I hope the weather where you are is as nice as it has been here in Washington, D.C.
Since the last newsletter, I’ve been working on several copy editing projects, but I do have room in my schedule for new work. So please, if you or a colleague are seeking help with messaging or creating/re-creating marketing materials, please get in touch. I’d be happy to discuss how we can work together.
Taking on a personal challenge, I recently became a volunteer tutor with the Literacy Council of Montgomery County. To do so, I participated in two six-hour workshops, and have agreed to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to two women, one from Ukraine and the other from Hong Kong. This experience has strengthened my belief that the ability to communicate (well) is a crucial skill. It’s especially important for recent immigrants who have to do everything--go grocery shopping, fill out forms, apply for jobs, find housing--in a new language they barely manage.
Do you ever have trouble coming up with ideas for your blogs and newsletters? I know I do! Below I provide some help. And, in this era of fake news, having credibility matters as you will read in my communications tip below.
Best regards,
Deborah
How to come up with fresh ideas
If we were to ask people why they stopped blogging or sending out their newsletters, I would bet that most people would say it’s because they ran out things to say or ideas to write about.
This is a real problem for every communicator, so how do you overcome it? You’ll simply have to generate new stories or ideas. Perhaps you keep a notebook (paper or electronic) with you at all times to jot down ideas. Or you read lots of different publications and bookmark interesting articles. For me, the absolute best way to get inspired is to travel. Getting out of your routine and seeing new things quite literally provides a fresh perspective.
But, if travel plans are not in your immediate future, there are other ways to get creative. I’ve found some great posts on how to generate ideas and how to brainstorm effectively. Here they are:
What is your favorite way to come up with new ideas? Drop me a line and let me know.
Communications tip: It’s all about credibility
With all the talk about fake news, it’s become increasingly important to highlight (and safeguard) your credibility. How do you make sure that your website, social media feed, and other communications materials appear credible? First, don’t share information that you haven’t verified or can’t find a source for. Search for proof of any claims. Second, make sure that your materials are up to date and current. No outdated telephone numbers or email addresses. If a team member has left your organization, be sure to update your website. Third, be transparent. This means providing complete and accurate contact information, names of team members, current affiliations you hold, and so forth.
Let's work together!
Deborah Brody Marketing Communications services:
▪ Writing and copy editing of marketing/communications materials ▪ Communications and social media consulting ▪ Communications and social media audits ▪ Customized blog training and workshops
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