Words

My journey in storytelling started at school with an essay assignment to write about my life.
It got a high mark and, combined with the results of a careers assessment of my abilities which showed I was good at writing, brought encouragement that I could make a career from writing. Spurred by that, I set myself the goal of becoming a journalist. Nine years later I had achieved that after graduating from Britain’s top journalism school.
I’ve been a professional writer – first a journalist and editor, then a Public Relations practitioner – since 1988, so finding the right words to tell your story is something I have a lot of experience of doing. I’ve written everything from news and features to advertorial and technical features for B2B titles as well as scores of press releases.
So you can be sure your story is being told using the most effective words to communicate your key marketing messages.
If you’d like to see examples of copywriting I’ve done for clients, contact me by email. Meantime, check out my blog.
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Photography tips – How not to light a selfie
DON'T shoot a selfie or group photo with a bright light behind you unless you want to be in silhouette. Instead, turn till it's lighting you and the background is appropriate.
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PR blog – Digital Acceleration in newspaper brands – what it means for PR
You may have read recently about how Digital Acceleration - a major change in how newspaper brands owned by JPI Media will work - is being introduced in Scotland. Why should you care and what will it mean for your business if you use PR as part of your marketing mix?...
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Client News – St Andrews Business Club seeks past Presidents for 70th Birthday event
St Andrews Business Club will turn 70 years old this month and is looking for help bringing together as many of its past Presidents as possible for the birthday event. One of the oldest, continuously operating business clubs in Scotland, it turns 70 on January 24 and...
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PR tips – The importance of when you send your story
Knowing the best days and times to send your story to each media outlet helps your pitch for coverage. PR pros know or can research them using industry data tools.
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Client News – St Andrews event to help businesses be environmentally sustainable
Businesses wanting to join the two out of three Scottish SMEs aiming to be more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable, can learn how at St Andrews Business Club’s first event of 2020 on January 22 at Rufflets Hotel. Making your business greener will benefit...
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Client News – Scottish Enterprise grant aids Angus 3D’s 3-year growth plan
A £39,000 Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant from Scottish Enterprise will help to realise the three-year growth plan being rolled out by Brechin-based 3D-printing specialist Angus 3D Solutions. Following on from its growth last year, partly thanks to a grant...
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Client News – Long-served Foodmek staff welcome new apprenticeships
Two loyal staff at Tayport food processing equipment maker Foodmek have welcomed their apprentice successors at the firm as they each celebrate 40 years’ service. Jim Carson (77) and Robert Galloway (58), both from Dundee and turners at the company, say they’re...
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Client News – Fife business coach to advise on work-life balance in St Andrews event
People struggling to achieve their desired work-life balance can get expert tips on business success without sacrificing family goals at St Andrews Business Club’s November 13 event. In the event, to be held at the Old Course Hotel from 5.30pm, Fife business coach Sam...
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Client News – £500k Scottish Growth Scheme loan fuels Foodmek high-growth plan
North-East Fife food processing equipment maker Foodmek is activating an ambitious growth plan after securing £500,000 funding for it from the Scottish Loan Scheme (SLS), part of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Growth Scheme. The Tayport-based manufacturer of food...
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Client News – Maleficent is Scots vintage specialist’s fairy godmother again
The movie props success story of Fife vintage specialist Scaramanga continues today with the release of Disney fairytale sequel Maleficent: Mistress of Evil – the second in the franchise to feature their products. It’s the third Hollywood or major UK movie this year...
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