Oct 22, 2019PR “Pros,” You’re Pitching WrongI love HARO. The acronym stands for Help A Reporter Out, and it has, indeed helped me many, many times to connect with sources I may otherwise waste time finding myself. A favorite of those in public relations champing at the bit to get their client’s names in publications, HARO…Public Relations3 min readPublic Relations3 min read
Jul 22, 2019What Any Business Can Learn from the Duolingo/reCAPTCHA StoryAround here, we love a good business origin story. But, even more, we love businesses who continue to push the boundaries, thanks to imagination and some serious innovation. You know Duolingo, that language-learning tool with the funny cartoon owl as its mascot? Sure, you might be able to learn some…Language Learning4 min readLanguage Learning4 min read
Apr 15, 2019What PR Professionals Wish Journalists & Writers UnderstoodWhen I worked full time at a magazine, there was a very clear divide among the staff: Advertising stayed on their end of the building, and in editorial, we kept to ourselves. Over the past decade-plus, things have shifted drastically. Journalists are now content creators, and the line between marketing…Public Relations4 min readPublic Relations4 min read
Jun 26, 2018The Work-At-Home Fashion GuideI’ve been working from home for six years now. And while it’s a decidedly more comfortable atmosphere, the truth of it is this: It’s unglamorous, there are always house projects or outdate paint colors staring you in the face, and your wardrobe and style take a serious hit. So, for…Productivity2 min readProductivity2 min read
Jun 13, 2018Lessons for Brand Writers When Crafting Content Around Alcohol: Part 2(Or, how to sell something completely unsexy without relying on tired cliches.) Ever heard of DivaCup? It’s probably the bestselling menstrual cup out there. So, how does the company sell something so decidedly … unsexy? Take a look at their blog and their Instagram. Stories of female empowerment, saving the…Drinking4 min readDrinking4 min read
May 4, 2018Brands & the Narrative of Alcohol: Part 1This past fall, I stopped dead in my tracks in front of Walmart’s college dorm display. Specifically, in front of a shelf of trashcans bearing the hashtag #getwasted. Because nothing sums up the whole “go out and do great things in the world” to a recent high school grad than…Alcohol3 min readAlcohol3 min read
Jan 18, 2018Finding a Balance As a Work-At-Home Writer (and Learning to Say “No” Occasionally)It was my dream job, the one I imagined while I sat in meetings sipping tepid coffee out of a styrofoam cup: I want to be a stay-at-home mom and writer. “It will be great!” I mused to my husband. …Parenting4 min readParenting4 min read
Nov 8, 2017Expectation Vs. Reality: Finding Your Writing NicheOnce upon a time, my vision of becoming a writer involved jetting off to white sugar beaches and surveying the Paris skyline from the vantage point of the Eiffel Tower. … Then I became an editor at a farm magazine. While I spent a good portion of my career there…Agriculture3 min readAgriculture3 min read
Oct 26, 20176 Corporate Phrases You Should Permanently (& Immediately) Ban from Your Office VocabHey! Remember, as a kid, when you had dreams of a career being a noble calling? And then corporate America offered you a 401k and dental and before you know it, boom, you’re sitting in a conference room with industrial gray carpet waiting on a Webinar? Yeah, me too. There…Corporate Culture2 min readCorporate Culture2 min read
Sep 28, 2017Why You Shouldn’t Write For Free (Yes, You, Freelancers!)A few years back, I walked into a meeting and was introduced to a longtime editor. “I’m an admirer of your writing,” she said. I turned to see who it was she was complimenting. “Me?” I asked, flushing. There was no one else there. “Yes, you,” she said, smiling. …Writing3 min readWriting3 min read
