Talking shift

May 11, 2022 – Tips and tricks

Fighting talk: how words can help you win the great talent scrap

It’s happy days for job candidates. Unemployment levels in the UK and US are at record lows. Over two-thirds of businesses globally are facing a talent shortage. Almost half are intending to increase advertising for their job vacancies. The pickings are rich.

Writing HR & internal comms

Mar 21, 2022 – Our take

Broad and brilliant brains: how to attract neurodiverse talent

We’ve talked before about how two brains are better than one. But even 20 great brains won’t make anything exceptional if they’re all wired the same way. What you need in your team is the perspectives and skills of all kinds of minds — a bubbling pool of neurodiverse talent.

Jan 21, 2022 – It works

Brand language: two things to try in 2022

Two trends are changing the way readers think – and what they expect from brands. To keep up, you’ll have to learn how to write for an audience with a strong social conscience and a short attention span. Here’s how to make a start.

Consulting Brand & marketing

Jan 13, 2022 – Our take

Carbon copy: what writers can learn from the language of climate emergency

... or should that be climate change? Learn how the different sides of the environmental debate use language to demand action - and to delay it.

Consulting Brand & marketing

Nov 22, 2021 – Tips and tricks

Our best writing advice rounded up.

How best to keep something in mind? Add in an element of rhyme. Read our top tips: 21 limericks. A good use of any downtime.

Consulting

Nov 01, 2021 – Our take

It’s all a bit Meta: Facebook and the parent brand problem

A name is the biggest building block in the story you tell about your brand. So Meta – the revamped Facebook parent brand – is a name with a lot on its shiny, augmented reality shoulders. And it can tell us something about the challenge posed by parent brands in general.

Naming Brand & marketing

Oct 28, 2021 – Tips and tricks

How tone of voice can improve your customer experience

“Good afternoon, you have reached Any Bank customer service. How may I be of assistance?” You’ve probably heard that greeting, or something like it, a hundred times. Now compare this: “Hi, and thanks for calling Any Bank. My name is Bob. How can I help you?” I know which person I’d rather speak to.

Training Customer experience

Oct 14, 2021 – It works

Better writing equals better customer experience

Clearer writing doesn’t just help you connect. It makes you more efficient, saves you money and sharpens up your processes, which customers will love you for.

Training Writing Customer experience

Oct 05, 2021 – Our take

Digital Poets Society: will AI replace or enhance human writers?

Let’s start with the good news: writers aren’t about to lose their jobs to robots.

Consulting

Oct 01, 2021 – Our take

Ten and-a-half things brands should know about tone of voice

We help brands with their tone of voice every day. We’ve even commissioned UK tone of voice research. Here are 10.5 things we’ve learnt as the go-to experts.

Sep 24, 2021 – Our take

What’s brand messaging – and how do you create it?

Our tips for creating an authentic brand message, plus a quick guide to what brand messaging houses, brand purpose and value propositions are all about.

Consulting Brand & marketing

Sep 15, 2021 – Wordy thoughts

Language barrier: why using jargon can exclude your readers

Business or academic jargon can create a language barrier. We share 5 ways you can make your writing clearer and reach a wider audience. Have a read.

Sep 14, 2021 – Our take

Half full: how to write with optimism

Customers will spend money with any brand that can legitimately promise a better tomorrow. So, how can you infuse your writing with gentle rays of sunshine?

Consulting Brand & marketing

Aug 02, 2021 – Tips and tricks

Why readability means drawing in, not dumbing down

Why readability means drawing in – The Writer Did you know? The more readable your writing, the more people you’re likely to reach with it. See why readability and inclusive language go hand-in-hand.

Consulting

Jun 08, 2021 – Our take

What makes a good name?

Your name is the shortest story you’ll ever tell about your brand. And the most important. It’s the world’s first impression of you. Brand names tell people what we’re about – with structure, sound, and a good story to back it up.

Naming Brand & marketing

Mar 30, 2021 – Our take

Be less Burger King: three ways to write for everyone

When it comes to inclusive language, it’s not the thought that counts. Even if you have the very best intentions, your words still have the power to offend.

Consulting

Mar 29, 2021 – Our take

Words can change behaviours – if there’s a will and a way

Changing behaviours is tricky. We need to want to do it (The Will) and be able to do it (The Way). And the parts of the brain in charge of motivation and learning new skills are completely separate. So if you want people to change the way they write, you need to work on both. Here’s how...

Consulting Brand & marketing

Jan 12, 2021 – News

Unprecedented copy: the best brand writing of 2020

There were new words: coronacoaster, furlough, maskne. There were old words: clichés landing in our inboxes quicker than you can say now more than ever. There were frustratingly woolly words from governments, and plenty of brilliant words, too.

Brand & marketing

Dec 21, 2020 – Wordy thoughts

Why is ‘why’ so powerful?

Google’s Year in Search 2020 video is all about asking ‘why’. From ‘why is it called covid-19’ to ‘why are people protesting’ to ‘why is Mars red’. (Be warned, it’s an emotional watch.)

Writing

Oct 05, 2020 – Our take

Tone-deaf crisis comms, corrected

We’ve all come across them during “these uncertain times” – tone-deaf, cliché, or generally unhelpful Covid communications.