Happy Thursday,
I hope you’re having a great Valentine’s week!
I turned 65 on Tuesday. Mom would have been 100 today. We loved being a Valentine’s sandwich. ❤️
If you’d like to let me know what you’re celebrating, I’d love to hear from you. Just reply to this message.
Think Outside the Pyramid
1 quote, 1 stat, 1 tip & 1 tool for better writing structure
1. Stat
The feature structure increased reading by 520% and readers by 300% in an A/B test by Groove HQ.
2. Quote
“We need to get away from the tyranny of the inverted pyramid, an ancient and venerated device that is boring if not downright destructive.” — Mario R. Garcia and Pegie Stark, Poynter Institute
3. Tip
Try this: Show in the first paragraph, tell in the second.
Before: Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI), which is innovating the way utilities and cities manage energy and water, announced that it’s working together with Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE), to connect and manage 260,000 Itron smart streetlights across the utility’s service territory.
After: A group of thugs approaches you as you’re walking home late at night. The streetlights get brighter — then dial 911 for help.
Baltimore streets will soon be lined with 260,000 Itron smart streetlights. These streetlights will conserve energy, reduce light pollution, decrease traffic jams. They’ll even call an ambulance if you get in a wreck.
4. Tool
Learn more ways to draw readers in and move them to act with reader-centric messages. Help your team learn to Master Feature Structure or Catch Your Reader with team training.