Authentically Written
Blog articles about communications, marketing, advertising and more.
The content you haven’t written yet
One of the biggest misconceptions with regard to content writing is: “I don't have anything worth writing about.”
Success left clues
As a child, I thought I would grow up to be a teacher, a lawyer, a meteorologist. I never dreamed of becoming a marketing professional.
The future is AI and people
At an event last week, a fellow entrepreneur made a comment that really made me dig deep and think. They said building the business I'm building must be particularly difficult due to the pervasiveness of AI.
Not every criticism is a verdict
Not every criticism is a verdict, sometimes it’s an invitation to something greater.
Today’s Win: I showed up anyway
Some victories don’t make headlines, but they’re still worthy of celebration.
Why every business needs an editor
At the end of the day, every business needs someone who can challenge assumptions, ask thoughtful questions, and help bridge the gap between expertise and understanding.
The summary isn’t the story
Yesterday, I was listening to a sermon by Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church, and he said something that stuck with me: Don’t get so stuck on the summary …
The compliment I almost ignored
Years ago, some former coworkers gave me the moniker “National Word Ambassador,” partly in jest but partly because the right words come to me so naturally.
For the love of clarity
Anyone remember the 1990s movie Philadelphia starring Denzel Washington and Tom Hanks? Throughout two-hour film …
The conversations we need more of
As a society, we have become accustomed to move as quickly as possible. We binge-watch entire TV series to get to the ending. We skip the commercials. We listen to audiobooks at double speed. We buy the express pass so we can skip the line. We’re always rushing toward the outcome.
Don’t let rejection write the story
The story we tell ourselves can be the most powerful story of all … and the most damaging, if we let it.
Understanding begins with listening
I know I still have many miles to go in this career, but when I look back on the past 25 years and even beyond that, I realize my communication career started began taking shape long before I took a single course, wrote a single article, or facilitated a single workshop.
“Just Be Yourself” isn’t the whole story
Being yourself doesn't mean sharing every thought, experience, and detail of your life. It means understanding which parts of your story are most relevant to the people you want to serve.
Why I think AI will make storytelling more important
As AI becomes more capable of producing content, authentic storytelling will become even more important.
Before you push forward, pause
A new year often brings a sense of renewal. It's a time when we establish fresh goals and new strategies. Yet somewhere between January's enthusiasm and December's finish line, it's easy to become consumed with the work and stop evaluating whether the message still aligns with the mission.
The power of a father’s presence
I am so grateful I grew up in a household where my Dad was present. Well ... most of the time.
Juneteenth: A story of American freedom
In just a few days, the United States will observe Juneteenth. Juneteenth is more than a date on the calendar, it's a defining part of American history.
Content vs. copywriting: What’s the difference?
What's the difference between content creation and copywriting? It's a question I hear often and for good reason. Many people use these words interchangeably, but they're not the same.
Before the words: Finding clarity through listening
In my nearly three decades of crafting messages, I've learned that writing rarely begins with the words themselves. Long before I put pen to paper or type out words on a screen, I listen.
Beyond the scroll
We live in a world where attention has become currency — literally and figuratively. In the U.S., TikTok has more than 90 million users who spend nearly an hour on the platform every single day.