Mayors, presidents, CEOs, commissioners, chairpersons… leaders come in many different flavours. Whether they are wise and with our best interests at heart, or profit-driven slave drivers at the top of the food chain, it’s common to find crowds gathered and gawking whenever leaders gives a speech.

You’ll find that the most successful leaders are also charismatic and able to sway crowds with words that strike and resonate. Although leaders are usually trained in the art of public speaking, not many have the time (or know-how) to write their own speeches and press material – hence, the need for ghostwriters. Ghostwriters’ works often go uncredited, but talented writers are widely sought after and treasured by their clients. If you’re curious about what it takes to be a ghostwriter, read on to find out more!

The fifth wave of COVID-19 hit Hong Kong hard. Although we’re already a quarter of the way into 2022, the mood in Hong Kong feels like 2020 all over again. With mass testing and a potential lockdown in sight, many employees are returning to “work from home” arrangements.

Assuming you are able to work from home, it’s obvious that there are many benefits. No need to wake up early for commutes, you can be as dishevelled looking as you like (provided you don’t have to attend online meetings), no supervisor skulking around and spying on your workstation… It all sounds wonderful, but these benefits can quickly become a double-edged sword. Slacking, power napping and spending a bit too much time online can seriously impact our productivity.

If you’re suffering from WFH-fuelled blahs, consider a few tips to get you back up and running - and crossing items off your to-do list!

It comes as no surprise that every writer has a hero – an author, screenplay writer or poet that inspired them to get into writing in the first place. We tell ourselves their literary genius was unique, their work ethic impeccable, their ability to craft the perfect sentences was, and always will be, their domain. Worldwide, you will find statues dedicated to them, museums that house their best works and even gravestones covered in red lipstick kisses from avid admirers (Oscar Wilde), but in reality, we’ve got more in common with these literary greats than we think.

Previously, we’ve mentioned the interesting habits that set some of the world’s best writers apart – like the strict daily exercise routine of Japanese writer, Haruki Murakami and Ernest Hemingway’s innate desire to type standing beside his chest of drawers. But there’s also no denying that there are common traits and characteristics that we, as writers, all share. So, join Wordsmith as we delve deeper into the 5 traits that make a great writer.

With Hong Kong exceeding 50,000 new COVID infections per day, it’s looking like work from home arrangements and extended social distancing protocols are becoming the norm again. With face-to-face meetings falling out of favour, email and instant messaging have become the preferred methods of communication for many. As text lacks the visual cues provided by facial expression in a face-to-face chat, some people argue that written communication lacks emotional impact.

How can we better express enthusiasm in our writing when recipients are unable to see our faces? You might just be surprised by how effective some of these tricks are!

When people think about writing, they often think of words and how messages are conveyed. No message is complete without a carefully thought out sequence of words, but writing encapsulates more than just words – it also needs punctuation. “But Wordsmith, how could punctuation possibly be difficult to use? It’s just used to string together or end sentences,” scoffs the casual writer. This is true… but you’d also be surprised (and rightfully annoyed) to see how some people use apostrophes without a lick of care and treat semicolons like dirt.

Apostrophes, colons and semicolons, join Wordsmith as we explore how to master the more elusive points of punctuation!

The job market is undergoing global reforms – not just because of COVID-19 and its undying persistence, but because the norms of employment are evolving. Towards the end of 2021, the United States was hit by “the Great Resignation”, where millions of workers resigned due to a myriad of reasons, like bad company culture, job insecurity and poor pandemic responses. Although this created plenty of job openings, a growing number of employers have reportedly been unable to fill them, which inadvertently placed greater stress on existing staff and caused a knock-on effect in staff departures (especially when sufficient reimbursement for extra responsibilities was denied).

A potential reason why employers are unable to attract new applicants is due to poor transparency in their job descriptions. Prospective applicants are tired of having to sift through ambiguous details and attending interviews – only to find out that the job isn’t right for them and wasting the time of both employee and employer. If you’re looking to hire, here’s how to write job descriptions that applicants will thank you for!

When it comes to captivating storytelling, the “cliffhanger” is a plot device that has hooked us all for centuries. Arguably seen as one of the most powerful tools ever used to keep fiction, film, and poetic audiences on the edge of their seats, cliffhangers also ensure that they come back for more.

From acclaimed writers like William Shakespeare and J.K Rowling to world-famous directors - such as Lord of the Rings’ Peter Jackson and Irvin Kershner, who directed Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - some of the world’s most incredible storytellers have continued to demonstrate the power of cliffhangers to great effect. So why limit this technique to the entertainment industry? Not only do cliffhangers heighten excitement, but they also increase overall engagement and enhance recall, making them the perfect tool for content marketers to apply to create captivating content that truly holds the audience’s attention.

Unless you are some kind of idea-concocting prodigy, the ideation phase is something that many of us struggle with. To foster an environment more conducive for coming up with new ideas, many companies arrange group brainstorming sessions – hoping that one person’s ideas will trigger others to create a self-powering engine of creativity. However, this is often not the case.

Have you ever been in a session where a handful of people dominate the conversation and everyone else is either too intimidated or disinterested to speak up? How about the moments when people are hopelessly fixated on a counterproductive point? Brainstorming alone is hard enough, but when even group sessions are unproductive, it’s time for change! Join Wordsmith as we explore ways to beef up your brainstorming!

Confidence stems from how we present ourselves. Consider how world leaders, TED talk speakers or anyone who stands before a podium addresses their audience. From confidence (usually together with intellect), comes persuasion. It’s simple on paper, but confidence isn’t born overnight – many speakers spend days and even weeks honing their presentations.

While verbal presentations are what people think of and often fret about most, there are many who neglect their presentation in writing. Whether drafting an email or penning a project proposal, being able to confidently present yourself in writing is equally important as being able to present your case in person. With the very real possibility of continued COVID-related lockdowns in the future, becoming a more assertive writer will serve you well in 2022!

Having a perfect grasp of English and its expansive vocabulary is an achievement that many can only dream of, especially for us copywriters. Many a time, people will come across uncommon or even obscure words – like narcolepsy or fructivorous – and they will instinctively look to us for definitions. While only certain individuals have the mental forte to become walking dictionaries, what if we were to tell you that there are little tricks that you can use to deduce definitions – more specifically, by looking at the roots of the word. If you’ve ever wondered about the etymology of English and how our everyday vocabulary came to be, read on!

For fresh graduates, education plays a considerable role in determining whether or not you score a job. But after a few years in the workforce, your experience counts for much more than your degree(s). What’s the best way to present yourself to potential employers? Let’s take a closer look at how to optimise your LinkedIn profile!

Over the past couple of years, we’re seeing a significant shift away from brands seeking out journalists to publish their business updates. Instead, brands are taking the narrative into their own hands. Traditionally when companies write about themselves, we wind up consuming dry, self-promotional and hollow content – but today, sharing emotive brand stories has become a popular marketing strategy.

By sharing unique brand stories, you attract your ideal customers: individuals who not only love engaging with your stories, but also have potential to become your brand ambassadors. Join Wordsmith as we explore how to create compelling brand stories.

Have you heard of the term Pattern “F” reading before? If you haven’t, then it’s definitely something you’ll want to consider when creating future articles. At first glance, the term appears like an obscure personality test result, but pattern “F” quite literally means to prioritise your key content in the shape of the letter F. Sceptical? Read on to find out how the letter “F” can help you optimise your writing and raise content retention amongst readers!

As we all know, storytelling can be one of the most valuable resources in a content marketer’s toolbox. But in the wake of the latest Climate Change Conference, the COP 26 summit in Glasgow, some of the world’s smartest brands are pivoting and turning their attention towards the power of social impact storytelling. When done effectively, social impact storytelling shows people as active agents of change, which can help to humanize your brand and bring your key values to life, while also inspiring audiences themselves to act.

We said it back at the beginning of 2021, and we’re saying it again; it’s an important time for brands to stop selling and start serving. Customers are on the hunt for responsible brands that not only deliver real, empathy-driven brand experiences but go beyond traditional marketing methods to create captivating stories that show how their brand is going that extra mile, whether it’s supporting small businesses, local communities or the planet through its responsible practices.

Why do we write? To share knowledge, to promote, to offer an opinion… the reasons are many. Although the content will always differ, there’s one element that is almost always shared across all writing – a simple statement that urges audiences to do something: the call-to-action. It’s a phrase that gets thrown around a lot, but an article without a call-to-action is like leading a party into the woods and then intentionally getting lost. If you want to ensure that your audiences are always pointed the right way after reading an article, read on!

Customer testimonials command a high value amongst marketers for one simple reason – each testimonial is an endorsement (or expression of dissatisfaction) straight from the horse’s mouth. Positive feedback is motivation for maintaining quality work, whereas negative feedback provides directions for improvement. Such feedback can quickly cause a snowballing effect that either attracts or dissuades more potential customers, so naturally, you want to do your best to keep customers happy.

Now let’s say you’ve got several customers who are very satisfied and are willing to provide testimonials. Great! Should we just grab their quotes and slap them onto our company website? Well, let’s not be too hasty… Don’t get us wrong, endorsing testimonials and direct quotes are valuable assets, but most can always do with a bit of polish – it just wouldn’t be good copywriting without it! Join Wordsmith and as we explore the ins and outs of quality testimonials.

Becoming an accomplished copywriter is a goal that many strive to attain. However, copywriting has many branches. At one end, we have content writing – a vast field that most of us are familiar with, including everything from blogs, web content and posts on social media to newsletters and TED Talks. On the opposite side, we have business writing, which consists of copywriting under professional settings, such as press releases, annual reports, proposals, business enquiry emails and so on.

For those who want to juggle a more balanced writing portfolio, it’s essential to be acquainted with the ins and outs of business writing. “But where should we start if we’re only familiar with content writing?” we hear you ask. Worry not, for we have several exercises that can help you train up those business writing muscles. Join Wordsmith as we explore the gymnastics of professional writing!

“Yes” – it may only be 3 little letters, but it’s one big word. That simple response has brought music to the ears of every salesperson, advertising executive, marketer and copywriter since the dawn of advertising. Why? Because it’s convincing audiences to engage with your brand, purchase your product, write a 5-star review, and with hopes in the future, of becoming a repeat customer and a loyal brand advocate. “Yes” is the ultimate goal for any interaction between a brand and its potential customers. But how can you convince your readers to utter this magic word? Join Wordsmith to find out.

Ah, horror. The genre of entertainment that people either love or hate. For the many non-fans, it’s easy to disregard horror because of clichéd storylines, cheesy dialogue, cheap jump scares and an overabundance of gore. While this may be true for the thousands of obscure b- and c-list titles, it’d be wrong to lump everything in the horror and thriller categories under the same roof… so why not check out a few good scary titles with Wordsmith? Just in time for the Halloween season, let’s explore the takeaways skulking about in the thrillers we like!

The saying “there’s more than one way to skin a cat”, although gruesome from a literal standpoint, signifies the alternative ways we can do something to achieve similar results. Whether short and concise or lengthy and filled with reiteration, how we choose to convey a message ultimately depends on context.

We’ve come a long way since our first chapter on Mark Forsyth’s book The Elements of Eloquence: How to Turn the Perfect English Phrase, but just as all good things must come to an end, let us explore the final sections on unique literary devices and how they can be applied to make your copywriting more effective!