Rough Draft

When you say the word “data” few people perk up their ears. It’s a cold word that brings to mind row after row of zeros and ones. Yet you and I need data to help us make sound business decisions, uncover lost opportunities, and perfect our current efforts. So how do you talk about software…

Marketers are agog over stories. For good reason. Your stories lift a prospect out of her ordinary world … and then takes her on a journey that ultimately leads to a vision of herself as a better version of herself. In 1984, Apple brought it’s own story to the market, one in which agile, nonconformists…

Indeed, it can. It can also make you a more visible writer. But that depends on how you go about it. On this episode of Rough Draft, I interview Jerod Morris and Jon Nastor. Jerod is one of the VPs of Rainmaker.FM, my co-host on The Lede, and a co-host on another Rainmaker.FM show called…

Like gravity pulls objects to the earth, the web pulls people across the landscape of connected information — whizzing by landmarks (content) at break-neck speed. Thus, when people arrive at your blog they should be able to size up your content in an instant. From the headline down the subheads to the call to action.…

Lots of people make careers out of controversy. But constant controversy can take a toll. You could get by with a lot of controversy in the early days of your blog or books in order to gain critical mass. But soon you’ll need to take your foot off that particular pedal. The goal (when it…

There are about 100 ways to become a better writer. For example, you could … Read 100 books. Listen to Ira Glass’ This American Life. Cultivate a sick sense of humor. Think like a psychologist. Rack up rejections. Write like mad. But did you know catching hell can help you sharpen your copy chops, too?…