English is an Odd Language

English is known for being difficult to master. It’s full of contradictions and, although there are rules, there are lots of exceptions to those rules.

Here's a handful of examples. 

They're in meme format, so if you find one or two particularly interesting, amusing, or infuriating, you can easily copy and paste 'em into social media.

You might have to read that last one twice.

I warmed you up for that one with the previous one.

Snuck in another "lead" vs "lead".

Stuff like this has to be tough on court reporters.

That one might've been American English ... I'm not sure if it applies elsewhere.

The next one should be encouraging ... sort of ...

Many years ago in Miami, I was having a conversation on the difficulties of English with an elderly Cuban man. After I complimented him on his English, he smiled broadly and said, "I can speak eleven languages." 

Impressed, I was about to say, "Wow," when his proud smile turned sly and he said, "Of course, no one can understand me when I speak any of them."

His laughter at his own joke was so infectious, I can still hear it today.

Be Like Thomas & Ernest

 It's July 5th.

The day after American Independence Day.

Which brings to mind the Declaration of Independence and its principle author, Thomas Jefferson.

If you are a writer, I urge you to read this masterfully written state paper. Take in the format and the words that have been carefully selected. There's a lot to learn here.

That being said, as a writer, there is more you can learn about your craft from the Declaration of Independence than by only reading it. 

After you read it, consider this photograph of an early draft of the document and the quote from Ernest Hemingway that follows it. 

The first draft of anything is shit. - Ernest Hemingway

The lesson to be learned from Jefferson and Hemingway is to edit and improve every piece you write.

• Many consider Jefferson to have been one of the smartest people on the planet in his time. And it took him many drafts to craft this masterpiece into the brilliant writing that is still relevant hundreds of years after he wrote it.
  
  
• Almost 100 years after it was published, Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" is still considered one of the great American classics. He rewrote the ending over 39 times.

You might not be a Jefferson or a Hemingway, but as a writer you can learn from them. And one of the major takeaways is about the positive impact strong editing can have on the quality of your writing.

Differentiation

Find yourself in a category of look-a-likes?

Be like Party Cannon.

How to Keep Your Clients

Your clients are the life's blood of your business. Take the necessary steps to retain them.
 
6 Proven Ways to Keep Your Clients

1. Set customer expectations early.
   
   
2. Don't overpromise. Do overdeliver.
   
   
3. Maintain consistent and constant meaningful contact.
   
   
4. Own up to your mistakes.
   
   
5. Deliver proactive service.
   
   
6. Get feedback and incorporate it.

 
Learn what the client wants and what their expectations of customer service are beyond the deliverable. 

A good client will give constant feedback. If not, ask for it. 

It's critically important that you listen to the feedback ... and ... try to demonstrate that you listened when servicing the account and when presenting changes or new work.

 

Please take action on this information. In the words of  Bill Davidow: "The longer you wait, the harder it is to provide outstanding customer service."