An “undelivered e-mail” message can be frustrating for freelance writers and other self-employed business owners. Learning that the e-mail bounced because your mail server is on a blacklist can be infuriating. This scenario is also called a “mail block,” a Realtime blacklist, or DNS-based Blackhole List.* I recently went through a fairly protracted situation with
In most of my complimentary consultations, I’m asked a variation of, “is this the type of writing/marketing/editing your content marketing business does?” When I started my business, at the end of the recession, the answer was almost always “yes.” These days, it’s more of a qualified “yes.” I don’t consider myself a generalist, but I’m
It all started with Heartbleed. I’m sure the 2014 security bug is a distant and unpleasant memory for many, but I always keep it in mind. (Heartbleed was a vulnerability in the “Open SSL” library that could allow hackers to steal information that we all thought was supposed to be safely encrypted). I was working
I try to keep my initial complimentary consultation focused on the problems of my prospective clients, and the potential ways I can help. Questions about cost can bog the conversation down. Business owners (and marketing managers eyeing their budgets) understandably feel they’re entering uncharted territory when they seek freelance writers or editors. Even in the
A few weeks ago, a financial advisor friend of mine and I had a conversation about the terminology of our respective professions. I mentioned how a few people seemed ambivalent about calling themselves copywriters, and some had started using the term, “content strategist.” “Copy” is a journalism term and one that evokes smoky newsrooms and
It is the dawn of Obamacare.* October 1st marked the first day that U.S. citizens, with or without a history of health problems, can log on to state or federal health insurance exchanges and shop for comprehensive health insurance plans. The law is new, and it’s understandable that there is still confusion, as well as
Content strategy is a broad concept, by design. The content strategy for a small business in Portland or Hillsboro, Oregon, will differ from Whirlpool‘s content strategy, for example. Of course, both content strategies may share similar elements, like social media outreach and special promotions. Research and A/B testing would likely play a role for each
Lauren Edwards is an experienced writing coach with 10 years of public relations expertise – first with A&R Partners, and then with Edelman. Lauren gives some of the best writing advice I have ever read. I’ve trained people how to write for specific audiences – primarily the lending, investing, and venture capital community. This ain’t
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