See the goal. Achieve the goal.

The best way to reach a goal is to start with a clear picture of what you want to achieve. Is your goal to buy a house in the next five years, take a vacation or maybe chip away at a pile of debt you’ve accumulated? Whatever your goal, you’ll need a plan to getContinue reading “See the goal. Achieve the goal.”

Punctuation: Small but mighty!

Do you ever question when to use a comma? Is the right punctuation a colon or a semicolon? Different levels of writing may suggest different uses, but here are some common rules you might find handy. Periods. They go at the end of most sentences, unless you’re injecting excitement or asking a question. But, whereContinue reading “Punctuation: Small but mighty!”

Writing with purpose

I’m sometimes asked to write letters, ads, posts, etc. for my customers. And, of course, I’m always happy to help. Whether it’s a flyer to promote their services or a letter to explain a change, knowing the purpose and what the sender wants the reader to do is an important first step. I like toContinue reading “Writing with purpose”

Don’t leave without a word

There may come a time when you’re ready to leave the business. This could happen for a number of reasons. Perhaps you’re contemplating retirement or maybe you’re just ready to downsize and spend more time at the cottage with family. Whatever your reason, don’t leave your customers hanging and wondering what happened to you. You’veContinue reading “Don’t leave without a word”

The makings of a great club

I would say, there’s no faster road to success than working with a team that gels together. I’m pondering this idea while I enjoy today’s sunshine from my patio. What makes a great club, team, group… you name it? Here’s what I think. Positive attitudes When you interact with members at club meetings with aContinue reading “The makings of a great club”

Right people, right way, right time

I’m a big believer in planning, at least when it comes to communications and business. However, I’m also notorious for jumping in and asking questions later. Go figure! When you’re creative or a dreamer, it’s more fun to jump right into writing than it is to spend time planning your communication. But planning is important!Continue reading “Right people, right way, right time”

Gold star service — I got it!

I rarely write customer reviews. I don’t have a reason for not writing them, it’s just not something I do. But, today, I just might. I recently hired a builder to create a lattice wall for my garden. The experience exceeded my expectations, so much so that I can’t say enough good things about it.Continue reading “Gold star service — I got it!”

Let’s talk jargon

Language is flooded with words that reflect lifestyles, cultural groups dialects, professional practices or occupations, and those that we just plain make up. Jargon is great, if you’re talking with individuals familiar with the business, topic or area. If you’re communicating to a broader diverse audience, using jargon can lead to confusion. Merriam-Webster defines jargonContinue reading “Let’s talk jargon”

Be creative, write a brief!

Once you’ve defined your brand, it’s time to talk about it. A marketing expert can help you uncover the opportunities to reach more customers and grow your business. After carefully planning out your brand, you’ll be armed with all the information you need to write a sound creative brief. What’s a creative brief, you ask?Continue reading “Be creative, write a brief!”

Build it and they’ll come

You want to build a brand that will be memorable and at the same time, reflect your values and personality. After all, this is the brand that’s going to stand out in the minds of consumers and help you achieve your business goals. Right? These brand-building foundational questions will hopefully get you thinking and startedContinue reading “Build it and they’ll come”