Coaching/Consulting

Are readers tossing your newsletter in the trash?

It's a fact. Many newsletters never get read. They're too long, too dull, too corporate. You may have sweated hours, days or weeks writing the thing. You may have spent a fortune on printing and mailing. But for what? If readers don't read, you've wasted your time and money. Your efforts will head straight for the recycling bin.

Why "re-designs" don't work

Whenever corporate pubs are in trouble, someone always says, "let's do a re-design!" Then they say, "and hey, let's write shorter, punchier stories." Well, sure you can switch typefaces, add a 1-point rule around photos, throw in some pull-quotes and limit all stories to 250 words. But as an old boss of mine used to say, "that's just re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic."

Content is what counts. If your content is weak a pretty design won't help. If your stories don't resonate with readers it doesn't matter whether the body type is Arial or Times Roman. If the writing is dull - 500 words or 250 words - what's the difference?

You can't force people to read, can you?

No, you can't. But did you ever wonder how daily newspapers get people to spend so much time reading mostly bad news? And pay for it? You can use those same strategies to get people to read your words. The Corporate Publication Coach draws upon the techniques of daily journalism to help you (and maybe your whole communications department) write, edit and organize better, faster.

What's a Publication Coach?

Consulting from the Corporate Publication Coach doesn't follow "normal" rules. Over the years, I've honed a highly effective system that doesn't involve expensive and time-consuming travel.  See how we can work together.  Just call me the ghost editor who won't haunt your offices!

No time for coaching?

The beauty of my system is that it takes very little of your time. You send me files; I send you back advice that you can read at your leisure. As well, if we're working on your writing, you get two services for the price of one! Not only do you receive coaching, but you get your writing edited by a professional -- and I always work with real live writing -- stuff you can use in your publication,  not theoretical homework!

My consulting is built to be flexible. I work one-on-one and with teams. I help start up new pubs or re-energize old ones. I coach people on writing, editing and time management (geared to the special challenges faced by corporate communicators.)

I also provide an "editor in your back pocket" retainer service - answering your trickiest questions between editions and reviewing your corporate pub just before it goes to the printers.

If you'd like to learn what the Publication Coach could do for you, please call 604-228-8818 or email me, for a free, no-obligation discussion and estimate.