It’s bad thinking expressed in words…
When you tell people you write for a living there is an expectation that you’ll a. know every word in the dictionary b. have read every book ever published. I’m working on it but there are lots of words and lots and lots of books. But I do know if I ever decide to pretend I’ve absorbed every word of some obscure 16th century poet, I’ll be in good company.
I’m such a big scaredy cat when it comes to my personal writing. I’m quite happy to put my ‘professional’ writing into the world for all to see, and immune to criticism when it comes my way. It’s quite a different matter when I comes to words I’ve penned just for me. I’m finally facing up to my fears - ok, I’m starting with six sentences, but it’s a start…
Does your website answer these five questions?
1. This is what I’ve got
2. This is what it can do for you
3. This is why you should get it from me
4. This is why you should believe me
5. This is how you can get it
There are some words and phrases that just grind on me. Researchers at Oxford University have complied a list of the top 10 most irritating expressions, including a few of my pet hates. No 5, With all due respect - which means you’re about to tell me something which is incredibly disrespectful and this is your attempt at an arse covering exercise. Also worthwhile reading are the responses from Daily Telegraph readers.
Sitting, wistfully dreaming of becoming a writer? In case you missed it The Guardian recently had an excellent series on how to write - on everything from comedy writing to script writing.
Can the copywriters craft be compared to great literature? Check out Beanz Meanz Rhymz.
We love developing clever company names and amusing strap lines, we recently came up with ‘Making a bum job better’ for Cheeky Wipes. So we appreciate other inventive approaches to naming businesses - how about something new for the concrete industry?
First there was Wikipedia, which encourages anyone and everyone across the globe to contribute their knowledge on a specific place, person, topic, animal, vegetable, mineral, etc, to create one comprehensive resource of truly encyclopedic proportions.
The main downside to this has been the issue of inaccuracy, tied closely to the fact that the reader is well-distanced from the anonymous writers. How can you fully trust what is written if you don’t know who has written it; what their credentials are, what their agenda might be?
Granted, it’s always difficult online to be sure that everyone is who they purport to be (perhaps not just online, thinking about it…); however, regular contact with a reader or writer can at least allow you to judge and make up your own mind.
Perhaps that’s why those unstoppable innovators at Google have come up with GoogleKnols - a website that again encourages anyone and everyone to share their knowledge on anything they like, but this time ensures that everyone knows who is contributing what.
This is not a place for the informal language and opinion-based posts of a blog; a “knol” is a “unit of knowledge”, so the intention should be to create an article that delivers factual information - such as how to create a podcast, or make buttermilk pancakes.
Of course, it can also be a good way of marketing yourself and potentially your business, establishing you as a trusted expert on a particular topic to a potentially global audience - and with the option to link to your own website from your profile page.
Next big thing, or a flash in the pan? Have a look and see what you think.
And if you find any articles explaining how you can get fit without exercise, make the best-tasting chocolate in the world, or win the lottery, do let me know…
According to Gender Analyzer, our website was written by a man. Think there might be a few bugs in their system…