"Everybody writes." - Check out this "Marvel's" tips for writing ridiculously good and compelling content!

Monday: MicroBusiness and Marketing Marvels FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Hooray for Monday! How are you? We hope all is well in both your personal life and work life. Let’s start the day with inspiration from one of our “Marketing Marvels”—outstanding people in the fields of business and marketing. Each Monday, we talk about these people’s experiences, contributions, and impact on society. Are you ready to know more about today’s “Marvel?” Keep reading the article below. CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

"Everybody writes." - Check out this "Marvel's" tips for writing ridiculously good and compelling content! Ann Handley: Author of the book, “Everybody Writes” Writing is one of the most diverse realms of work. Regardless of your specific role as a content writer or copywriter, your job isn’t just limited to writing marketing copy. It also extends to event descriptions, presentation scripts or content, blogs, and more. That’s why some industry professionals believe writers are marketers in some capacity and vice versa. In the book, “Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content,” author Ann Handley has a storehouse of useful insights for writers. Essentially for professional development, the book is a must-read for anyone in the writing industry. It outlines essential tips and tactics to produce compelling copy and master the art of writing effective marketing materials. Before we dive deeper into the topic of content writing and marketing, let’s first discuss: Who is Ann Handley? Handley is a writer, digital marketing pioneer, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. Most of her works focus on how entrepreneurs and marketers can rethink the way they promote their brands’ offerings. She is also one of Forbes’ Most Influential Women in Social Media and one of ForbesWoman’s Top 20 Women Bloggers. She is the Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs, a training and education company with the largest community of marketers in its category. As a social media influencer and pioneer in digital marketing, Handley writes about and posts different types of content such as news, commentaries, marketing, etc. Her bestselling books, “Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, Ebooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business” (2011) and “Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content” (2014) have been translated into 9 languages, including: Turkish Chinese Korean Japanese Italian Portuguese Handley started her content writing career as a business journalist and editor. Lessons You Can Learn from Handley’s “Everybody Writes” Book According to Handley, everyone is a writer in some way. She says in a content-driven world, your words are your currency, and they tell others who you are. Your writing can make or break your reputation. It can make you look fun, warm, competent, and trustworthy, or monotonous, unexciting, and flat-out boring. That’s why you have to choose your words well! In the context of content marketing, this means writing with economy, style, and honest empathy for your readers. Besides, being able to communicate well through written words isn’t just nice. It’s also a necessity… and Handley gives guidance into the process and strategy of content creation, with actionable advice designed to get positive results. Here are some of her content writing and marketing tips: Writing can be learned. Handley believes the idea of a “gifted writer” is a myth. Even the title of her book communicates that idea! For her, writing is not a gift per se… and while the art of compelling writing may come naturally to some, Handley says everyone has the skills to become an effective writer. The only things needed to improve those skills? Patience, dedication, and willingness to learn! Start your sentences properly and strongly. In “Everybody Writes,” Handley emphasizes the importance of starting your sentences right. By “right,” what she means is to start your sentences with strong and compelling words. Avoid using phrases like: “I think…” “In my opinion…” “Remember to…” Handley says these phrases will dilute the strength of your introductory sentences and copies in general. Engage your readers. Handley believes in the importance of adding utility, inspiration, and empathy to writing as these will make information easy and digestible for readers. She states these are some of the primary goals of content marketing: To make the content all about your readers and paint a picture in their minds about the features and benefits of your products and services. Focus on readability. Writing compelling content is NOT enough. Handley says you also need to ensure your copy is READABLE. Jargon, long-drawn sentences, and extended paragraphs can annoy or bore your readers. So, always prefer using short paragraphs, short sentences, and easily comprehensible words and phrases. Limit the use of jargon in your content. If it’s necessary to get your message across, make sure to provide an explanation for those who may not be familiar with the word. These lessons can apply to all your content marketing platforms like websites, landing pages, blogs, emails, marketing offers, and social media. According to Handley, these strategies are a practical approach to creating “ridiculously compelling and competent content.” Big and small brands alike can benefit from these go-to guides! Truly, Handley’s ideas and concepts continue to inspire individuals and businesses to break the marketing mediocrity and achieve tangible results. Her mantra? Smart businesses know great content is one of the keys to thriving in today’s digital world! “If you have a website, you are a publisher. If you are on social media, you are in marketing. And that means we are all relying on our words to carry our marketing messages.” - Ann Handley Hope you’ve found this week’s insights interesting and helpful. Follow us on LinkedIn.     Stay tuned for next Monday’s Marketing Marvels! Have you ever smelled a scent so distinct, so exotic, and yet so familiar that it makes you turn your head towards the person wearing it? Learn more about Coco Chanel and her iconic luxury brand on next week’s Marketing Marvels!