“Poor (William) Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? He thinks I don’t know the $10 words. I know them all right. But there are older and simpler and better words, and those are the ones I use.” - Ernest Hemingway
Such a poignant quote from one of my favorite writers. And in deference to Hemingway, I’ll keep this short. Never use a long, complicated word when a simpler, shorter word will convey the same thought.
Want to learn to write like Hemingway? Check out his top five writing tips.
@annmelinger
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After a brief hiatus, Favorite Words Friday is back. We’ve got some good ones this week and I hope you’ll add to our stash by listing your favorite words in the Comments below.
Lugubrious – mournful, dismal
Panache – a grand or flamboyant manner
Dearth – an inadequate supply
Foible – a minor weakness or failing of character
Elocution – a person’s manner of speaking in public
I have to give a special shout-out to my mom for the last three submissions – thanks, Mom!
Have a great weekend!
@lizkelly
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But in today’s Web 2.0 world, how can pharmaceutical companies hope to connect to consumers without social media?
Throughout my career, I’ve done a lot of work with clients in the pharmaceutical industry. So I know all too well the unique challenges this highly regulated industry faces. Pharma companies are bound by rules set forth by the FDA that govern their PR, marketing and advertising activities. Every tactic is scrutinized by internal marketing and sales teams, and even more carefully evaluated by the legal and regulatory teams, weighing the perceived risks and rewards.
Even as social media is becoming a “given” for most major companies, many pharmaceutical companies are holding back. While some have taken the leap into the world of Twitter, Facebook and blogging, most are still reluctant, ... Read more »
“While social media sites are both a source of unfiltered information and a venue for public discussion, we still look to CNN, the BBC and their ilk to add context and meaning to this flood of data. And when they fail us, we demand more of them.” – Pete Cashmore, Mashable
I’ve spent this week completely absorbed in the aftermath of Iran’s presidential election and the role social media has played. When the government began cracking down on foreign reporters, people inside and outside Iran turned to Twitter to get and share information about what was happening. And when CNN failed to prominently cover the protests, the Twitter community spoke ... Read more »
All policy-related communications should answer the question, “What does this mean to me?
I recently came across an interesting blog post about the importance of having a social media policy. This got me thinking about the challenges of communicating policies and procedures to employees. By nature, policies tend to be prescriptive and dry, but nonetheless an important part of your company’s operations. So, how can you ensure your people understand and comply with your policies? A few tips:
First, make sure the language in the policy is clear and easy-to-understand. As much as possible, eliminate jargon, acronyms and legal-speak.
All policy-related communications should answer the question, “What does this mean to me?” Make sure you’re helping employees understand why it’s important to comply with company ...
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Happy Friday! Just when I thought we’d exhausted our list of favorite word submissions, several more rolled in! Please keep them coming and we’ll keep sharing our favorites.
Pugnacious – argumentative, contentious
Paragon – a model of excellence and perfection
Inconsequential – insignificant, trivial
Blithe – joyous, cheerful
Promontory – a high point of land
Exculpatory – clears from alleged fault or guilt
Preceptor – instructor, teacher
Pedantic – narrow, ostentatious on one’s learning
Inculcate – teach persistently
Salubrious – healthy, promoting well-being
Please tell us your favorite words in the Comments below and we’ll include them in a future post. Have a great weekend!
@lizkelly
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Here’s a quote for the day from Edward R. Murrow, one of the greatest journalists of our time. Although he said this decades before the age of Web 2.0, Facebook, Twitter and video news releases, his words still ring true – perhaps now more than ever.
“The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it.” — Edward R. Murrow
No matter how technology changes our job, the core of our work remains the same – translating our client’s business goals into key ... Read more »
It’s Friday y’all, and by now, you know what that means – time for more of your favorite words. Our list of contributions is dwindling – I know you have more favorite words, so please keep your suggestions coming. In the meantime, here’s our latest list:
Nudnik – person who is a bore or nuisance
Abscond – to depart secretly
Passacaglia – an old Italian or Spanish dance tune
Metamorphosis – a complete change of form (literal or figurative)
Promenade – a stroll or walk, or an area used for strolling
Chichi – frilly, trendy
Gubernatorial – pertaining to a governor (this one’s just fun to say)
Quixotic – foolishly impractical, impulsive
Inscrutable – difficult to fathom or understand
Flibbertigibbet ...
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While there’s no question that communicators must think differently, there
are plenty out there who believe in the future of our industry.
There’s been a lot of talk lately about the death of PR. And while there’s no question that we as communicators must think differently, there are plenty out there, myself included, who believe in the future of our industry. So, how can we prove the naysayers wrong and ensure PR continues to thrive? To me, it boils down to two things:
Take time to listen. Too often, we are focused on communicating to our audiences, instead of listening to their wants, needs and concerns. Many of the tools we’ve come to rely on to reach our audiences – social media in particular – can also be used to gather feedback. Listen ...
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