• Content Collaboration Partner

    What's that mean?

    First, if you're a solo-preneur, sole proprietor or small business person, I can teach you to write it or write it for you: news releases, social media marketing (like blogs and email blasts), creative web copy, e-zines & newsletters, brochures, and articles.

    Second, if you want to learn how to make money as a freelance writer and content creator, I can teach you that, too.

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Are you a dream client?

Posted on April 23, 2013 by kelly koepke

Be a good clientWant to be a dream client for a writer? Any creative professional, actually? Know these four things when you talk to them:

  1. Know the benefits of your product or service. Specifically, what problem does your service or product solve. Why should someone buy something, anything, from you? That you’re a great person isn’t enough.
  2. Know the vehicle by which your message will be delivered. Is this message for an email campaign, a web site, an article in a business publication, or something else? The method of information presentation will often dictate the content and message length.
  3. Know your style. Do you want the message to be presented in a humorous way? Formally? With a cheeky tone or in a straightforward manner?
  4. Clarify language “dos” and “don’ts.” At the beginning of the project, be specific about words you need to include or exclude, either by regulation or out of sensitivity to your audience. YOU are the expert in your industry, so if there are hot button words – positive or negative – share them with the writer.

Keeping these things in mind will make your work with a writer go more smoothly. It will also clarify the intent and purpose of your communication.

Filed under: Blog, Brochures, Ghost Writing, Grammar, Newsletters, Press Releases, Social Media Marketing, Web Copy | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

Quick Tip – Use a Checklist

Posted on April 20, 2013 by kelly koepke

Use a simple checklist before you send out any written communication to ensure that you’ve created the best piece possible, haven’t forgotten anything, and avoided the common mistakes people make. Create your own, or download mine, here, at no charge

Filed under: Blog, Newsletters, Press Releases, Social Media Marketing | 1 Comment »

Accentuate the Positive

Posted on March 28, 2013 by kelly koepke

Regular, consistent and POSITIVE communication is the key to getting your message out and noticed. Ditch the negative and accentuate the postive and you’ll go far. So says Johnny Mercer (click on Mr. Mercer for a treat).

Johnny Mercer

Filed under: Blog, Brochures, Ghost Writing, Newsletters, Press Releases, Social Media Marketing, Web Copy | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

Time Saving Tip: Social Media Scheduling

Posted on March 21, 2013 by kelly koepke

Schedule FB postsScheduling social media posts in advance is a great way to save time and efficiently maintain a presence online. Facebook has a schedule post feature for personal and business accounts, and HootSuite is an effective tool for managing and pre-scheduling multiple social media updates. Because not everyone can be on their smart phone, tablet or computer all the time!

Filed under: Blog, Newsletters, Press Releases, Social Media Marketing, Web Copy | Leave a Comment »

Key Question To Ask When Writing Anything

Posted on March 18, 2013 by kelly koepke

One key question to answer when creating any written communication (email, newsletters, blogs, postcards, letters, press releases, websites):
What action do I want my readers to take? Do I offer them too much? What’s in it for them to act immediately? Then start writing.

Filed under: Blog, Brochures, Ghost Writing, Newsletters, Press Releases, Social Media Marketing, Web Copy | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

It’s Like She Read My Mind!

Posted on February 5, 2013 by kelly koepke

blog collageOMG! I’m like a giddy teenager!!!! It’s like this blogger read my mind when she listed the 10 secrets of professional writers every blogger should know. I’d even broaden the category to every writer, not just every blogger. Here they are, plus a link to the original post. Enjoy!

1. Avoid clichés. But you know that, don’t you? And yet clichés are more systemic and invasive than people imagine. A cliché is any idea or expression that has lost its force through overuse, to the point where it becomes meaningless and drab.

2. Write like you speak. Use a conversational tone. Really. And you don’t have to use complete sentences, either.

3. Talk to your reader like a friend. In real life you would use words like “you” and “I” so use them in your blog, just like you would if you were chatting at a barbeque.

4. Use anecdotes and case studies. These little stories are the spice of blogs. Facts only go so far and no one wants to read too many of them.

5. Parallelism. This sounds technical but means a balance within sentences that have the same grammatical structure.

6. Getting down and dirty. Use adjectives sparingly.

7. But there’s more. There is another part of speech that will make your readers want to put their head in a vice. The dreaded adverb.

8. Exclamation marks! OMG! I know I don’t need to tell you this but exclamation marks can give your writing a gushing, effusive quality! They are mostly used ironically these days so unless you are
an enthusiastic teenager, use with care.

9. Tighten up. Less is better.

10. Rant or reason? If you want people to take you seriously, back up your opinions with facts, research or statistics.

Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2013/01/22/10-secrets-of-professional-writers-every-blogger-should-know/#F3W1r043tfj74Aw8.99

Filed under: Blog, Grammar, Social Media Marketing | 1 Comment »

5 Blogging Tips

Posted on August 6, 2012 by kelly koepke

Having trouble getting that blog post to write itself? Try these 5 tips to get the juices flowing:

1. Write What You Know. Pick a topic that you know about & you’ll find it much easier to write quality content quickly.

2. Let Perfection Go. Accept now that you’re going to make a typo, need to edit later, or even change your mind. You now have permission to do all of those things.

3. Think Short. Not every post needs to be a book. Sometimes short is better.

4. Use Templates. Try a “5 Tips” style post. Choosing a headline and format makes the content creation easier.

5. Be Inspired by Others. Reading other blogs, the newspaper or trade magazines. They’ll help you models posts and generate ideas.

Bonus tip: Hire someone to help you create your posts. You’ve got the ideas. Now let someone else put your brilliance on the page/screen.

 

Filed under: Blog, Ghost Writing, Social Media Marketing, Web Copy | Leave a Comment »

Big Changes!

Posted on June 15, 2012 by kelly koepke

They (the mysterious, omniscient they) say that a change is as good as a rest. Well, I went to a fabulous seminar in April and learned a ton! Not about how to be a better writer, but how to do my BUSINESS better. Yep, big changes are here at chez Kelly, and more to come.

1-I’ve created a brand new package to fill in a hole in my services. Now, in addition to my newsletter, social media, and news release packages, I’ve created one specifically for small businesses and entrepreneurs who want to start (or continue) blogging. Often, you just can’t find the time or the inspiration to write. For the details, email me!

2-I’ve created a program to teach small businesspeople and solo-preneurs how to write their own articles, blog posts, newsletters and websites themselves. And one to teach other freelance writers to actually make money from their trade.

3-I’ve always called myself a writer because that’s what I do. But that’s a widely interpreted term. What do I write? Books? Poetry? Non-fiction? At this seminar, the term Content Collaboration Partner emerged as a way to describe what I do – write the stuff that businesses need to communicate their message and vision. So that’s what I’m going to call myself. What do y’all think?

Whew! That’s a lot, and there’s more to come. Those programs with their worksheets, templates and outlines don’t create themselves!

Filed under: Blog, Social Media Marketing | Leave a Comment »

10 Writing Tips

Posted on March 22, 2012 by kelly koepke

From David Ogilvy, advertising guru. He wrote them in 1982. They’re still spot on today. Tip of the hat to BrainPickings.org

1. Read the Roman-Raphaelson book on writing. Read it three times.

2. Write the way you talk. Naturally.

3. Use short words, short sentences and short paragraphs.

4. Never use jargon words like reconceptualize, demassification, attitudinally, judgmentally. They are hallmarks of a pretentious ass.

5. Never write more than two pages on any subject.

6. Check your quotations.

7. Never send a letter or a memo on the day you write it. Read it aloud the next morning — and then edit it.

8. If it is something important, get a colleague to improve it.

9. Before you send your letter or your memo, make sure it is crystal clear what you want the recipient to do.

10. If you want ACTION, don’t write. Go and tell the guy what you want.

 

Filed under: Blog, Ghost Writing, Social Media Marketing, Web Copy | Leave a Comment »

15 Grammar Goofs – They Make You Look Silly, Are Easy to Avoid

Posted on March 6, 2012 by kelly koepke

Avoid looking silly. Let me proofread your stuff before you send it out into the world.

15 Grammar Goofs That Make You Look Silly
Like this infographic? Get more copywriting tips from Copyblogger.

Special thanks to Copyblogger for allowing anyone to use this. My hero!

Filed under: Blog, Ghost Writing, Press Releases, Social Media Marketing, Web Copy | 2 Comments »

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