One Incredibly Simple Reason Your Business Needs a Content Writer

Daniel J. Cohen December 29, 2012

Admit it:

You don’t want to write.

You know how I know that?

Because I know that you aren’t as passionate about writing content as I am. You haven’t started a business dedicated to content writing, or learned the most important aspects of creating effective business content, or practiced for hours and hours, knocking out pages upon pages of content every week.

The flat fact is, you don’t want to write. You and I both know you would rather run your business than stare at a keyboard.

Just one more game of Farmville before I write this web page. I promise…

But us? We love to write.

There’s a certain cross section of people (content writers, like us) that don’t mind staring at a screen until they figure out exactly how to phrase something, then hunt down and zap grammatical errors, reassess, edit again, add some secret sauce and deliver to a client.

And you need those people (content writers, like us).

Because content writing is incredibly important. Everything you put out for your business is part of your sales effort, which means that everything written for your company is standing in for a sales rep of your company.

So what does that mean? It means you better have an excellent content writer.

Look at it this way: If your content is standing in for a sales rep, then the way it’s written and the words used are the way your “rep” is speaking and the words your “rep” is using.

And if you had the choice between a well-spoken, inquisitive, communicative, eloquent sales rep who could describe in detail every benefit, every feature, every advantage of your product and why it blows the competition out of the water… or a bumbling, slurring, mispronouncing shlub with mayonnaise on his shirt, which would you choose?

Exactly.

Now maybe I’ve misjudged you. Maybe you’re a good writer. Maybe you’re the second coming of David Ogilvy, and your sister is J.K. Rowling and your great-great-great-great-great third cousin is Shakespeare.

Maybe.

But more than likely, even if you are a good content writer—heck, even if you’re a great content writer— you don’t want to sit in front of a keyboard and pound out characters until you’ve hit your deadline. You want to hang out with your friends and family and enjoy your life.

So stop doing it. Go out there and take care of the rest of your business. We’re happy to write content that will boost your positive numbers and decrease your negative ones. And we’ll give you better service than other firms, too. Reach RedShift today to discover how your company can improve its copy at [email protected].

RedShift Writers and January Advisors Invite You to the First Ever #ContentHOU

Daniel J. Cohen May 26, 2017

Calling all Houstonians in the business of crafting, amplifying, or tracking content: Let’s meet up and trade notes! RedShift Writers and January Advisors are hosting a small content writing meetup Wednesday, July 12, 6-8 PM at Mercantile Cafe on 3321 Stanford Street in Montrose.

Much like other industries in the Houston area, the Houston writing and content marketing scene boasts of a robust arrangement of talent unafraid to take to the page with the right preposition, data visualization, or dashboard as circumstances see fit. Let’s take a few sips of coffee or tea and trade notes on something you’ve learned.

Here’s the gist of the event:

1) Think of something you have learned about content that you are willing to share;

2) Show up and mingle to make a few new content buddies;

3) Share your lesson with the crowd in two minutes or less;

4) Pinpoint one lesson to learn from;

5) Have fun!

We’re keeping this casual with juuuuust enough structure (read: a super official Facebook invite and mild meeting structure) to be productive.

Kids are allowed. It’s a coffee house, but we’ll bring crayons and coloring books.

RSVP today.

Hope to see you there!

Content Writing, Copywriting, News, Writing Content Writers, Content Writing, Houston Business

Special Branding Report: 21 Presidential Campaign Slogans Ranked from Worst to Best

Daniel J. Cohen November 24, 2015

Have you been watching the presidential race? If not, you’re missing some primetime television, as well as an opportunity to learn about branding at the highest level. Make no mistake: the Presidential Election is one of the highest offices in the world and the 2016 Presidential Election is estimated to cost more than $5 billion WITHOUT counting down-ballot races.

The question is “Which candidate is best positioned to win and why?” The answer will come down to who has the best brand. And one key part of a powerful brand is a strong slogan.

With that, we partnered with OntoBox Training to present The Official Nonpartisan Guide to All 21 Presidential Campaign Slogans. We graded all 21 campaign slogans on style, positioning, and overall effectiveness.

Whether you’re a political junkie, a brand marketing consultant, a lover of language, a game theorist or just someone who likes interesting content about competitive scenarios, we hope you enjoy this special report and find it useful. If you have any thoughts, comments, questions, or disagreements, we would love to hear from you in the comments below or at [email protected].

Marketing brand marketing, branding, Content Writing, Slogans, Taglines

Five Ways Content Writers Can Create a Better Client Relationship

Daniel J. Cohen May 27, 2014

The content writer’s job is to create language that compels others to act. No matter what medium or what purpose the content has, good content maintains that characteristic and leverages the power of words to reinforce a particular mindset or action.

However, not all copy ends up as powerful as it should be. While the writer in the process often tussles with editors, creative directors, strategists, the legal department and a bevy of others in the organization to word content just right, it seldom hits the presses (or internet) completely in tact.

On the other hand, writers are perfectly capable of guiding clients in the right direction and ending up with the content that will best represents the company or cause. Sometimes, it just takes a little creative flair in your client-content writer relationship to sharpen your language to its very best.
Here are five tactics writers can use to help clients get the very best results.

1) Encourage a push-pull relationship.
Your job as a writer or marketing consultant is to make sure clients are able to make fully informed decisions. While one decision may be superior to another, knowing the right decision in the moment isn’t always possible without an iterative process involving both sides of the fence: the experts and the creatives.

Involving clients deeply in the messaging process will not only create better results but also improve your overall client relationships.

2) Train the team to let their hands go.
Much of the push back content writers get is a result of a client balancing interests in the copy. However, a smart content writer can pave the way for approval early on by explaining the power of precision copy that takes a strong position rather than balancing opinions or voice to the point that it becomes sanitized and plain.

Teach the power of taking a sharp, clear position and staking a claim rather than balancing the message for all involved.

3) Set the expectations early.
Develop an understanding with clients regarding your process as well as what can be expected from a first draft. If you have done a good job developing your discovery process, most clients will find what you do valuable and take pleasure in getting involved in your discovery process.

An involved client is more likely to approve your copy- hands down.

4) Keep your eye on the prize.
In the end, the client and the content writer want the same thing: well-conceived copy that will get the job done. Keep in mind the harmonious, win-win nature of the task at hand and everyone will prosper.

5) Give clients homework.
Not busy work, mind you. Your clients are busy. They have a business to run.

Yet a certain degree of homework is the sign of an involved writer as well as a solid content process. Offer clients a step by step path that goes beyond the standard sit=down to indicate true commitment.

Want more tips for free lancers that go beyond the standard client assistance? Check out 50 Rules for Renegade Free Lance Writers.

Blog, Content Writing, Copywriting, Marketing, Writing business, Content Writers, Content Writing