Let me tell you a story. When Mark (pictured above, juggling pineapples) was 21 he went on a big adventure. He travelled the world for two years, getting lost in the rich colours, sounds and smells of Asia, Australasia and the Caribbean. He returned with vivid memories of remote villages, expansive beaches and magical moments… Read more
Be understood the first time. Use DIY.
This is not about losing yourself amongst the aisles of B&Q and Homebase. (Oh, the horror.) This is about using drawings to make your message clearly understood and memorable, the first time round. That’s what I said. The first time round. Imagine never having to repeat yourself because your colleagues or your clients get… Read more
How to find new angles to your story – and get new clients.
Yes, your prospects are busy. So how do you get their attention? One way is to keep writing content. Even if they’re too busy to look at your first 3 blog posts, they might have 5 minutes for the fourth. Another way is to find different angles to the issue you’re tackling. One of them… Read more
When you stop speaking, how much will your audience remember?
Even in the age of cyber marketing, doing the occasional event – a presentation, speech, workshop – in front of an audience of real human beings, is a good way to promote you and your work. But it has to be worth all the effort – the thinking time, the rehearsal and the nerves. You… Read more
Be better understood. What school lessons can teach your website.
I was a demanding member of the audience in physics and chemistry lessons. I wanted the materials to put on a spectacle for me. And unless the teachers were good narrators, things like Einstein’s special theory of relativity would glance off my brain, never to be seen again. It’s science show time. So the stars… Read more
How to start your blog post so that your reader stays with you.
“It drives my wife mad.” Your ears have pricked up, haven’t they? What exactly drives her mad? And why is the narrator being so open about it? Honesty and a hint of drama. You’re probably reading this because: you sense there is some sort of dilemma. You’re human and you want to get to the… Read more
Help yourself. I find it invaluable. You will too.
In the course of a normal working day, I get through a hell of a lot of words. Some I write myself; others I read. I’ve been stockpiling countless books and articles about the best way to communicate. Now I’m in ‘New Term Decluttering’ mode and you’ll benefit. As I clear out my hard drive… Read more
15below – a master-class in audience appreciation.
“We could do this!” “Yes, and we could do that!” It’s easy to get carried away with new business ideas. The only danger is that, when you’re concentrating on what you’re selling, you sometimes forget what your clients really want to buy. I’ve been there, done it and bought the XL T-shirt. Audience neglect. Call… Read more
Hit home with your message. Get an ‘oooh’ from your audience.
I was shopping and I saw this display in a chemist’s window: “Good grief!” I thought. “Is that how much sugar is in a pot of yoghurt? I had no idea”. Well, I did have an idea. I’d probably skimmed over the ingredients countless times. But the facts only made an impact when I saw… Read more
Give your website a distinctive voice. Learn from the wireless. Part 2.
Got a degree? Forget everything you’ve learned about writing! At the time I was a bit put out. Yet the rule held good throughout my radio career. It’s still useful now, when I’m shaping companies’ stories for their websites. I’ll rewind. I’d started working at a BBC radio station. I’d just left university and was… Read more
