Today, organizations are using the Web to reach a variety of users, from the customers who buy a company’s products and services to prospective employees who become the human resources needed to support a successful business. These potential customers and employees rely on popular search engines like Google to get the information they need to make a purchase or their next career move. That’s … [Read more...]
Tomorrow, I'll be 39. As I look in the mirror and run my fingers through my hair, I can't help but notice the single strands of bright white peeking through my naturally jet-black mane. I admit it. The first thing I want to do is grab my tweezers and pluck those pesky white hairs out. They're messing with the flow of my perfect black hair. And they make me feel older than I want to … [Read more...]
I've worried you. I apologize. Some of you think I've fallen gravely ill, died or worse, that Write to Incite is now defunct (it's not). Emails and private messages from Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have begun to trickle in asking, "Where are you?" and "Are you OK?" You have reason to to be concerned. I am too, because for more than two months I haven't posted a single blog post here or … [Read more...]
This is a re-post from TalentMinded.com, a site where I regularly contribute content. Outside of building one-to-one relationships with candidates through recruiters, employers can foster a sense of familiarity and likeability among candidates by sharing stories online. Job seekers who get a sense of value from your company’s employment-related content get to better know your brand and, in … [Read more...]
Today, I'm tackling a question that I'm often asked, "How do you get new clients (or projects)?" The answer is insanely simple, but it definitely involves work that many aren't willing to do. Why? Because it's hard (if you let it to be) and because it usually forces you to be more bold than you're probably accustomed to being. But if you're up for the challenge or desperate enough for the … [Read more...]
Z-z-z-z-z-z-z... Does your writing cause readers to fall asleep? Great content is both useful and entertaining, even in business. So nix the dry, sleepy corporate speak and follow these quick tips to add much need oomph! to your writing: 1. Have a conversation. Write in active voice, use short paragraphs and include personal pronouns like "you" to involve your reader. Your English teach may … [Read more...]
You're familiar with the fable, Jack and the Beanstalk: Jack is told by his mother to sell their cow for money, but his plans are diverted when he's offered magic beans and promised they'll grow overnight into a beanstalk that reaches the sky. Sensing a bargain (and less work on his part), Jack accepts the bargain. Wouldn't it be nice if content marketing were a magic bean, that when planted … [Read more...]
Once you decide to start a blog, creating it is a snap. You can install most blogs to your website with one-click installation and customize it with ready-made templates. Thirty minutes later, you've got a blog! And for awhile it's like the first few months of wedded bliss. You're madly in love with your blog. You give it special attention -- day and night -- gazing at it, caressing it, and … [Read more...]
Content marketing, like traditional marketing, is most effective when you have a target audience. But it takes more than jotting down a few demographic data points to develop content that attracts and engages your perfect client. The "anyone with a heartbeat" content marketing approach doesn't work either. It's tough influencing the masses with cookie-cutter content. No one likes to be a … [Read more...]
It's commonly known that when people know, like and trust you, they are more likely to do business with you. Content marketing helps in that process. As people experience and gain value from your content, you become known, are more liked and develop trust with them. But it takes more than producing great content to close a sale. You've also got to be a strategic thinker. A tactical … [Read more...]
