Why words matter

I was listening to the radio this morning - a bad habit, I'm coming to realise - and was interested to listen to a piece about gambling addiction on Radio 4. Now, apparently, the Commons is due to debate the pro's and con's of a certain style of gambling machine, which accounts for some 50% of sales being made through book-makers on the high street. Not a lot there to upset my oats and, by and large,

Copywriting vs content writing: do you know the difference?

As a writer from an ad agency background, it's been interesting to watch the progressive 'democratisation' of commercial writing - the rise of digital media has made publishing the gems of one's experience and intellect available to all.

Perhaps that's a good thing - now everyone has a voice, but having a public voice doesn't automatically translate into a) knowing what to say and b) knowing how to say it. It's a bit like a baby finding its voice - starting with dah-dah-dah-dah at nine months old and progressing to greater things from there. Both intellect and language skills evolve over  the course of time, the ultimate result being cogent, skilled self-expression.

The attraction of listening

Let's face it folks, there are a lot of words floating around out there - words, copy, content (for the on trend terminologists), posts, articles, encyclicals, theses, the list goes on. And on. And on. And on. Sometimes, I have to confess, I feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information that hurtles my way - the reality of which has done wonders for my speed-reading and nothing for my sanity. What it flags up for me is the question,

Just because they tell you it's right, doesn't mean it is

I'm fascinated by words, as you might expect/hope. I'm paid to spend time choosing them, playing with them, pulling them apart, substituting them. As a Copywriter, I explore the subtle aspects and shades of words, with no nuance too slight as to be insignificant. Because there's power in them thar' words - the power to hide, the power to mislead, the power to create impressions

Do you have a tickable dick?

Call me old-fashioned, but I find this ad (I've seen it in the London Evening Standard and on tube posters) a little disconcerting - no hang it all, if you'll pardon the pun, a lot disconcerting. Because if I'm out shopping for sperm (as you do), I'm effectively selecting for 'favourable' genetic endowment - will I choose blue eyes or brown, black skin or white, intelligent or not?

A very belated Part 2 with Marketing Therapist, Amber Raney-Kincade

Good grief! I'm going against all my own principles with my last blog entry on 14 February! May I stress at this point that this is HIGHLY INADVISABLE social media practice. But it does make you wonder doesn't it - what happened on 14 February 2013 to Words by Jacqui (and not just her words?) Hm?

Why those of us in small business could do with a little therapy - Part 1

The word ‘marketing’ is bandied being around a lot of late, in ways and contexts like never before. Once upon a time, marketing only happened in large multinational companies, who employed Brand Managers to oversee all the promotional activities surrounding a product or service. But in these times of flourishing entrepreneurship and enterprising sole traders, small business owners are finding that, just like the multinationals, they need to promote their wares, but may not have the luxury of an in-house