How to write winning award entries

Ever wondered how a product gets to be awarded ‘the world’s best’? It’s not a level playing field – yes, each product has an equal chance of winning. But not every product is going to enter, and the common mistake we all make is focusing on competition that isn’t even...

When marketing automation goes bad

Online reviews from happy customers are a great way to win more business. Marketing automation can help you, by sending emails to ask for feedback. But while automation can save you time, you also don’t want to make these mistakes. Today, The Body Shop UK sent me this...

Digital skills your writer needs right now

I know successful business people who can’t add up for toffee. Likewise, my design skills suck. You can’t do it all, which is why you need to bring in a specialist. Or be prepared to give it a try. Which is often my approach, and why I’ve got a better understanding of...

Are you targeting the right reader?

Recently I was talking to a designer who had been asked by their client to redesign an employee magazine. The client is a multinational company, with a workforce of tens of thousands spread across multiple locations worldwide. It has grown rapidly through acquisition....

How to write clear instructions

When you borrow an electric car from Enterprise Car Club, they give you printed instructions covering the basics such as how to start it, and how to return it to the charging point. The thing is, the unfamiliar charging set-up gets all the attention, at the expense of...