that the holidays are over, and you’re looking forward to getting your team into a conference room for [...]
Good news: There’s still time to start 2020 off right by getting your team in the right mindset for the new year — and thus producing stellar work and measurable results — and beyond. Here are five ways to do that. 1. Let’s resolve to plan better. If you really want to start [...]
At first, the thought of hiring a ghostwriter was inconceivable to me. I love to write, and I’m good at it, so why would I ever hire someone to do it for me? Sure, I had brought in writers to help me with projects, but hiring someone to actually write on my behalf? No, thank [...]
Annnnd done! Another piece of content can be checked off your to-do list. It’s time for happy hour! But wait, you almost forgot to write a call to action. Short and uncomplicated, it’s tempting to leave writing calls to action until last. But, really, that’s where we should be starting. Because every piece of [...]
Content, content, content! It’s the Marcia Brady of marketing, getting all the attention these days. You’ve been told content will help you engage new customers, breed loyalty among current ones and drive sales. It is the end-all-be-all of your marketing strategy. Answers to all your marketing problems lie in content. And not just any [...]
