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Many companies are being encouraged to communicate to target audiences using social media tools such as Twitter, facebook, LinkedIn. And for most businesses, they can be tailored to make a great additional tool for our communication and marketing toolbox. However, some  businesses are being told that they must send a certain number of tweets onRead more

In response to Merrett’s recent blog about why she hates telling people she’s in PR, I said to her, that’s exactly why I tell people that I’m a writer! Whenever I meet somebody new, or do my elevator pitch, I hardly ever say upfront that I am in PR, for all the reasons that Merrett’sRead more

“Of course I know my clients,” I hear you say. But have you truly profiled them and pulled them apart? Whether they are a regular referrer to your business or your top client, if you want to grow your business, you want more of them. But increasing these clients means you really need to knowRead more

In this last post in a series about the impact word choice has on how effectively your message is received, we look at wordiness including verbosity, redundancy, and superfluity. Verbosity is using big pompous words. Redundancy is using words that say the same as another word. While superfluity is a bit like gobbledygook, using unnecessaryRead more

In the second last post in a series about choosing the right word when communicating, we look how archaic words are still appearing in many business’s writing, particularly standard letters. Archaic words are words and phrases that were once used regularly, but are now less common. Of course, the English language continually evolves, and possiblyRead more

Euphemisms are words and phrases that soften hard expressions and create an air of politeness. Different industries have different euphemisms, and not all are bad. However, we recommend you apply the same rules to euphemisms as you do for cliches: use them if they add value to your writing. Don’t use them if they detractRead more

In this fourth post in a series talking about the importance of choosing the right word when communicating, we look at colloquialisms. In business, using jargon like gobbledygook, clichés, colloquialisms, euphemisms, archaic words and wordiness can make sure you message is ‘lost in translation’. Completely opposite to archaic words and gobbledygook which are formal or larger words,Read more

This is the third post in a series talking about the importance of choosing the right word when communicating. In business, using jargon like gobbledygook, clichés, colloquialisms, euphemisms, archaic words and wordiness can make sure your message is ‘lost in translation’. Clichés are expressions that are so worn out that they almost have no meaning. Although thereRead more

We recently wrote about the importance of choosing the right word when communicating. In business, using jargon like gobbledygook, clichés, colloquialisms, euphemisms, confusable words or verbosity can make sure your message is ‘lost in translation’. This post looks at the use of gobbledygook: pompous or unintelligible language often used by writers trying to sound sophisticated. WritersRead more

Caroline’s recent trip to China highlighted the importance of choosing the right word when communicating. Many of you have probably experienced messages that have been lost in translation, like this rather funny photo. In business, using jargon like gobbledygook, clichés, colloquialisms, euphemisms, confusable words or verbosity can make sure your message is ‘lost in translation’,Read more