Comments on: Business Blog Writing Tips for Non Writers http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/ Internet Marketing, Branding and Web Development for B2B Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:45:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: barbaraling http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5835 barbaraling Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:44:06 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5835 <p><a href="http://is.gd/4IaNX" rel="nofollow">http://is.gd/4IaNX</a> Business Blog Writing Tips for Non Writers</p> <p><i>This comment was originally posted on <a href="http://twitter.com/barbaraling/statuses/7034898969" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a></i></p> http://is.gd/4IaNX Business Blog Writing Tips for Non Writers

This comment was originally posted on Twitter

]]> By: Barbara the Virtual Coach's Journal - Page 9 http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5834 Barbara the Virtual Coach's Journal - Page 9 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:55:10 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5834 [...] Plugin Exit Popin and commented at http://www.theworkathomewoman.com/20...tiquette-tips/ Business Blog Writing Tips for Non Writers Heads Up Fuel My Blog it’s the 09/09/09 at 9am | Blazing Minds Inspiration Points: The Smart [...] [...] Plugin Exit Popin and commented at http://www.theworkathomewoman.com/20…tiquette-tips/ Business Blog Writing Tips for Non Writers Heads Up Fuel My Blog it’s the 09/09/09 at 9am | Blazing Minds Inspiration Points: The Smart [...]

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5833 Brad Shorr Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:04:45 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5833 Bill, Bryson's "Dictionary" probably is great, judging by other things of his I've read. Many Word Sell readers swear by him, and as you say, he writes brilliantly. Bill, Bryson’s “Dictionary” probably is great, judging by other things of his I’ve read. Many Word Sell readers swear by him, and as you say, he writes brilliantly.

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5832 Brad Shorr Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:03:01 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5832 Hi Terry, You bring up another great point. Actually, I've got an upcoming post in this series where I talk about some of these style issues in more depth, including the one you bring up and one of Clare's. "Burying the lead" is never a good practice for informational writing, whether in newspapers, blogs, or regular web pages. Hi Terry, You bring up another great point. Actually, I’ve got an upcoming post in this series where I talk about some of these style issues in more depth, including the one you bring up and one of Clare’s. “Burying the lead” is never a good practice for informational writing, whether in newspapers, blogs, or regular web pages.

]]> By: Bill http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5831 Bill Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:00:30 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5831 Another resource to consider/perhaps add to your list - "Bryson's Dictionary for Writers and Editors". While I have only read reviews and not checked out the actual resource, do know that Bill Bryson is a very gifted writer on a number of topics. Another resource to consider/perhaps add to your list – “Bryson’s Dictionary for Writers and Editors”. While I have only read reviews and not checked out the actual resource, do know that Bill Bryson is a very gifted writer on a number of topics.

]]> By: Brad Shorr http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5830 Brad Shorr Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:58:23 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5830 Barbara, The Manual of Style is the most comprehensive grammar and style guide I've found. And, it doubles nicely as a doorstop! Clare, Thanks for your additional tips - they are all marvelous and spot on. I'm relieved to learn that dashes are acceptable at Cambridge. Case closed on that one! Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't colons and semicolons much more in vogue in the 19th and early 20th centuries? When people still understood the rules of grammar? And yes, I know all about that corporate tool stuff. :) Bill, Hey, welcome back! I appreciate the feedback on the site. Jesse Petersen did a fantastic job. You are absolutely correct about the margins - it's the text column you want to keep reasonably narrow. I will have to go back and correct that - thanks for keeping my on my toes. Barbara, The Manual of Style is the most comprehensive grammar and style guide I’ve found. And, it doubles nicely as a doorstop!

Clare, Thanks for your additional tips – they are all marvelous and spot on. I’m relieved to learn that dashes are acceptable at Cambridge. Case closed on that one! Correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t colons and semicolons much more in vogue in the 19th and early 20th centuries? When people still understood the rules of grammar? And yes, I know all about that corporate tool stuff. :)

Bill, Hey, welcome back! I appreciate the feedback on the site. Jesse Petersen did a fantastic job. You are absolutely correct about the margins – it’s the text column you want to keep reasonably narrow. I will have to go back and correct that – thanks for keeping my on my toes.

]]> By: Terry Heath http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5829 Terry Heath Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:51:55 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5829 Your post got me thinking about blogging's relationship to journalism. I never studied journalism directly, but do remember something about putting your most important points and information first since editors might chop parts off the end or readers might just be scanning. We don't have editors on most blogs, but readers do scan, so this tip for journalists might be useful for bloggers too. Thanks for another great post. Your post got me thinking about blogging’s relationship to journalism. I never studied journalism directly, but do remember something about putting your most important points and information first since editors might chop parts off the end or readers might just be scanning. We don’t have editors on most blogs, but readers do scan, so this tip for journalists might be useful for bloggers too.

Thanks for another great post.

]]> By: Bill http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5828 Bill Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:48:15 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5828 Good points, Brad. Also, had not visited Word Sell for a few days, so had not seen the fresh, new layout. Well done! Something to clarify under Typography, point # 9 - "Keep post margins reasonable narrow.Wide lines of text are difficult to read." I believe you are suggesting that text columns should be kept at a reasonable width, meaning margins can be a bit wider - but I may have it wrong! Good points, Brad. Also, had not visited Word Sell for a few days, so had not seen the fresh, new layout. Well done!

Something to clarify under Typography, point # 9 -
“Keep post margins reasonable narrow.Wide lines of text are difficult to read.”
I believe you are suggesting that text columns should be kept at a reasonable width, meaning margins can be a bit wider – but I may have it wrong!

]]> By: Clare Lynch http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5827 Clare Lynch Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:30:20 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5827 How clever of you, Brad, to illustrate your points with a post that itself follows all your tips. Not sure I can add much to this list, but here are some random thoughts: Re: Preparation. To extend your metaphor, I'd say take a trip to the salad bar, but when you get back to your table, separate the ingredients. I've often found that, having started to write a post that's become a bit rambling, I've been able to turn it into two or three posts - and ended up with a whole series. A long, rambling post is a waste of ideas that likely won't get read - but it's also an opportunity for great content ideas! Re: Style. As you know, a clear, readable style is one of my obsessions (or, rather, slagging off a turgid, impenetrable style is one of my obsessions). So yes, yes, and thrice yes to all your points there. I'm a particular fan of the dash, as was one of my professors (at Cambridge, no less). Colons and semicolons have their uses but to me they have a smug whiff of Lynne Truss about them when used by people who know how to use them, and a distinct whiff of illiteracy in those who don't (which I realise probably makes me sound a bit like Lynne Truss). A word of warning, though, on your point 4. To an English audience, the phrase "corporate tool" possibly has connotations that you didn't intend (though admittedly amusing and somewhat apt). Re: Typography. As someone who this year a) turned 40, and b) succumbed to reading glasses, I feel as though point 3 was written especially for me. Does bodily decay really work to such a predictable timetable? Re: Resources and Tools. Great list – can't wait to try the Gobbledygook Grader on my clients' raw copy! How clever of you, Brad, to illustrate your points with a post that itself follows all your tips. Not sure I can add much to this list, but here are some random thoughts:

Re: Preparation. To extend your metaphor, I’d say take a trip to the salad bar, but when you get back to your table, separate the ingredients. I’ve often found that, having started to write a post that’s become a bit rambling, I’ve been able to turn it into two or three posts – and ended up with a whole series. A long, rambling post is a waste of ideas that likely won’t get read – but it’s also an opportunity for great content ideas!

Re: Style. As you know, a clear, readable style is one of my obsessions (or, rather, slagging off a turgid, impenetrable style is one of my obsessions). So yes, yes, and thrice yes to all your points there. I’m a particular fan of the dash, as was one of my professors (at Cambridge, no less). Colons and semicolons have their uses but to me they have a smug whiff of Lynne Truss about them when used by people who know how to use them, and a distinct whiff of illiteracy in those who don’t (which I realise probably makes me sound a bit like Lynne Truss).

A word of warning, though, on your point 4. To an English audience, the phrase “corporate tool” possibly has connotations that you didn’t intend (though admittedly amusing and somewhat apt).

Re: Typography. As someone who this year a) turned 40, and b) succumbed to reading glasses, I feel as though point 3 was written especially for me. Does bodily decay really work to such a predictable timetable?

Re: Resources and Tools. Great list – can’t wait to try the Gobbledygook Grader on my clients’ raw copy!

]]> By: Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach http://www.straightnorth.com/blog/blog-post-writing-faq/comment-page-1/#comment-5826 Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:46:59 +0000 http://www.wordsellinc.com/?p=2379#comment-5826 Love the resources - the Book of Style is a definite keeper. Love the resources – the Book of Style is a definite keeper.

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