Comments for Neesham Public Relations http://www.neesham.co.uk Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:26:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Is spelling really that important? by Brendan Cooper http://www.neesham.co.uk/is-spelling-really-that-important/#comment-195 Brendan Cooper Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:26:36 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=669#comment-195 As a copywriter, when I see a typo/spelling mistake/grammatical error, I have to say that I cringe on a good day and swear loudly at the screen on a bad one. My view is that, if a company or individual cannot get the basics right, why should I invest in them? Having said which, I do know very competent people who have real problems with written English, and some of our leading businesspeople have dyslexia, such as Richard Branson. I guess the answer is: employ the right people in the right jobs. To misquote David Cameron, let the writers to the writing and let the Bransons do the talking. And the tools to help you? Your eyes, first and foremost. Read the piece, then read it again. If you have time, leave it overnight, and read it the next morning. Get someone else to read it if you're going boss-eyed. Spellcheck should be the very last thing you use to make sure everything's tickety-boo. One day you'll get 'Spellcheck complete' with no errors, at which point you will have achieved a state of nirvana and can indulge in some yogic flying. As a copywriter, when I see a typo/spelling mistake/grammatical error, I have to say that I cringe on a good day and swear loudly at the screen on a bad one.

My view is that, if a company or individual cannot get the basics right, why should I invest in them?

Having said which, I do know very competent people who have real problems with written English, and some of our leading businesspeople have dyslexia, such as Richard Branson.

I guess the answer is: employ the right people in the right jobs. To misquote David Cameron, let the writers to the writing and let the Bransons do the talking.

And the tools to help you? Your eyes, first and foremost. Read the piece, then read it again. If you have time, leave it overnight, and read it the next morning. Get someone else to read it if you’re going boss-eyed.

Spellcheck should be the very last thing you use to make sure everything’s tickety-boo. One day you’ll get ‘Spellcheck complete’ with no errors, at which point you will have achieved a state of nirvana and can indulge in some yogic flying.

]]> Comment on The question of readership by Peter van der Sluijs http://www.neesham.co.uk/the-question-of-readership/#comment-192 Peter van der Sluijs Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:23:32 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=639#comment-192 Steve - I agree, media - social or otherwise, stands or falls by its content. I can think of a number of successful 'blogs' that are simply continuations of successful email newsletters. I'll take a look at Bob's column. Steve – I agree, media – social or otherwise, stands or falls by its content. I can think of a number of successful ‘blogs’ that are simply continuations of successful email newsletters. I’ll take a look at Bob’s column.

]]> Comment on The question of readership by Steve Baker http://www.neesham.co.uk/the-question-of-readership/#comment-191 Steve Baker Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:19:03 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=639#comment-191 Doesn't discussion of new media vs. old media or news page vs. blog divert us from the key question: what is your *message*? Having a blog doesn't mean that you have something to say. However, if have something to say, a blog might be a useful way of saying it. I always used to look forward to Bob Pease's monthly column in EDN (I confess, this is going back about 20 years!) as he regularly delivered a compelling mix of wit and wisdom—easy reading with some practical application for a budding electronics engineer. So many years have passed and yet I still remember some of the things he wrote. Whereas I strongly doubt that even 0.0000000001% of what's written in the gazillions of blogs that will be updated today will be remembered by anyone—not even the authors—in 20 years time. Doesn’t discussion of new media vs. old media or news page vs. blog divert us from the key question: what is your *message*?

Having a blog doesn’t mean that you have something to say. However, if have something to say, a blog might be a useful way of saying it.

I always used to look forward to Bob Pease’s monthly column in EDN (I confess, this is going back about 20 years!) as he regularly delivered a compelling mix of wit and wisdom—easy reading with some practical application for a budding electronics engineer. So many years have passed and yet I still remember some of the things he wrote. Whereas I strongly doubt that even 0.0000000001% of what’s written in the gazillions of blogs that will be updated today will be remembered by anyone—not even the authors—in 20 years time.

]]> Comment on The joy of blogging by Peter van der Sluijs http://www.neesham.co.uk/the-joy-of-blogging/#comment-190 Peter van der Sluijs Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:42:35 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=613#comment-190 I hope so too, Andy! I hope so too, Andy!

]]> Comment on The joy of blogging by Andy Wright http://www.neesham.co.uk/the-joy-of-blogging/#comment-189 Andy Wright Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:39:37 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=613#comment-189 I'm always worried about the ambiguity of the word 'actionable'. Sure, one meaning is "Able to be done or acted on; having practical value". But the other is "Giving sufficient reason to take legal action". I hope your blogging doesn't lead to too many of the second type of 'actionable outcomes'! I’m always worried about the ambiguity of the word ‘actionable’.

Sure, one meaning is “Able to be done or acted on; having practical value”. But the other is “Giving sufficient reason to take legal action”.

I hope your blogging doesn’t lead to too many of the second type of ‘actionable outcomes’!

]]> Comment on New ASA Internet powers and PR by Mike Caddy http://www.neesham.co.uk/new-asa-online-powers-and-pr/#comment-187 Mike Caddy Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:59:52 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=417#comment-187 A useful reminder of the new regs, Peter. Given that genuine and demonstrable customer testimonials are just about the most compelling endorsement there is, how about encouraging would-be promoters to offer observations like 'our software is used by xxx to improve their manufacturing planning by 23%' instead of 'one of the leading ERP systems'? A useful reminder of the new regs, Peter.

Given that genuine and demonstrable customer testimonials are just about the most compelling endorsement there is, how about encouraging would-be promoters to offer observations like ‘our software is used by xxx to improve their manufacturing planning by 23%’ instead of ‘one of the leading ERP systems’?

]]> Comment on The rise of digital cinema by Peter van der Sluijs http://www.neesham.co.uk/the-rise-of-digital-cinema/#comment-186 Peter van der Sluijs Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:25:48 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=411#comment-186 Digital Cinema doesn't get the play it deserves in the media. I visited the remarkable Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted (www.therexberkhamsted.com) and nearly broke my neck over four large and weighty cases containing last night's film. Cinema presents unique and very significant challenges for digital delivery and is truthfully its last frontier. Digital Cinema doesn’t get the play it deserves in the media. I visited the remarkable Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted (www.therexberkhamsted.com) and nearly broke my neck over four large and weighty cases containing last night’s film. Cinema presents unique and very significant challenges for digital delivery and is truthfully its last frontier.

]]> Comment on RS Components wins EPCOS Sales Award by REVIEW IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!! http://www.neesham.co.uk/rs-components-wins-epcos-sales-award/#comment-185 REVIEW IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT!!! Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:23:08 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=192#comment-185 <strong>MOST INFORMATIVE SITE FOR ELECTRONICS....</strong> **YOUTUBE VIDEO REVIEWS ON THE HOTTEST ELECTRONICS OUT**... MOST INFORMATIVE SITE FOR ELECTRONICS….

**YOUTUBE VIDEO REVIEWS ON THE HOTTEST ELECTRONICS OUT**…

]]> Comment on Is blogging cost-effective? by Mike Caddy http://www.neesham.co.uk/is-blogging-cost-effective/#comment-184 Mike Caddy Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:18:26 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=100#comment-184 It may be a lot cheaper, but editorial content has the stamp of 3rd party endorsement, which a coporate blog doesn't have... In my opinion, confusing what a blog can achieve with what a carefully-planned PR campaign can yield is missing the potential value and power of each. One is a way to give one's company a contemporary and personal voice; the other is a way to drive thought leadership, industry awareness and credibility. I know which I place greater value in! Mike It may be a lot cheaper, but editorial content has the stamp of 3rd party endorsement, which a coporate blog doesn’t have…

In my opinion, confusing what a blog can achieve with what a carefully-planned PR campaign can yield is missing the potential value and power of each.
One is a way to give one’s company a contemporary and personal voice; the other is a way to drive thought leadership, industry awareness and credibility. I know which I place greater value in!

Mike

]]> Comment on Death of the Copywriter by Peter van der Sluijs http://www.neesham.co.uk/death-of-the-copywriter/#comment-183 Peter van der Sluijs Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:32:16 +0000 http://neesham.co.uk/blog/?p=78#comment-183 Andy - absolutely, 'perceived value' is the core of the issue. The challenge is to come up with some way of quantifying this value. Andy – absolutely, ‘perceived value’ is the core of the issue. The challenge is to come up with some way of quantifying this value.

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