When I was an editor at Crain’s Chicago Business, I sat next to one of the best headline writers in the business. He could sit at his desk all day and spit them out like a gumball machine, the ideas popping into his head, running down his arms, through his fingers and onto the keyboard. Chewy … Continue reading Insert clever headline here
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The perfect pitch: Writing a winning proposal
Yes, Baker McKenzie is a big global law firm, one of the biggest in fact. And sure, we have won numerous awards, many that would make any parent proud. But so have a lot of other global law firms, so what sets us apart? How do we convince new and existing clients to give us … Continue reading The perfect pitch: Writing a winning proposal
What’s missing from your deals lists?
Take a minute and look at your resume or CV. Maybe you haven't updated it in a while and don't even know where it is. But find it, dig it out, and look at it. Take a few minutes to read about yourself. Who you are, where you've worked, what positions you've held, and what … Continue reading What’s missing from your deals lists?
Omit needless words
I don’t know about you, but I don’t like clutter. Stacks of dishes in the sink, piles of mail on the table, toys strewn across the living room floor. It’s a losing battle considering I have two children under age 4 and a husband who fills the top of our dresser with loose change, business … Continue reading Omit needless words
Five reasons people love lists
While skimming news headlines, surfing the web or browsing book titles, you may notice a common writing technique: “Top 10 Ways to Burn Fat,” Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. The technique is using lists and it’s a quick and effective way to create headlines and organize content in a … Continue reading Five reasons people love lists
The power of active voice
Want your writing to be stronger, clearer, and more succinct? Then meet my good friend, active voice. I may sound like a late night television ad, but I can’t help it. I’m that passionate about active voice. Why? Because it’s one of the quickest ways to improve anything you write. Whenever I advocate for using … Continue reading The power of active voice
LinkedIn: How to make your profile stand out
I'll never forget the day I received a friend request from my 85-year-old grandma on Facebook. Grandma has always been a technophile, but now a social media maven too? Sure enough, there she was smiling at me from her profile picture, with her wire-rimmed glasses, leopard-print blazer and perfectly coiffed hair. What did this experience … Continue reading LinkedIn: How to make your profile stand out
The Writing Habit 