Case studies can help companies win business. We’re in a demand-generation, deal-closing economy and good customer evidence is the laser-guided bomb of marketing. As Writer-in-chief at Articulate Marketing, I write many case studies for different technology companies, including Microsoft, Hewlett-...

Mind mapping is an effective tools for brainstorming. I regularly use a mind map on large piece of paper to think through the structure of a large piece of writing. The problem with paper-based mind maps is that once written they are hard to modify. It would be nice to be able to rearrange the branc...

Why use CRM? Freelance writers need to do the same kind of marketing that big companies do: Keeping track of prospective clients Monitoring current projects and deadlines Developing new relationships Making sure nothing slips through the cracks (See my article 27 proven freelance marketing tips for ...

Back when I was a freelance journalist, I had to source all my articles properly. This meant getting objective proof of facts and assertions, typically by interview or with reference to government or company publications. I try to carry this attitude through into my corporate work. Proper sourcing i...

I love my current clients - this isn’t about them. But in the past, mainly when I was a freelance journalist, I have had to deal with a few clients that were very difficult: Asking for more work without paying more Paying very late Insisting on changes even when I had strongly recommended agai...

Hi Uncle Matthew, I found your article How to Write an Efficient Email Press Release very helpful. I was wondering if you had some additional insight into one aspect I am still a little unsure about:  What is the etiquette for email follow-ups after emailing a press release? Specifically, if I have...

One of my clients insists that I use the execrable OB10.com online invoicing system. It’s almost impossible to use, costs money for each invoice I raise and regularly locks me out for no reason whatsoever. I am, in fact, the owner of two accounts - neither of which work - simply because I gave...

The best restaurants in the world deliver exquisite food, impeccable service and wonderful attention to detail. And, almost without fail, they have websites which would embarrass a first year web design student. They serve as a warning to other businesses. Here is a sampling of a few problems. I hav...

Slashdot tipped a BBC article about the (allegedly) parlous state of the UK games industry. The discussion on Slashdot is very interesting while the news item is actually a lot of special pleading by the games industry: universities are rubbish, we need tax breaks etc. I’m a refugee from the g...

There’s a good article on Slate today - Lazy Bastards: How we read online. It begins: You’re probably going to read this. It’s a short paragraph at the top of the page. It’s surrounded by white space. It’s in small type. It goes on to consider the differences between re...