Blog

Are your creative pipes backed up? Here are five ways to...

Writers working on anything from ad copy to executive speeches can get their creative pipes backed up. Project managers creating a robust brief can get backed up, too. Luckily, there are many ways to flush out those pipes and get the creativity flowing once again. Here are five ways to do just that: Get some […]

May 13, 2015

Five things to avoid when creating graphs and charts

Using a chart or graph can be a simple and eye-catching way to display information that might otherwise need paragraphs (or pages!) of text to explain. When done well, your audience should be able to scan and interpret your graphics quickly and easily. When done not-so-well, simple graphics can confuse a reader. Here are some […]

May 6, 2015

Smart ways to cut down on meetings

Meetings are a necessary part of office life. They can help your team reach an important decision, or build consensus on a critical issue. Meetings may also be helpful when you just need to talk things through as a group. However, meetings can also be time killers. Here are some smart ways to reduce the amount […]

April 29, 2015

3 unexpected sources for content ideas

Content, content and more content! You’d think that after a few years of content marketing you’d run out of ideas. We’ve found the opposite is true. We actually have more ideas as every day passes. One of the tricks is to find sources of inspiration, and the more unexpected the source the better. Here are […]

April 22, 2015

Blogging essentials for financial services professionals

Getting a company’s blog up and running is an exciting challenge – it’s one of the greatest opportunities to engage with clients and prospects. Here are 10 things to always keep in mind during the early days of your company’s blog. Get the right writers on board People with a lot of customer contact are […]

April 15, 2015

How to use the media to build the profiles of your...

If you work in financial services marketing, corporate communications or public relations, chances are that you crave positive exposure from the financial media. Being proactive will help you create and execute on an integrated marketing strategy that includes targeted media coverage. Here are some basic tips to get you started: Step 1: Start with your […]

April 8, 2015

Whitepaper tactics that work

Even though social media, video and other areas of digital marketing get so much attention these days, we still believe that whitepapers play an important role in your marketing strategy. Here are five best practices to help you get these valuable pieces done right. Set the right tone Your whitepapers should be written in conversational […]

April 1, 2015

Jargony phrases – and ways to keep them out of your...

We all tend to use some jargon in conversation. But it’s best to keep that jargon – including highly technical terms – out of your commentaries. If you’re having trouble finding the right words to describe financial concepts without using jargon, don’t fret. We’ve got investor-friendly alternatives that you can use. Here are seven economic- and […]

March 25, 2015

11 quick reminders for creating your next newsletter

Newsletters will always be fashionable in our books. They’re simply one of the best ways to get the right content in front of the right people. If you’re interested in finding ways to improve your newsletters, check out this post. Here are 11 quick reminders to make sure your newsletters are as engaging as possible: […]

March 18, 2015

A writing lesson from Warren Buffett

If your readers can’t understand your writing, you’re wasting their time and yours. That’s why plain language writing is so important. It doesn’t help that financial services is filled with jargon and technical terms that are truly hard to simplify. Nevertheless, forward-thinking companies in the financial services industry know why plain language is essential and […]

March 4, 2015

26 MORE blog and newsletter content ideas for advisors to use...

The potentially unlimited number of ideas for a blog or newsletter can stop you from even starting such a beneficial project. We can help you focus on topics that resonate with clients. How? We’ve put together a list of 26 MORE blog and newsletter ideas, giving you a whole year’s worth of content! Find the first […]

February 25, 2015

26 blog and newsletter content ideas for advisors to use

We’ve heard from some advisors that writing a blog or newsletter is overwhelming. That’s understandable, as a seemingly unlimited number of ideas can make it difficult to start. To make your life easier, we’ve put together a list of 26 blog post and newsletter ideas. 1. Your business beliefs in action Tell a brief story […]

February 18, 2015

An unexpected prescription for advisors with writer’s block

So, you’ve committed to writing a blog or a newsletter and things have been going well. Then one day you feel like you’ve run out of ideas. You’ve contracted a case of writer’s block and the symptoms are unmistakable: a blank page, the urge to do something – anything – else, insecurity. Have no fear. […]

February 11, 2015

The only writing and editing resources you’ll ever need

Even though there are thousands of writing and editing resources to choose from, you don’t need a bookcase filled with them to be a great communicator in the financial services industry. If you can spell, have a broad vocabulary and know the core rules of grammar, you’ll be ahead of the crowd. And if you […]

February 4, 2015

Are you making these mistakes in your writing? Part 3

Our previous “writing mistakes” posts dealt with solely with homophones and near homophones – Part 1 and Part 2. To keep things interesting, we’ve expanded our reach to include words that have confusing usage. If you’re interested in sharpening your writing tools, then take a look at these five mistakes: Bimonthly vs. semi-monthly Both “bimonthly” […]

January 28, 2015

Are you making these mistakes in your writing? Part 2

As we said before, spellcheck and autocorrect aren’t going to save you if you’re making these mistakes. They may even make the mistakes for you! Here are five more common errors that you can expel from your writing today. If you missed Part 1, in which we explained affect vs. effect, complement vs. compliment, council […]

January 21, 2015

Are you making these mistakes in your writing? Part I

Spellcheck isn’t going to save you if you’re making these mistakes. And autocorrect might make an inappropriate change without you knowing it. Here are five common errors that you can banish from your writing today. Please note: these are simplified definitions that are most useful for financial services professionals. If you’re writing the next Moby […]

January 14, 2015

Lessons from a trip to the local market

We’re big supporters of local farmers and that’s why we’re always returning to the market to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. While walking among the aisles, we got to thinking about what we could learn from these businesses in the market. 1. The customer is in control At the local market, you can choose what […]

November 5, 2014

Three marketing lessons from a trip to the art gallery

There are marketing lessons everywhere. From the food on your plate to the traffic you’re stuck in. So it’s no surprise that on a recent trip to the art gallery, some thoughts about successful marketing came to mind. 1. Treat your best customers very well The art gallery’s family membership comes with great benefits: free […]

October 22, 2014

Four lessons we learned from Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has come and gone and, as you’re recovering from your annual dose of tryptophan, why not spend a few minutes and read about these five lessons we learned from everybody’s favourite family meal. 1. Watch out for overindulgenceWe’ve all been there before: you’ve just finished eating and you realize the last helping you had […]

October 15, 2014