writing & editing
In seventh grade, a small group of us students concocted a daylong game. We raised our hands during every classroom lesson to ask the teacher a succession of questions that began with the word “why.” “Why did the author spend two pages describing his dinner when a paragraph would do?” “Why does that formula work?” “Why exactly are we learning about British colonization of India?” Our goal: See how many why questions it took to...
I occasionally am asked how to break into any field, but especially writing and editing. The referrals come from those who know my work and my track record. I wanted to share some of that advice with anyone pursuing a creative field. These practices and guiding principles worked for me whenever I job hunted. And, they apply to anyone regardless of their stage in life. Do your best, knowing some days will be more challenging...
Today is better known in certain circles as May the 4th Be with You, a loose play on the most famous line in a long list of Star Wars movies. But we’re going to open with another sci-fi classic: Blade Runner. If you caught the last half hour of the Oscars the other weekend, then you likely laughed at Harrison Ford reading a list of feedback from producers to director Ridley Scott after a screening...
There’s a lot of buzz these days around non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, tied to blockchains and smart contracts previously outside creatives’ domains. But recent sales of $300 million in cryptocurrency for digital art assets is turning heads—and shaking them too. Just what is going on, and do these tech topics benefit creatives (beyond the obvious financial gains)? I’ve listened to numerous podcasts and scoured a dozen articles on the topic. Though less hazy on what’s...
In prehistoric times, people relied on images alone to convey a story. In the Information Age, images have great significance in every form of communication along with words. It’s a designer’s job to present both imagery and words together in impactful and original ways. Connecting with an audience using high-quality images that are paired with content raises the profile and perception of a business, which in turn, builds trust and respect. Here’s how to...
Anecdotes in articles, whether in print, broadcast or digital media, are one of the best ways to attract someone’s attention. People want real-life examples that underscore a point or illustrate a problem. But these same people will pick a bone if that example doesn’t deliver. That’s why it’s important that any brief story or scenario you incorporate align with the rest of the content. A tale of two Austin area residents Take the case of...
February 2021
The B2B Writer, Reader and ‘New to Know’
Generating content that appeals to a variety of audiences is among the more perplexing aspects of B2B writing. The high-level, highly scannable copy favored by chief executives likely will disappoint the detail-oriented practitioner in need of instruction, not just insight. That’s why it’s critical the intended audience and/or personas for any content marketing be well defined. What also is important, and sometimes overlooked, is the writer’s comfort level with a given topic. Does this person...
January 2021
Some Content to Help You Get Through … Whatever
I spent a lot of the last two weeks of 2020 finally catching up on books, blogs, podcasts, television shows and movies I’d long ignored. So, I figured I’d open a new year of Twirling Tiger Tales with some recommendations for what to consume in the coming days or weeks—whether you find yourself swept up in a coronavirus surge or just in need of a distraction. Watch: Death to 2020 It hasn’t received the kindest...
We care about your success.
If you need help, we’re here for you!
- GET RESULTS NOW