Peak or Peek (or Pique?)

Love a good set of homophones…

So I jumped on the comment by my SO Jim about how often people confuse “peak” and “peek.” Here are some thoughts on how to keep them straight when you’re writing:

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Double Negatives

Recently, my partner Jim mentioned that he’s noticed more and more people using double negatives. And he wondered why.

A double negative is when two negative statements are applied to the same subject in a sentence. Double negatives are often used in everyday speech, and examples abound in popular song lyrics – from the Rolling Stones’ “I can’t get no satisfaction” to Pink Floyd’s “We don’t need no education.”

Beyond the fact that communication has become a lot more casual these days, I’m not aware of any reason why people may be using double negatives more often.

But I do know this: when it comes to proper grammar, they are generally considered a no-no. Read more

The Colon/Capitalization Question

As you might suspect, I’m addressing the colon/capitalization question because I often wonder if I’m doing it right. Since I write for a living, you’d think I’d have it figured out. But my confusion is justified – because the answer to the question, “Do you capitalize a word after a colon?” is…sometimes.

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Better Than or Better Then?

It’s August. With any luck, you’re relaxing somewhere, enjoying your favorite {adult} beverage. So, I’ll get right to the point: “then” and “than” are NOT the same word. And here’s the basic difference:

  • “Then” is used when you’re talking about something relating to time. It’s the choice for phrases like “just then,” “back then,” and “every now and then.” And after words like “since” and “until.”
  • “Than” is the got-to when you’re talking about comparisons: “older than,” “stronger than,” “less than,” “bigger than.” It also follows the words “other” and “rather.”

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Nothing Beats a Thank You Note

‘Tis the season when we focus on gratitude. And nothing says “I totally appreciated that” like sending a handwritten note.

Okay – maybe diamonds or a big wad of cash would be more impressive. But when it comes to heartfelt and sincere, a simple thank you note takes the cake. It’s classy. It sends a powerful message about what you value {kindness, generosity, manners.} And it makes the recipient feel special. Really special.

So why don’t we actually do it?

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Everything Interesting is 90% Boring

In an interview with Krista Tippett for The On Being Project, author Elizabeth Gilbert said, “Everything that’s interesting is 90% boring.”

She was talking about how “creative” jobs may seem glamorous, but the work is actually tedious. Lately I’ve been feeling that way about blog writing.

I love what I do for a living and have no shortage of ideas to write about. But sometimes the process of turning even the most exciting idea into marketing content can be a total buzzkill.

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Is Anyone Reading What You’re Writing?

“Easy reading is damn hard writing.” – Anonymous

I wrote this before the COVID-19 s**t storm hit, and have struggled with whether to revise or toss it. Who needs more crap to sift through when we’re focused on staying afloat?

But one of the ways I cope with anxiety is by being productive. So I’m posting it – not just to have something to do, but because it’s {sort of} relevant.

Now more than ever, the content we write has to be readable.

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Give the Gift of Authenticity

“At its heart, a compelling brand story is a kind of gift that gives your audience a way to connect with you as one person to another.” Ann Handley

Just in time for the holiday shopping blitz, the WSJ reported at least a third of the online reviews for major retailers are phony.

In my neighborhood, inflatables sprouted on front lawns like weeds. Faux reindeer mixed with twirling snow globes and outsized Woodys or Charlie Browns. Read more

The Blacklist

no-more-jargon-content-marketingIt’s kind of a love-hate thing. My feelings about The Blacklist, that is.

If you haven’t seen the NBC crime drama, the basic premise is a most-wanted criminal turns himself in to the FBI and offers to help them track down a “blacklist” of elusive criminals they have a mutual interest in eliminating. Read more

Listen to Your Heart

open heartIt’s February – and we all know what that means. We’re bombarded with messages about love and romance and (if we’re women) keeping our hearts healthy.

All this heart talk got me thinking about my relationships with the people and things I love. Which eventually led to the following question:

When was the last time you fell in love…with your business? Read more