How I started writing - by Helen Brain
I started to write years ago, when I had small children. We'd moved to a fishing village on the West Coast of South Africa - a bleak, sandy place, where the people were poor, and the environment harsh. I'd always wanted to write, but because I hadn't studied English at University, I thought I couldn't.
But stuck in the back of beyond with no friends and no job, I had to do something. I began to write a novel based on my Great Grandmother's experience immigrating to South Africa in 1890, so her husband could make his fortune on the newly discovered diamond fields.
Read the rest of Helen's article here.
Become a magazine journalist with these 10 tips - by Jezemae Cogan
So you want to flip open a magazine and see your article standing proud? Here are 10 tips to get your career started as a magazine journalist.
1. Find ideas to write about
- Sometimes finding an idea to write about can be the hardest part, but look into what interests you and what your hobbies are.
- Listen and watch people around you; you may just pick up an idea.
- Look at articles in the newspaper and create a completely different angle on the topics of the day.
2. Choose the right magazine
- Make sure the topic of your article works with the magazine, and that the tone and style fit in.
- Also remember to consider the readership such as their age and their interests. A highly scientific article won't interest the features editor or the readers of Seventeen Magazine.
Read the rest of Jezemae's tips here.
How changing technology is changing advertising: Six copywriting trends for the new year - by Mandy Speechly
In Part One Mandy explained how technology has changed the way advertisers work; in this article she looks at six trends that have had a direct impact on the copywriting industry.
One of the most important rules is that great advertising is produced by showing a real and insightful understanding of the consumer. However, there is no single formula to reach and engage with this consumer, and the parameters are constantly changing. Here's how ...
Buying behaviour is changing
Firstly, people are becoming cynical about advertising. We are so overloaded with advertising messages we have learnt to ignore what doesn't interest us.
But more importantly, because so much of it doesn't show a meaningful understanding of our needs we choose to avoid it whenever possible.
Read the rest of Mandy's article here.
Further reading suggestions from our blog:
