Welcome to a new edition of the Word Constructions newsletter. I hope you're having a great day and had some fun with April Fool's Day! Personally, I'm off on a camp (you can read about it on my blog if you're interested) so I hope it isn't raining by the time you read this! Thanks to the team at tec4U, too, as they have done more work than usual getting my newsletter together and sent out while I'm away. I've had a varied month of writing - newsletters, document updates, media releases, editorials, letters and website text. I also helped Natural Form with their blog and started on the communications for AvSuper, as well as being accepted as a presenter at the Business Mums Conference in July. It is months like that where I work on many projects that reminds me why I love running my own business - I prefer the variety or work and clients than having a job and writing about the same topics over and over. Recently, I have been reading a book by Maureen Noonan about the legal issues in starting and running a small business in Australia. Once I have finished it, I will write a review of it but so far I am finding it easy to read and of value. The book has me considering my terms and conditions and how they are presented - an important topic we should review periodically, but never seem to rate as important enough to actually do. When is the last time you reviewed your terms, conditions or other guidelines? Or should I ask if you even have any to start with? Use your words wisely! Tash PS Transferring my blog to the new domain was not as easy as I had thought so I will try again once I return from camp - it's coming! Tash Hughes 0428 376 110 fax 03 9445 9154 blog - wordconstructions.wordpress.com www.wordconstructions.com.au For all your business writing needs How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them. - Benjamin Franklin When to send a media release By Tash Hughes of Word Constructions Sending out a good media release can result in great publicity for your business, so it is a good idea to include hits as part of your business marketing and promotions. But what sort of events are worthy of being put into a media release and sent out? Sending out a release just because you need some publicity is not likely to work - it is much better when you write about events that may well interest other people, such as a new time saving invention or opening a new service locally. Read more here... Maybe I'm biased as I've written some, but these guides are a great resource! Business procedures By Tash Hughes of Word Constructions Many small business owners, especially sole traders, know how to run their business so don’t see any reason to write the procedures done. But what happens when the owner isn’t the one trying to carry out a particular task one day? By having procedures written down, someone else is able do the job with minimal disruption to clients and the overall business. Here are some the main reasons to have procedures written down for your business: Someone is able to fill in for you if you are sick or go on holidays Less time is required to train new staff You have a system to sell, either as a franchise or if you sell the entire business There are less likely to be human errors because someone forgets a key step Clients receive consistent answers and service Learn more about what procedures you may need and how to write them. Poor examples Sometimes, the easiest way to learn the correct way to do something is to see it done poorly so in this section of my newsletter, I show you some real-life examples of writing that need a little help. example: By becoming a member you will be entitle you to the following exclusive benefits Issues with this example: I suspect this sentence was written and then some adjustments were made without anyone reading the final sentence from start to finish. This is where someone else proof reading your work can really help. Obviously, ‘you will be entitle you’ doesn’t make sense! Some punctuation would also be useful in this sentence to make it easier to read. A better version would be: (without changing the meaning) By becoming a member, you will be entitled to the following exclusive benefits You are welcome to pass this newsletter on to anyone you think will be interested, but please send it as is without changes. 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