Readers offer writing tips in 17 syllables Last month, in honor of the New York City Department of Transportation’s new haiku street safety signs, we asked readers to send us their writing tips in haiku. Here are the best of the bunch: Joanna Foote, communications coordinator and webmaster for the City of Eagan, declares: “Writing with purpose A right hook well … [Read more...] about Haiku masters
Archives for March 2012
Write to fit
Hit your word count the first time Remember the old saw: “After you’ve written your first draft, rewrite it as if you have a rule that it can’t be printed until it’s cut by one-third”? Wait! So first, we’re supposed to write a piece that’s 33 percent longer than required, then unwrite a third of it? Who has time for that?! I cringe every time a writing teacher trots … [Read more...] about Write to fit
Push the envelope
Get them to open the offer Will they open your sales letter? That depends on the: 1. Envelope A No. 10 or monarch envelope look like personal or business correspondence. A 6-by-9-inch one stands out, but looks like junk mail. Envelopes with windows look more promotional than those without. 2. Teaser copy Blind envelopes sometimes pull better than those with sales … [Read more...] about Push the envelope
Move people to act
Comics change behavior as well as minds Graphic storytelling not only gets people to pay attention to, understand and remember your message. It also changes audience behavior. In three studies, graphic storytelling helped communicators: Build safety involvement. Six out of 10 members of a building trade union pledged to get more active in union health and safety … [Read more...] about Move people to act
Get the word out
Polish your writing skills with four new workshops Need to implement your new brand voice guidelines, make your copy easier to read, practice writing more creatively or get the message across with graphic storytelling? Now you can, with four new workshops by Ann Wylie: Voice Lessons How to write in your organization’s brand voice Your brand guidelines tell … [Read more...] about Get the word out