Writing

We’re living in difficult times. Yet, the events of 2020, for good or ill, are shaping up to be storytelling gold. It’s a time for brand storytellers to gather and capture real-time history and to think more broadly about how these stories can be used.

While the announcement of an effective drug treatment available worldwide for those suffering from the cryptic virus should be something to celebrate, delving into an explanation about pricing for a possibly life-saving drug may cause some reader’s stomachs to churn. Gilead’s statement attempts to strike a delicate balance, focusing on the importance of the treatment while justifying its value. 

Do your messages resonate with audience members? They do if you remember that readers want you to solve their problems. One way to ensure your communication works is to make a grammatical distinction between features, advantages and benefits. Ann Wylie offers an example.

There’s no more iconic symbol of US business than the NY Stock Exchange (NYSE). Specifically, its floor. That floor reopened today. How its president Stacey Cunningham communicated it likely will serve as a template for other businesses.

For homebound PR pros who find they have time on their hands, finishing a writing project or beginning one are tantalizing thoughts. Without a twice-daily commute and nowhere to go on weekends, you’d think there should be a lot of time for writing. It’s not quite that easy. Fret not. Writing coach Ann Wylie offers a 3-step plan to help organize your writing time.

Even in this crisis, headhunters, brands, media outlets, and PR agencies are still hiring. Make sure your résumé stands out.

While the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in America resulted in empty toilet paper shelves, Tyson Foods may have unofficially announced the second wave of panic buying—chicken and meat products.  The chicken producer chose to… Continued

Companies are looking at how to pivot their external communications. For both internal and external communications they are adapting to new technologies and ways of working.

Burger chain Shake Shack announced today it will return $10 million it received from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The $349 billion federal program allowed small businesses to apply for relief during the COVID-19 crisis.… Continued

With global audiences stuck at home—and glued to their devices—the competition for time and attention is steeper than ever. Here, Wylie Communications president Ann Wylie shares a simple framework for increasing readership by proving you won’t waste viewers’ time.