Abstract concepts encapsulate many ideas into one word. Shoes and boots become footwear. The set of politicians includes local mayors as well as heads of state. Mothers and fathers are, more generally, parents. Abstractions are absolutely essential for achieving any of the following goals with your writing: Making conclusions or inferences based on varied evidence Demonstrating mastery of complex topics […]
Ego Is the Enemy [Book Review]
The Antidote to the Culture of Instant Success Reality television, easy fame, self-proclaimed gurus – we live in a strange and often exhausting world. But the root of many of our problems remains consistent throughout history – the human ego. The stories in Ryan Holiday’s Ego is the Enemy span from ancient Greece to modern day, […]
Have Faith in Your Muse But Trust Your Process
Imagine for a moment that someone offers you the job that you’ve always dreamed of. But there’s a catch – you’ll have to work closely with someone else in the role. In fact, you’ll be job-sharing with this person. You start asking around about this other person, and discover that she doesn’t show up for meetings, but pops […]
Stop Boring Me! [Book Review]
Better Marketing Using the Principles of Improv I want to live in a world in which every marketer reads Kathy Klotz-Guest’s Stop Boring Me! Marketing would be a lot more entertaining, relevant, and human. The book offers guidance for creating better, more effective marketing content by applying the essential principles of improv comedy. As you […]
Advice for Marketing Writers: A Podcast Interview
Writing is a critical skill for marketers, especially for those in businesses pursuing content marketing strategies. But it’s only part of the job, easily overshadowed by the constant distractions of the open office, the immediate gratification of social media and online analytics, and interruptions of always-on connectivity. Pressed to create more and better content, how […]
September: Time for Subscription Fatigue
As the calendar turns to September, do you experience any of the following symptoms? Confusion (or surprise) about charges on credit cards for annual subscriptions Deep contemplation triggered by pending renewal announcements Decision fatigue deciding what to do about each new renewal Overflowing email inboxes and a sense of general overwhelm The desire to realign […]