It’s impossible for copywriters to avoid clichés and stock phrases altogether, especially when writing short copy. But we should at least challenge ourselves to be original and sincere when we can. Tempted to call that event a “great day out with something for all the family”? Itching to ask people to “simply” phone or email?

The problem with asking a creative writer or editor to proofread something is good writers and editors can’t resist making changes. They’re too subjective. They change things not because something is wrong but because it’s not how they’d say it themselves. Proofreading is purely objective. It’s either right or it isn’t. Any subjective changes should

If you didn’t spot the ‘double the’ in the subject line, don’t beat yourself up. You’re in good company. Very few people spot a ‘double the’. In fact, very few people are good at spotting most of the common proofreading mistakes, particularly in their own writing. Not wired for proofreading The human brain isn’t geared

Business writers are an anxious bunch. Unlike creative writers free from corporate limitations, business writers constantly worry about objective and message and tone of voice and must-haves and must-nots. It’s surprising we come up with any original thoughts. Here then are the 12 online resources I use to inspire me, sense-check my copy and reassure

What message do we convey when we say or write “I’m just checking if Friday’s meeting is still on” or “this is just an example of our creative work”? ‘Just’ has become the new ‘basically’, the word many of us habitually use without even realising it. While ‘basically’ adds nothing, but doesn’t necessarily harm our communications,