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September 23, 2013
On Nothing At All

I was in the car last week driving home from a meeting when a song came on that I’d listened to countless times in the past: “Crooked Teeth” by Death Cab for Cutie. It was Read More...

November 24, 2015
Shakespeare Wrote for Illiterates: Why This Matters in Marketing

It’s eighth hour and everybody is ready to go home. English class wasn’t always a thrill fest, but today is even worse. We’re reading Shakespeare. Othello, specifically. Halogen lights buzz, and one at a time Read More...

January 20, 2016
The Difference Between Grammar and Writing Style

Did you know writing has style? Not just pulp fiction or horror novels either; style is actually one of the most important elements of a writer’s work. It’s no surprise that there are lots of Read More...

January 5, 2017
Writing for SEO: Dumb Robots, Smart Robots, and Hungry Humans

When I was 13 years old, most of my days looked pretty similar. Got up, went to school. Same class schedule every day. Lunch at 10:20 am because apparently that’s something humans do sometimes. Off Read More...

February 27, 2018
Step Up Your Brand’s Storytelling with the Campfire Approach to Content Marketing

The beauty of content as a marketing tool is the way it allows brands to tell genuine stories and connect with their audiences on a human level. That said, sometimes the work of content marketing Read More...

September 20, 2018
Journalism vs Creative Nonfiction vs Content Marketing

One of the things a lot of people looking in from the outside of our company wonder is how a group of writers calling themselves creatives could stand to spend precious talent writing Fluff like Read More...

September 10, 2019
Emotional Resonance in Marketing: Why Your Writing Should Make People Feel Good and Not Feel Bad

All content writing – from the biggest whitepaper to the smallest social media post – is about appealing to an audience’s emotion. When copy comes across as bland and emotionless, readers perceive it as being Read More...

September 19, 2019
Throw Out the Rules for More Effective Blogging

Blogs play a critical role at the top of the content marketing funnel. For brands looking to engage with their best customers and offer real value, consistently publishing new blog content is the best way Read More...

June 2, 2020
Brands: Stop Telling about Your Empathy and Show It

Every American trapped in social isolation is tired of the commercials. Right?

“We’re in this together, so here’s 20% off a brand-new car.”

“Frontline workers are heroes, so here’s a discount on insurance.”

“Social isolation

Read More...
June 5, 2020
Video Interview: Matt Hunckler of Powderkeg on Human Stories and Connection Gone Remote

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to sit down with my friend and colleague Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg, for a great Zoom discussion on the challenges of building genuine human connection from Read More...