CATEGORY: Writing

The comma is your friend . . .

I like to say that I work with people whose job is “to get the message out.”  And although I sell media replication and multimedia servicves, my job is deeply affected by my writing skills.  I am sure it’s no different for you.

Now, you may not recall your days in English class with fondness, but I suggest you should think of the comma as your friend when it comes to your written communications. 

You can check out this link for a refresher on the details of proper usage of commas: http://tinyurl.com/rwlyb, but to sum it up, remember that the main  purpose of a comma is to inform the reader of your written work where to take a breath.

That’s important when writing e-mails, proposals, resumes . . . and yes, even when Twittering and texting.

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Good Writing Will Always be in Demand

So our teenage daughter mentioned at dinner the other night that she is giving some thought about making journalism a career. 

It’s really the first time she has spoken outwardly about her professional interests, so my wife and I wanted to handle this in a supportive manner.

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Effective Writing: Think Like the Fox

The fox turned and stared straight at the camera for several long seconds. Then, apparently judging that we were not a threat, she continued with her main business of hunting food. We kept rolling.

I’ve been filming – or attempting to film – red foxes in my neighborhood for one of my new independently-produced segments for Maryland Public Television’s weekly series, Outdoors Maryland. It occurred to me during my stalking endeavors that pursuing foxes is not unlike pursuing viewers of a media production, whether documentary or corporate, video or website.

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I want to “just” say “only” this . . .

Susanne Stahley’s “Better Writing” posts http://davidryanmediasolutions.com/2008/03/08/no-one-will-watch/ got me thinking about how successful marketers are usually also good writers.

It’s important to pay attention to the details when it comes to your business writing.  It matters because just as people judge you by your dress and manners, they also judge you from  your writing — (and yes, I’m talking about the writing in your e-mails too)

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