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Talking shift

Hot off the press: our thoughts on what's happening in the world of brand language and business writing. Warning: may contain the occasional rant.

AI

Human first, human last: how our creatives use (or don’t use) AI

Every creative has their own way of working – tricks, shortcuts, rituals. For some, AI’s sworn by. For others, it’s sworn at. Find out where we fall into it all.

Consulting, Writing

Writing tips

The language of leaders: flip the script and get people on your side

Great leaders don’t communicate, they connect. Grab two quick tips to help you turn everyday messages into moments that move people.

Writing, HR & internal comms

Writing tips

Brand storytelling 101: How to sell an ice cream

We often talk to our big FMCG clients about emotional vs functional benefits in marketing. Essentially, what a product does for you, vs how it makes you feel.

Training, Brand & marketing

Customer Experience

Good writing can double conversion rate – we’ve got proof

We know the value of writing that sells products. Convincing clients they can improve conversion with better writing can be tough. We set out to change that.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Customer Experience

Better writing equals better customer experience

Writing to reduce customer complaints might not be exactly what you always dreamed of. But we can all agree that a happy client’s a good thing...

Training, Writing, Customer experience

Writing tips

Hook readers in the first 10 seconds

What Hollywood directors can teach us about a good Call-to-action (CTA)

Writing, Brand & marketing

Accessibility

A readability checker: tool, or rule?

Are you creating truly accessible content, or are readability scores giving you a false sense of security? Here's why you can't rely on automated scores alone.

Consulting

AI

Stop the slop: how to write online in 2025

In an age overrun by AI-generated drivel, the internet is drowning in 'slop'. Cheap, low-quality content designed for clicks, not substance. We’ve got 3 pieces of advice to help push your writing above the twaddle.

Writing

Tone of voice

3 reasons your rebrand may be met with disdain

From Google's logo update to Pepsi's wavy stripe and Jaguar's electric pivot to Dunkin's subtle evolution - discover why brand transformations often face resistance, and the crucial steps to winning over skeptical audiences in your next rebrand.

Consulting, Brand & marketing

Accessibility

Cisco’s got less jargon. Better readability. And the data to back it up.

We talk to the Managing Editor of Cisco’s Global Employee Communications, about accessibility, inclusivity, and global readability—from a language perspective.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Brainstorming is broken. Here’s how we fix it.

Pass the shovel. We'll dig brainstorming's grave and then show you a better way to run team thinking.

Consulting, Brand & marketing

Tone of voice

Final moment of truth: will your pack copy seal the deal or break your brand?

Hear how language is key for brands to get their products into customer baskets.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Culture

The next chapter at The Writer: Charli Nordone appointed as CEO

We sat down with Charli to ask what advice she has for brands, now and in the future. And a little on what she hopes her future might hold.

Consulting, Customer experience

Writing tips

Get what you want: start planning reports with reason

Here's a secret: report writing's easy. We share three steps to write reports that get you what you want.

Consulting, Learning & development

Diversity and Inclusion

How Mindful Language is Boosting HSBC's Bottom Line

Hear how HSBC are creating a more mindful workplace culture. Learn how to put mindful language into practice at work.

Training, HR & internal comms, Learning & development

Writing tips

Captivate with chemistry: three tricks for irresistible storytelling

The psychology of storytelling

Brand & marketing

AI

Artificial intelligence: Human alchemy

Generative AI: without a human hand, heart and mind, it’s mute . Artificial intelligence is best paired with human intelligence, creativity, curiosity and craft.   When it comes to writing, it needs us.

Writing, Brand & marketing

Naming

To Name Or Not To Name?

Naming things is fun. It’s a science and an art all at once. And we love helping our clients name all sorts of things: products, processes, services, you name it (or rather, we do).

Naming, Brand & marketing

Writing tips

Tackling tricky messages: the good way to give bad news

Companies need to communicate bad news all the time, so it’s surprising they often still get it wrong. Learn the science behind delivering difficult messages.

AI

You get what you give: the basics of using AI language tools

When it comes to AI models like Chat-GPT and its language-learning brethren, we’ve found one thing to be strikingly clear: you get what you give. Which means that prompt design – or what you say to Large Language Models