Maybe it’s easier to describe what it isn’t. It isn’t a list of qualifications and 'achievements' like the ones I saw in the bios on 'Meet the team' pages on various university websites the other evening. A little light research while my youngest takes herself off to...
Try this simple writing exercise if the same thoughts are circling your head in a never ending loop and you're struggling to find a way out of it. Grab a pen and notebook or your laptop, tablet - whatever you feel comfortable using. I love writing by hand, something...
Today I’ve been distracted by conversations with the youngest about uni open days, wondering if I can eek out another week or so of my fringe getting in my eyes before I have it cut and reminders about my eye test tomorrow morning which reminds me I have the dentist...
Call me old fashioned but one of my favourite parts of writing an email newsletter is the opening. I mean the greeting. The words and sentences you use you to say, 'Hello, how are you?' and welcome the reader into your space. I figure we're inviting ourselves...
Sharing your story is more than simply being able to write your About page, send off a short and snappy bio or introduce yourself at a networking gathering, although any of these could be the catalyst for getting your story in shape. Stories help bring people into...
This time last year Ilkley was covered in snow and I was coming out of my second conversation filled peak season on the shop floor of Oliver Bonas. I’d applied for a seasonal role the previous Christmas and it was due to last around six weeks but I ended up staying...
Relationships and people. That’s what it boils down to. The relationship I have with my clients and the relationship they have with their ‘audiences’, their clients or customers or stakeholders. Right now I’m working with small businesses and charities so rather than...
If we were to sit down and have a chat about writing, about sending out content, messages, communication (whatever the media) for people to read, follow, understand, engage with then these are the kinds of things we’d end up talking about. The list isn’t exhaustive,...
It's like a slow, steady exhale, the nervous system soothing after a few grounding breaths, a gentle sag and a soft fizz of energy, a breakthrough. Not a sag under the weight of all those as yet unwritten words. Words, writing, blank white pages can cause friction, a...
"You have to follow your own voice. You have to be yourself when you write. In effect, you have to announce, ‘This is me, this what I stand for, this is what you get when you read me. I’m doing the best I can – buy me or not – but this is who I am as a writer.” David...
The marketing, communication and media beast is insatiable, isn't it. No matter how much we feed it, it still demands more. More content, more images, videos, words and phrases. Gimme more insight and opinions it screams. Stand out, cut through the noise. Grab that...
Ah, the tone of voice. That sleight of hand that conveys authenticity, honesty and builds relationships. But tone of voice is trixy. It’s elusive, intangible. Hard to pin down. Tricky to get right, yet it’s so darn obvious when it's missing or just plain wrong. I mean...
It takes more than a few WhatsApps and comments on a social media post to build friendships and meaningful connections in your personal life. The relationships you build in your work life are no different. They too need opportunities to go deep and delve into the...
A framework to keep your content flowing A blank calendar stares back at you, just waiting to be filled with content to delight, inform, motivate and inspire your audience. What’s your next step? Run for the hills or sit down and plan. Before you grab your boots and...
I’m here for all you empaths out there. The people who think (sometimes too much) and believe there’s a way of doing business that is centred, unashamedly on other people and building solid, long-lasting relationships. Being on social media for the community....
