Posted on April 23, 2019 by R.J. Foster, I’ve always been intrigued by the science of search engine optimization (SEO if we’re talkin’ the talk), and fascinated by the idea of building a message around keywords and phrases that bring web searchers and surfers right to your post, page, or ...

What I remember most about my first visit to the Wisconsin State Fair was the guy in the vendor building selling “super-shammies.” A miracle of spill management technology, these super absorbent sheets were able to soak up copious amounts of anything you might drip, dribble, or spill. More incredible than ...

I remember the first time I experienced spellcheck. “So, I just type away,” I asked gleefully, “and this spellchecker fixes all my mistakes? It’s like there’s an English teacher in the computer!” Turns out, it’s not. Because while spellcheck can indicate when you've typed the wrong spelling, it won’t necessarily ...

It doesn’t take a marketing expert to recognize the importance of consistency. Whatever your platform, building brand recognition demands consistent messaging. This does not, however, mean you should be saying exactly the same thing over and over. We all have a favorite old tv show. And while we might enjoy ...

Once upon a time...seriously, it seems like a lifetime ago...I used to travel around sharing my perspective on business messaging: shaping and sharing stories that engaged readers and made them want to know more. After one such presentation to a group very familiar with professional copywriting, someone asked if I ...

If you went to a party and saw a friend wearing their pants backward, would you tell them? What if it was you with the backward pants? Would you want someone to tell you? And if they did, how would you respond? Would you be angry for the criticism, or ...

So often, our efforts to outshine our competitors result in overselling ourselves. We attempt to position ourselves as experts in our field and confirm that position by using complex language and industry-specific terms. We try to impress rather than inform, and we end up with a message that is more ...

Holidays are amazing. They’re spiritual, emotional, and economical. Whatever your target market’s holiday persuasion, associating your products & services with the spirit of the season creates common ground – a level on which your customer can relate to you – a reason for them to like you. What you’re selling ...

As a Wordsmith, I’ve always had a bit of an issue with text-messaging.  In fact, I consider texting a crime against language, and a major contributor to the rapid decline in young people’s ability to communicate effectively ...