copywriting | Proof Communications

Why pandas carry guns

November 28, 2018

copywriting, Grammar tips, Proofreading tips, Punctuation, Typos

According to a recent Google Doodle, this year marks the 187th since the birth of the man widely considered to be the father of modern football, Ebenezer Cobb Morley. Riveting stuff indeed. But even more noteworthy than that particularly fascinating sporting nugget is that 2018 also marks exactly 15 years since Lynne Truss published her widely acclaimed book, ‘Eats, Shoots & Leaves’, the zero-tolerance approach to punctuation. Why is this important? Because within its pages lies the information you need…

Why pandas carry guns was last modified on November 29th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

How to write compelling business copy for your website

November 21, 2018

B2B documents, copywriting, Proofreading tips, Websites, Writing tips

A website sporting well-written business copy will immediately lift your brand above the competition. Your ‘voice’ will be heard because readers respond positively to unambiguous writing that has a compelling message. Here are six ways to ensure it comes across loud and clear. Decide upon your main message What exactly is it that you’re offering? Really think about that. What’s the most important thing you want your website visitors to know? Whether the main benefit of your product or service…

How to write compelling business copy for your website was last modified on November 22nd, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

Winning business awards – improve your chances with a great submission

November 2, 2018

Award Entries, Business Awards, copywriting, How to win business, Writing tips

If you’re considering entering a business award, take note of these important tips to radically improve your chances of winning. Play by the rules Truly, there’s no point entering if you believe that instructions such as, ‘In no more than 500 words…’ or ‘Show evidence using sales growth figures’ don’t apply to you. They do. And if you don’t comply, your award submission will end up in what’s euphemistically referred to as the ‘circular file’. Award entry rules are there…

Winning business awards – improve your chances with a great submission was last modified on November 7th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

And the winner is…

October 19, 2018

Award Entries, Business Awards, copywriting, How to win business

Did you know that Proof Communications writes around 50 award entries for companies and businesspeople every year? Of these, 95 per cent become finalists and an impressive 59 per cent go on to win. We also write successful Order of Australia nominations. Your success Whether you’re entering a local, state or national award, it’s vital that your unique story comes across clearly. As experienced wordsmiths, we know how to transform a multitude of facts about you, your business and your achievements into a…

And the winner is… was last modified on October 19th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

Houston, we have a problem…how can people get it so wrong?

October 4, 2018

copywriting, Proofreading tips, Typos, Writing tips

‘Communication Shipwrecks’, a recent white paper by American-based business writing school, Hurley Write Inc, gives some cracking examples of the impact bad business writing can have on consumers, corporates, government and academia. Read these and wince. The issue: Metric mishap In 1999, NASA’s much vaunted $125 million Mars Climate Orbiter self-destructed upon entering the red planet’s atmosphere some 100 km closer and 25km lower than planned. This costly space debacle’s post-mortem revealed that Lockheed-Martin, the company which developed and built…

Houston, we have a problem…how can people get it so wrong? was last modified on October 4th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

The tragedy of life with lexophilia

September 17, 2018

B2B documents, copywriting, How to win business, Writing tips

A lexophile is a lover – of words, that is. And word lovers especially enjoy word play, palindromes and the like. According to entirely unreliable sources, that most august of broadsheets, the New York Times, holds an annual lexophile competition to see who can create the best original pun. Furphy or not, it’s all good fun, so take a moment to enjoy these tragic examples of past winners. Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes. This girl today said she…

The tragedy of life with lexophilia was last modified on September 17th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

Avoid headaches: employ a professional business writer

September 11, 2018

B2B documents, copywriting, How to win business, Uncategorised, Writing tips

‘Write a complex business document’ is never going make it onto any list of Fifty Things You Absolutely Must Do Before You Die. Many individuals tasked with creating complex but compelling business documentation view such requests as being on par with being asked to willingly put their head in a vice. Hardly surprising given that business writing is almost certainly not the skill set they were originally employed for. In fact, almost certainly made-up statistics show that an overwhelming majority…

Avoid headaches: employ a professional business writer was last modified on September 14th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

Business Awards – You’ve got to be in it to win it

September 4, 2018

Award Entries, B2B documents, Business Awards, copywriting, How to win business, Writing tips

Every week, some lucky person becomes obscenely wealthy overnight after their numbers come up, and millions of Australians curse their own bad luck. If only they’d had the foresight to buy a ticket. Winning a business award, however, is nothing to do with luck and undoubtedly requires a shedload more effort than a quick trip to the newsagent. But here’s why entering really is worth it. Assess your business performance. Most business awards require you to provide evidence of growth,…

Business Awards – You’ve got to be in it to win it was last modified on September 4th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

How to engage with your customers on social media

August 30, 2018

B2B documents, copywriting, How to win business, social media, Websites

Online resource centre for small businesses, All Business, recently asked 13 members of the by-invite-only Young Entrepreneurs Council one question: What’s the best way to use social media to engage your customers and improve brand loyalty and reach? Here’s some food for thought. Focus on providing value. Share tips, news, information and teaching. Do so, and you establish yourself or your brand as subject matter experts whilst helping others. (Scott Levy, Fuel Online) Highlight active community members. People love to…

How to engage with your customers on social media was last modified on August 30th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author

Failure to proofread leaves job applicant furious

August 17, 2018

copywriting, Editing, Proofreading tips, Typos, Writing tips

This week’s SMH carries an article by Tom Cowie, reporting events after lawyer Susan Cole hired online resumé company, 1300 Resumé, to write her job application for ASIO, Australia’s national spy agency. But when both parties – somewhat ironically – failed to spy numerous mistakes and Ms Cole wasn’t granted an interview, a lengthy legal stooshie ensued. Ms Cole ‘sent some documents’ through to 1300 Resumé to help with her application, including a previous CV. Preparing for an overseas holiday,…

Failure to proofread leaves job applicant furious was last modified on August 17th, 2018 by Proof Communications Author