No, a robot won’t be taking my job
These days, everyone seems desperate to tell me robots will take my job. The problem is, these people don’t understand what writers actually do. And yeah, maybe it’s sort of our fault. Read more
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More than words: the true value of writers
If you’ve read Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers, you’ll know his theory about taking 10,000 hours of ‘deliberate practice’ to become exceptionally good at something. If all you do every single day is write – and write well – you certainly do get better. But what's really involved? Read more
Five ways to stop the words sabotaging your project
If we pocketed £1 for every conversation we've had about how the words hamstrung a project, we'd have enough to throw a pretty big shindig (you'd be invited, of course). But what's causing the headaches, hand-wringing and hair-pulling? And more importantly, what can you do about it? Read more
5 ways to stay sane – and keep writing
Every writer's been there. Staring at the screen, unable to understand the words they’ve just written. You know something’s not right but you can’t see what it is. Don’t despair. These tips and tricks will keep you sane and have you pressing save and send with confidence. Read more
Paleo banana bread can’t make this script more palatable
It’s hard, as a writer, not to die a little inside when the first 30 seconds of a script shoe-horn in; “I’m off downstairs to get my paleo pear and banana bread…” and “I never thought I’d be working on a program supporting the modernisation across government.” Read more
The glorious side effects of blogging
Blogging isn't just good for your business, it's also good for the blogger. But it can feel like hard work. However, frame it differently, and blogging can feel less of a millstone around your neck and more of a milestone in your personal development. Read more
University challenges (for university marketers)
For universities, attracting the right type of students in the right numbers is an ongoing headache. Here we look at how a little behavioural science can help institutions lead students from interested to engaged to enrolled. And how the words you use can help you do it. Read more
Would you like fries with that content?
From social posts to blog schedules, award submissions to earned media – the life of a piece of content (and the return on your investment) may be larger than you think. Read more
What’s wrong with ‘about’?
Channel 4 News. I hardly ever watch it. But the other evening, my inability to find the remote led to a few minutes’ viewing of post-election coverage in the US. It told me a few things – but more through its style than its content. Read more
Business communications: how to write an opening line…
The opening line of any piece of copy is crucial. Here's a simple tip. Read more