When storytelling engages the senses, the words leap off the page and come to life in our minds. We’ve previously highlighted how copywriting can create illusions that tingle the skin and tastebuds, and with each additional triggered sense, the deeper the impression of the story. Join Wordsmith as we explore deeper into the world of multisensory writing!

What do Nigerian princes, your “buddy” Dave (who you haven’t spoken to since high school) and snake oil salespeople have in common? Whether they’re peddling a job opportunity, a multi-level marketing scheme or the perfect set of cruelty-free non-FDA approved lotions for your skin type, they share sales pitch tactics designed to persuade and potentially deceive the unwary – some of which are used legitimately in marketing as well! Join Wordsmith as we take a closer look behind the psychology – and language – of deception.

In Hong Kong, China and most other cultures, the word “face” (面子 or mianzi) carries a dual meaning. Apart from its literal definition of outwards appearance, it also represents the sociological concept of a person(s) “self-image or value and their want [for such] to be appreciated and respected by other members of the community.” 

Even in the face of a screwup (pun intended), it’s inevitable that people or businesses seek to preserve face when making an apology – be it through pointing the finger of blame, offering reparations, vowing to make changes or some combination of the above. In most cases, this tactic can result in apologies that fail to impress, or worse yet, appear disingenuous. So how exactly should we go about crafting a genuine apology? Read on to find out more… 

It goes without saying that customer trust is a brand’s most valuable asset – but we thought we’d give you a reminder anyway. With 92% of consumers saying they are more likely to trust brands that support social issues and environmental efforts, it’s time for companies to stand up and take notice. 

Over the past decade, social responsibility, employee satisfaction and environmental impact are now more entrenched than ever before in the marketing sector, in an effort to build trust and encourage positive social change. In a world increasingly filled with fake news, customers are more sceptical towards environmentally-driven marketing efforts, which is why brands need to create a solid content strategy that truly showcases their brand’s tenacity, unity and most of all transparency. 

Take a look at Wordsmith’s top 5 examples of how to create a compelling narrative around your brand’s social and environmental initiatives. 

Do you know what’s worse than a boring story? Boring delivery. Try reading these passages (courtesy of The Paris Review) and see if you can go beyond the first paragraph. While the article quotes material from 1892 with the intent of helping you fall asleep, you’ll find that such lacklustre styles of writing are still around even today.

If you’ve read our previous article on alliterations and assonance from Mark Forsyth’s book The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase, you’ll know that a touch of poetic prose can give your copy a much-needed lift. However, if you’re looking to explore deeper into the art of rhetorical manipulation, read on to find out more…

It’s no surprise that marketers look to storytelling to captivate their audiences – not just visually, but through the other senses as well. A notable example would be Hennessy XO’s collaboration with director Ridley Scott, where creative freedom depicted Scott’s interpretation of the layers behind the premium cognac. As you’d expect from the legend who directed the Blade Runner and Alien series, the cinematography, sound-design and scriptwriting all came together to tell a cohesive story that tickles the senses.  

As copywriters, we don’t have access to the tools of a Hollywood director. Instead, we have to rely on words to metaphorically paint our stories, orchestrate the accompanying soundtracks and just about everything else in between. Interested in learning more about multi-sensory copywriting to expand your linguistic arsenal? Read on…

Every writer has a comfort zone of topics. However, the moment we are pulled from our cushy dens and asked to write about something unfamiliar, it can feel like we’ve been stranded at sea. 

The ability to masterfully write about anything is a dream that most copywriters salivate over, but for anyone who isn’t a prodigal wordsmith, it can be easy to lack confidence in our copy. If you’re looking to become a more well-rounded writer (with the bravado to boot), read on… 

Most consumers trust people over brands when it comes to product recommendations, so it’s no surprise that strategies like influencer marketing are on the rise. Designed to tap into an existing community of highly engaged followers on social media, Business Insider claims that influencer marketing ad spend is projected to reach between US$5 billion and US$10 billion by 2022. 

Far from being buzzwords, influencers are quickly becoming one of the most profitable ways to advertise. According to Forbes, influencer marketing is growing even faster than digital ads.With an endless stream of overarching benefits including increased follower engagement, heightened brand awareness, improved credibility and higher website traffic, influencer marketing remains a viable tactic for companies of all sizes. 

Join Wordsmith as we take look at 5 successful brands that have hit the nail on the head when it comes to influencer marketing.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of triumph upon finishing your first draft, but you’d be a fool to think that your copy is perfect as is. Aside from the obvious threat of spelling or grammatical errors, there could be concerns regarding readability, conciseness and whether the copy truly speaks to your readers. Need some pointers to clean up your copy? Never fear – Wordsmith is here!

The Internet and mobile data networks have allowed for global communications on a whim. With instant messaging and email, we’ve grown accustomed to instant gratification – especially when it comes to receiving sweet nothings from that special someone. Although romantic letter writing may be a dying art, we at Wordsmith believe it is an art worth saving. So with a little help from the Academy Award-winning film Green Book, read on to find out more…

Technology has made information into a commodity. But how much thought do we put into the validity of information we find online?

When we look something up, we defer to the reporting or opinions of others before we form our own judgments, which give these external groups considerable influence over us – especially if they can manipulate our expectations with the power of cue words. Want to find out how it’s done? Read on…  

Long gone are the times when publishing directly from Microsoft Word to your website was enough to gain traction and build online audiences. The days of publish-and-pray are severely outdated when it comes to modern content distribution. 

These days, marketers need to think beyond simply sharing content on social media, to find new channels that get their content out there in the open, on centre stage, in front of their target audiences. Content distribution is as critical to your marketing strategy as creating the content itself. The old phrase “if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”, rings far too true in this scenario…

As copywriters, our work takes us to a myriad of working environments – ranging from the open-plan offices favoured by prestigious creative agencies to the columns of cubicles seen in more traditional offices (or dingy closets for those unfortunate enough). Whenever we take on a new job, we are often so focused on the tasks at hand that we neglect to consider the environment and its impact on our productivity for said tasks. Which environment is best suited for writing? Join Wordsmith to find out more…

As the financial year draws to a close, the thoughts of listed companies turn to producing their annual reports. Although some treat this as a boilerplate reporting exercise seeking no more than regulatory compliance, the annual report is a fantastic opportunity to market your brand and your company’s investment potential. Looking to bring a spark of innovation to your annual report? Read on…

Have you ever written like you were on fire, only to fizzle out moments later by slamming into the dreaded wall of writer’s block? Instead of trying to power your way through it, did you know there are other ways of getting around this impasse? Join Wordsmith to find out more!

Best-selling children’s author E.B. White, once said, “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper”, and he wasn’t far wrong. There will never be a perfect time when all the stars align for you to write your masterpiece, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a successful daily routine that helps spur your creativity.

While some writers have slightly unorthodox techniques of overcoming their creative blocks and procrastination, from Dan Brown’s (author of the “Da Vinci Code”) “Inversion therapy” to Victor Hugo (author of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”) instructing his valet to confiscate all of his clothes to meet to his strict deadlines, other writers’ routine habits have since gained credibility, and become widely used in writing circles and even large corporations. 

So warm up your writing muscles, and join Wordsmith as we take a look into popular daily habits from some of the most successful content creators of our time.

What do the Survivor television series, the film My Fair Lady and Shakespeare’s classic works all have in common? Why, great and memorable taglines and quotes of course! If you’re curious how writers come up with such mind-lingering hits, then join Wordsmith as we take a look at some tips from writer and etymologist Mark Forsyth in his book The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase.

With climate change all around us, the relevance of sustainability is more important than ever before. As we power down to minimise our carbon footprints, why not dust off those long forgotten notebooks and write in analogue? Although picking up a pen again can be a strange sensation, what if we told you that there are psychological benefits to handwriting? Read on to find out more… 

Saint Patrick’s Day celebrates all things Irish. While our immediate thoughts may be of rowdy barrooms and leprechauns, did you know that a number of highly regarded writers hail from the Emerald Isle? Oscar Wilde was among one of the most distinguished. Noted for his views on social matters, his great works like The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest challenged society’s status quo. Join Wordsmith to delve into Wilde’s writing philosophies through several of his greatest quotes!

Any company, regardless of size, should understand the benefits of having a solid content marketing strategy in place. The numbers speak for themselves. With content marketing generating over 3x as many leads, while costing a shocking 62% less than outbound marketing it begs the question as to why more companies aren’t utilising content marketing to its full potential. It not only maximises your ROI, but when implemented correctly it can establish your brand identity; build your reputation as an industry thought leader; and most importantly increase trust among your existing and potential customers…