Welcome to Words in Motion, WordDrive's new monthly e-newsletter about good writing for powerful communications. Words in Motion will: - Support you with information and advice about writing that works
- Leverage your use of the Internet for communications
- Troubleshoot common problems you may be experiencing
- Help you navigate the ins and outs of launching your own e-newsletter
- Guide you in determining when it's appropriate to get outside help for your writing needs
- Stay in touch so you have a trusted source to call when you need writing support.
Each issue will include my column, "Keeping up with the Internet." This month's column addresses the fundamentals of using e-news to stay connected to your clients and markets. Words in Motion is produced by my business, WordDrive Communications, specializing in writing for health care institutions. WordDrive also offers writing services for business, academia, and the not for profit sector. Many of you know that I've been writing for more than 30 years, and that I've built WordDrive on 12 years in sales and marketing at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Being PreparedIt's a good idea to be ready in advance when you need outside help with writing. Sometimes you don't realize that your needs are escalating, and when you have to move quickly you don't always get what you need. You are much better off when you already know and trust a writer you can call for help. Words in Motion will help you determine when you'll need an outside writer, and how to select someone to meet your particular need. Enlisting the right outside services, at the right time, can save you considerable time, stress, and probably money. By clicking on Join Our Mailing List you'll receive a free monthly email copy of Words in Motion. E-news is a great way to stay in touch, and I would love to hear your comments and requests for future issues. Feel free to forward this issue to friends and colleagues you think might find it helpful--use the link to the right. Best wishes! 
Learn more about Jane and the benefits of working with WordDrive.
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Keeping up with the Internet:
E-Newsletters
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Why launch an email newsletter (like Words in Motion) if you already have a perfectly good hard copy you mail every quarter? After all, if you want to send it by email, you can attach the PDF file, right?
Here's the thing: An e-newsletter is a very different animal from a hard copy or a PDF attachment. People are, wisely, reluctant to open attachments, and don't always have the software to read PDF files. An e-newsletter is readable simply by opening the email. And, unlike a hard copy, an e-newsletter is an interactive tool for developing relationships within your market or community.
I could write a 5,000 word article about the benefits of this ingenious and relatively new device, but for now, here's the news in a nutshell:
- E-newsletters enable your readers to come to know, like and trust you, and become part of your community. You are the one they will think of in the event they need your service.
- E-newsletters allow you to evaluate reader response and adjust your content and lists accordingly.
- An e-newsletter is affordable, no matter the size of your budget. It has none of the complications and costs of printing and mailing.
- You can invite your readers to forward your e-newsletter to other readers, thereby making use of the personal referral, one of the most important tools for developing your business or practice.
- You can vary the content of your e-newsletter--sending as many different versions as you have readers--with virtually no additional cost.
- Your e-newsletter's live links direct your readers instantly to your website, where they can learn the full story about what you have to offer.
The only thing e-newsletters can't do for you is write their own content, and that's where I come in. I can help you get started with an e-news service provider and develop the copy for your first issue.
Email me for a half hour telephone session to explore setting up your own e-newsletter.
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| Concerning fountain pens | I
have always loved fountain pens. I like pens that are solid, cool in the hand,
and take ink from a bottle.
When I write, I definitely use my keyboard,
but I can see my pen right now, in the sunlight on my desk, ready when I
am. I love to feel the ink flowing
easily across the paper.
This
is how I like to write for my clients.
To make the words flow, I start by asking a lot of questions! I need to know as much as I can persuade you to
tell me about your business. 
I
like you to be at ease, not worried about the words, and ready to think about
your strengths, your story, even-yes, that word-your brand. Whether
you are a hospital, a home health agency, a business or a university, I can
help.
I hope you've enjoyed Words in Motion's first issue. Next month will include another "Keeping up with the
Internet" column and provide more information about writing that
works. Feel free to send me questions and comments and let me know what you'd like to see. I look forward to
hearing from you.
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Complimentary Consultations
WordDrive offers a 45-minute complimentary consultation for individuals and organizations interested in learning more about how my services can help them with their writing requirements. These sessions are also useful to prospective clients who want to discuss and clarify their writing needs and projects.
Contact Jane to learn more about a complimentary consultation. |
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Articles
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Request one of Jane's helpful articles about communications writing and management.
Workshops
Does your team need a writing refresher course? My workshops tackle the challenge of producing lively prose in websites and newsletters.
[insert link] for information about WordDrive articles and workshops. |
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graphics by mannis macneil
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