Content. It’s everywhere. A lot of people try to write content because the world and world wide web need a lot of it. That’s why most of it is bland, generic, and forgettable. The best content out there—whether it’s an article in the New York Times Sunday Business Section, a television commercial for a Swiss airline, or a blog post for a consultancy—has something in common: great writing.
You know great writing when you see it. It makes you smile. It makes you keep reading. And it makes you think about it later.
Here’s a secret: If you hire for great writing you will get it—whether it’s for an internal email campaign for a hotel, a company vision statement, a sales deck for a plumbing company, or a travel feature in The Financial Times.
Great content is great writing. And the more unexpected places that feature great writing (I’m thinking of you, plumbing sales deck), the more impact it will have.
In case you’re wondering, I’ve written all of the things mentioned above. No matter the project, I listen and then I listen again. Because great writing starts with great listening. And then I work to find the truth and tell that story—however small or large—in the tightest, most compelling way possible.
Blog & Content Marketing Examples (Hundreds more upon request):
In Switzerland, Parents Observe. In the U.S., Hovering is Required (The New York Times parenting blog)
What The Moth Can Teach Us about Brand Storytelling (The Brand Consultancy blog)
5 Tips for the First-Time Swiss Train Traveler (Vacations By Rail blog)
Five Considerations for Powerful Brand Voice Creation (The Brand Consultancy blog)
Scattered Showers with 100 Percent Chance No One Else Will Be at the Playground (Playworld blog)
Swissotel Hotel & Resorts (Website copy)
Museum Langmatt Is Ideal for Celebrating the Longest Day of the Year (Newly Swissed)
Swiss Life Just Got a Little Easier. Or at Least, a Little Funnier. (Email, Swiss Life Book)