Imagine a world without metaphors. In fact don’t even try…because it is impossible. We simply cannot function in a world without the power of description and understanding provided by metaphors. To remind us, a metaphor is a word or phrase that is used to describe something else to emphasise their similar qualities. A metaphor is … Continue reading A metaphor is a knot that ties a word to an image
We have seven words to propose an idea according to Andrew O’Keefe of Hardwired Humans. 7±2 words is about two seconds – which is our brain’s working memory with information says the Sydney based people-strategies- design author and consultant. Our human instinct when we propose an idea, delegate a task or make a request is … Continue reading Hardwired humans…first seven words
If your story is on point, it effectively is also your strategy. That’s because clarity of both story and strategy is mutually reinforcing, and essentially the same thing. Australian Irishwoman Bernadette Jiwa runs a highly successful business and blog called ‘The Story of Telling’ (don’t I wish I’d thought of such a clever reversing of … Continue reading Ten benefits of strategy as story
Naturally we’d like everyone to read all of our stories all the way through. But what encourages readers to keep on engaging, hang in there until the end? A fascinating study by Jonah Berger, Wendy Mae and David Schweider has unearthed that not all emotion is created equal when it comes to encouraging extended online … Continue reading How to get longer reads of your online content
Is it simple? Could your staff quickly, accurately (and perhaps poetically) tell a stranger what the business does? Do they immediately demonstrate they understand the business and who its products and services appeal to? Or would they stumble around with variations of “we do lots of things?” You owe it to those working in the … Continue reading Do your staff a favour – have a simple first story
Knowing the framework around which you’re going to build a house, or a website, make construction so much easier. The alternative is to start building, see what happens…and then have to change it all completely. Getting that framework right is the difficult bit. But once you have it, you’re filling in the gaps. For a … Continue reading The five-vital-pieces framework for website copy
Restricting yourself to 10 words, tell me about your business. Is it simple? Have you described why someone should be interested in your product or service? Is it succinct? Have you given me a what and a why? Does it resonate? Is part of the heart and soul of who you are evident along with … Continue reading Simple…succinct…resonating?
There’s an old saying that if you don’t tell your own story, somebody else will. Which means if we want to have a say in how someone else relates our brand or company, then it is in our major self-interest to deliberately craft that story. Such an intent starts with your first story – a … Continue reading If you don’t tell your own story…somebody else will
Well-known author of 19 best selling non-fiction books Seth Godin knows a thing or two about writing. He reckons we scan 10 words the first time we read a page, post, ad or memo. He recommends highlighting the 10 most important words of the 1000 (or 100 or whatever) words you originally write. Then start … Continue reading We scan a page and see 10 words
Sometimes, out of the blue, a song will trigger a memory. “The Otherside” by Breaks Co-Op came on the BizDojo co-working space Spotify playlist the other day. I can picture Jeff, a former work colleague and friend singing it at the top of his voice over a decade ago in an office we worked out … Continue reading A song triggers a memory of a friend who died far too early