Writing

Why You Should Adapt Your Email Writing Style to Your Recipient

June 3, 2011 By Charles 4 Comments

Everyone has a their own special way of communication and expression over email.

Some are more formal and start each message with a salutation like “Hi, Charles –” and end with a goodbye like “Sincerely, Howard.” They do this every single email, even if it’s a rapid fire conversation.

There are others who don’t address me by name at all. Just plain, unlabeled dialog with no greeting or exit. Sometimes all lower case.

Then there’s the signature. You’ve got the ones who type out their name at the end of each message, and those who rely on the standard pre-written signature. More spartan email writers leave no name. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing

5 Resume Writing Tips Taken Straight From Google

April 18, 2011 By Charles 3 Comments

Gary Vaynerchuk may be the master of the crushing it with a personal brand, but he was dead wrong when he declared on national TV that the resume was dead. The resume remains the first thing any employer asks to see.

If you’re like me and looking for a great career with meaning and lucrative work, I recommend you take Google’s advice on how to prepare a resume.

You may not be interested in working at Google, but it’s helpful to understand how their reputable hiring prowess can make you a better applicant no matter where you choose to work.

The first two tips are stated directly by Google. The last three are my own which I gathered from “reading between the lines.” [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business and Marketing, Writing

Embrace naked blogging

April 14, 2011 By Charles 2 Comments

Blogging isn’t easy unless you’re comfortable doing it.

There are brilliant bloggers who struggle writing catchy headlines and well-sculpted copy—they’re just not wired for it. Yet, they persist because that’s the winning formula. It attracts attention and delivers value, so they say.

But the result of forcing a writer into a copywriter’s shoes is painful. Needless hours (years!) are lost to hyping ideas with padded, ornate language. It’s like getting all dressed up to go to a clothing-optional beach.

Naked blogging is the way to go, though it’s not without sacrifice. For example—fewer people will click on the title of this post because it’s not hyped up enough. Google won’t know what to do with it, either.

But I can’t hide anymore, just like Seth Godin or Chris Brogan can’t. Neither should you.

This trek is inevitably longer and more hazardous, but you get to be true to yourself every step of the way.

You get to say what you want in the way that you want, and that brand of freedom is priceless.

Photo by Alaskan Dude.

Filed Under: Blogging, Writing

7 Uneasy Coercion Tactics That Will Force You to Write

March 21, 2011 By Charles 5 Comments

Writing is tricky and delicate work. Sometimes all the ideas are there but the writing isn’t.

When this happens, I usually seek some unconventional solutions to give me a boost, but they don’t always work. That’s when I turn to coercion tactics.

You know—stuff that gets results but nobody really talks about how it’s done. Kind of like waterboarding, but for writers.

Here are a few not-so-gentle techniques that should do the trick: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Mindset and Productivity, Writing

How to Write a Powerful and Influential Letter That Will Change Your Life

December 21, 2010 By Charles 3 Comments

There are times in life when you absolutely need the right words to get you through tense or troubling situations. This is where knowing how to write a powerful letter can do some serious damage in your favor. Writing a solid letter is by far one of the best ways to get your point across in a clear, organized and razor sharp manner. Unlike talking, writing allows you to collect your thoughts and feelings into an official, permanent statement. Later down the line nobody can deny what you’ve said because it’s been written down. To date, I’ve written about ten very memorable letters that have helped me capitalize on rare opportunities or overcome high-pressure and abusive situations, such as: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing