Posts by Suzanne Richardson
The Dangers of Throwing Your Recommendation Around
A few months ago, a former neighbor asked me if there were any job openings in ETR’s editorial department. If so, she wanted her daughter “Gwen” – a young woman I’d known for years – to apply for a position.
Read MoreInstant Writing Fix: Get Rid of the Warm Up
You can almost always make your writing instantly stronger by chopping out the first paragraph or so. Andrew Gordon reminded me of this powerful and simple editing step when he reviewed an ETR article I’d written.
Read MoreHow to Defeat a Sneaky Enemy of Good Writing
One of the biggest enemies of fine writing? The verb “to be.” In all its tenses, this verb can leach the impact out of almost any sentence. It sometimes seems impossible to avoid, but you need to seek it out and destroy it with a vengeance.
Read MoreThe Upsetting Side Effects of “Ready, Fire, Aim”
If you subscribe to Michael Masterson’s “Ready, Fire, Aim” philosophy, you’re no doubt going to notice an unappealing side effect. Sometimes, you’re going to screw up. But don’t be too hard on yourself. Making mistakes – even downright failing – is a part of the learning process that you should welcome with open arms. Michael…
Read MoreHave You Sharpened Your Axe Lately?
“I just can’t make the time management seminar tomorrow,” Amy announced to the editorial team during a recent meeting. “I’m so busy, it’s going to kill my productivity this week!”
Read MoreWorking for the Tip
It must be the only hotel in New York City, nay, the world, that doesn’t have automatic doors.
But wait! It does have a doorman. Seems friendly enough when you pull up in a cab. Offers to take your bag.
But if you dare to reject his offer to carry your bag into the lobby… he lets you get the door yourself.
Are You Guilty of Vocabulary Abuse?
In my brief stint teaching college writing classes, one of the biggest problems I saw among my students was vocabulary abuse.
Read MoreAre You Barking Up the Wrong Tree With Your Marketing Efforts?
They’ve been calling me at least once a week for the past three months. Every time they do (at least, on the occasions when I pick up), I say the same thing: “Please don’t call me during work hours. I’ll be happy to consider this offer, but I’d rather see it in writing. Can you e-mail me the details?”
Read MoreBuild Your E-Mail List With the Relevancy Principle
“Dear ETR, I was wondering if you accept articles for your newsletter?” I get e-mails like this on a weekly basis. And I applaud the senders for their initiative. Since ETR has over 450,000 subscribers, it is a good marketing strategy to get your name and ideas – and a link to your website – into our newsletter.
Read MoreA Free Way to Build Your E-Mail List
As an Internet marketer, your most important possession is your e-mail list – people who have given you permission to contact them.
Read MoreA New Way to Get Your ETR Fix
ETR TV will bring you expert advice on breakthrough marketing techniques from MaryEllen Tribby… proven business-building strategies from Michael Masterson… techniques for writing strong sales copy from Charlie Byrne… steps for increasing your website traffic from Edwin Huertas… and more.
Read MoreHow to Surprise and Delight Your Customers
Roy Flora, Group President of Microtel Inns & Suites, over-delivers by randomly giving away free stays at his hotels. Better yet, he encourages staff members to do the same. It’s one reason that Microtel has ranked at the top of the J.D. Power & Associates North America hotel guest satisfaction survey seven years in a row.
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