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Copy editor clean content strong messaging
Copy editing, Copywriting, Marketing

Why use a copy editor?

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There’s a lot to think about when you’re writing: what you’re trying to say, how you’re trying to say it, how you’ll link up the next idea, what you want to achieve. And then there’s the technicalities of writing: grammar, punctuation, word choice. There’s a lot going on, and plenty of scope for error.

Grammar matters

Something as simple as a misplaced comma can de-rail a sentence or cause hilarity. There are many grammar memes that demonstrate this point. For example: “Let’s eat, Grandma!” versus “Let’s eat Grandma!” Small errors can literally change meaning. So yes, grammar matters – particularly for Grandma!

Editing is part of the process

Editing always has to be a part of the writing process. Often, it’s most valuable after the content is drafted in full. In fact, authors and journalists always go through a rigorous editorial process before their work is published. Writing is about getting the ideas down; editing is when the writing is interrogated, the story improved, and the sentences finessed.

Another pair of eyes

Another reader will typically see what is lacking or what doesn’t make sense in your copy. This is particularly the case if they’re an outsider and don’t have the context of those close to the subject matter. When you’re living and breathing a topic, it can be hard to put yourself in your customers’ shoes and focus on what matters to them. Another pair of eyes will also pick up the small slips we all make when we’re writing.

Pause before you publish

With social media and content management systems, it’s quick and easy to self-publish. It’s worth remembering though, that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Content that is confusing or poorly punctuated could weaken your brand. In addition to picking up any errors, a copy editor will understand what you’re trying to say and will help you better articulate it.

For help with copy editing, contact Caroline Roberts on 0404 960 908 or caroline@luminous-copy.com 

Use a tender writer
Copywriting, Tender writing

Why use a tender writer?

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Tendering to government or a corporate is a huge amount of work for any small to medium sized business. Not only is there a lengthy non-price response to submit, but there is also the nitty-gritty of pricing the offer.

Your bid needs to be competitive but also profitable for your business. Arguably the hardest and most important part of the process is deciding whether to tender at all and pricing your proposal.

If you decide to go ahead, a tender writer can help you present your company in the best light. While all tenders are different, there are some areas that always come up. These include questions on your:

  • Prior experience
  • People and equipment
  • WHS management
  • Environmental management
  • Quality assurance

Saving you time

A tender writer will be able to fill in as much of this content as possible, re-purposing information from previous tenders, the company website or other sources. This saves the proprietor a huge amount of time and effort, enabling them to continue running their business while tendering.

Tailoring your response

A professional tender writer understands what the procurement panel is looking for; they will not simply copy and paste blocks of text from one tender to another. Each answer needs to be tailored specifically to that question, so its response delivers what the judging panel is looking for. It’s only with careful customisation that a tender can be truly persuasive and stand the best chance of success.

Ensuring your offer is clear

A tender writer can also challenge the business owner to communicate their offer in plain English. They can point out any areas that are overly technical and require simplification or additional explanation for a lay person to understand. As an outsider who does not know your business like you do, a tender writer can provide valuable perspective.

Providing peace of mind

The tender documentation can often include extensive service specifications and technical requirements, not to mention dates and details to be across. Therefore, it helps to have another party read over this detail to make sure you have everything covered off in your offer and are submitting your tender in a compliant form. With so much information to take onboard, it helps to have somebody else validate that you have everything covered off.

While tendering is always a huge endeavour, a tender writer will save you time and help you to deliver a clear, polished, professional-looking bid. In the meantime, you can continue running your business and doing what you do best.

For help with tenders, contact Caroline Roberts on 0404 960 908 or caroline@luminous-copy.com

Customer letters brand touchpoint
Copywriting, Letters, Marketing

How to write a good customer letter

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A well written customer letter can be a positive touchpoint with your brand, helping to reinforce what you do and what you’re all about. Writing can be difficult though, and if you miss the mark by just a little, you can easily annoy or offend your customers.

Have a clear purpose

Include a subject line highlighting what your letter is about. Then think carefully about what is needed in the communication and include all relevant details. As we all know, it’s very annoying when key information is missing!

Get to the point

Tell the customer what they need to know. Most people are time-poor and want to move through their personal admin quickly. They don’t want to be sifting through waffle, so make sure your writing is clear, concise and purposeful.

Make things easy

Use subheadings, bullet points (as necessary) and plenty of white space to break up copy. This makes the content more scannable, making it easier for customers to see your key messages and take action.

Be friendly

Remember you like your customers very much, so address them in a friendly way. Even if your business tone is professional, take care not to make your communication overly formal or aloof. Write with a specific customer in mind so you can pitch your letter appropriately. Use language that suits your company and what it stands for.

Include call to action / next steps

If you have a call to action, make it timebound so customers take action immediately – otherwise it will be quickly forgotten about! Guide your customers through your process with next steps information, so they feel supported and you get results.

Follow these tips in your customer letters and get the response that you’re looking for.  

For help with customer letters, contact Caroline Roberts on 0404 960 908 or caroline@luminous-copy.com

How to win a grant
Copywriting, Grant writing

Six ways to win a grant

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Applying for a grant is extremely competitive but can be a great way of taking your business forward. Here are my tips for grant writing success:

  1. Make sure you meet eligibility criteria

For-profit businesses may be eligible for government and corporate grants. The first step is to check that your organisation meets the grantor’s eligibility criteria. Normally this will be clearly spelled out in the program guidelines. If it’s not clear, you can usually telephone the funding body to confirm before you get started on your application.

2. Tailor your application to meet the grantor’s objectives

Always remember that it’s not about your business, it’s about the funding body. Have a close read of their program objectives to understand what they are trying to achieve. Then make sure your application aligns with and supports these goals. Clearly present the business case for your funding application so the grantor feels confident backing you. 

3. Request funding to achieve a specific endeavour

Seek funding from different sources as it gives grantors confidence to see that others have backed you. They are also more likely to fund you a small amount to achieve a specific endeavour than provide general funding for your business as this reduces risk for them. This approach also makes it easier to measure outcomes from your project, which invariably will be a reporting requirement for the grantor.

4. Make sure your grant application is SMART

Grant assessors always favour proposals that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Resourced and Timebound. This detail demonstrates the planning that has already gone into the project and shows that the business is well-positioned to achieve its goals. From a governance perspective, it shows the funding has a clear purpose.

5. Provide evidence of your ability to deliver

Details of prior experience, the track record of key people, testimonials, photographs, diagrams, research and any necessary approvals all provide valuable evidence of your business’ capability to deliver. Carefully answer all questions in the application and attach supporting material if permitted.

6. Make sure your application is well written

If you know your grant assessors are subject matter experts, then you can use technical language and industry acronyms. However, it is generally best practice to write in a plain English style. Make sure you use active verbs and avoid the passive tense where possible; the assessors need to know who is doing what and when!

For help with your grant application, contact Caroline Roberts on 0404 960 908 or caroline@luminous-copy.com