A Programming Note to Teens on Instagram and Twitter (mine in particular)

Otherwise, you know those awesome baby pics of you in the bathtub where you have more fat rolls than we can count? The ones I think are so precious and you shudder with horror every time they surface? I shall be so blinded by bearing witness to your repeated poor grammar on social media I will accidentally post them. All of them. And tag you. In every. Single. One.

Seriously.

Hugs & Kisses!!

Three Secrets to a Winning "Call to Action"

Have you ever received an email, letter or even a beautifully designed brochure and thought "Um, what?"

The likely issue: the lack of a clear call to action. "Call to action" is marketing speak for convincing the audience to take a certain action immediately, but it is an essential component to most writing -- marketing or otherwise.

In order to develop a clear call to action:

Get focused. Before you write anything, determine what you really want ...

I want a raise of $10,000.

I want to set up a meeting to discuss a position on the board of directors.

I want my neighbor to stop letting her dog conduct its business in my yard without removing the evidence.

You'll be surprised how focused your communications become when you determine what you really want before putting pen to paper.

Collect evidence. You're more likely to get what you ask for if you show you have done your homework.

I doubled sales in the last year and recruited 25 new clients.

I've been active in the organization for 3 years, and my leadership skills can help further the organization.

I snapped a picture on my phone of your dog pooping in my yard.

Whether it is experience, statistics, results or information you have gathered, build their confidence in your abilities before you go in for the kill.

Say it like you mean it. That is, don't make your reader figure out what you want -- tell them.

I'd like to set up a meeting to discuss a salary increase this week. Please let me know your availability.

Please let me know how to apply for a position on the board by emailing me at susieq@abc123.com or calling me at 123.456.7891.

Please start picking up after your dog immediately, otherwise I'll start scooping it up myself ... and dumping it on your front porch. (Kidding. In general, I think it is ill-advised to start a dog-poop war with anyone.)

The secret to an excellent call of action? Tell the reader what you want and make it easy for them to make it happen. It's that simple.

Tell me: can you think of a recent example where a call to action worked for you? Or, better yet, on you? 

Have a fabulous week!

Slash the Trash: How to Persuade by Writing Less

This week, my girls are wrapping up a week of taking standardized tests. As I was helping my 7th grader brush up on Algebra (and yes, my head did nearly explode from the sudden onslaught of "x"s and "y"s, thanks for asking), I was reminded how much non-essential information test writers include in a question to see who can derive clarity in a choppy sea of nonsense. Then I realized  -- how often do we write something just as convoluted?

The girls and I came up with strategies for taking the test ... which work nicely with writing, too. So, let's pretend you're writing your boss an email about potentially attending a fabulous conference in Palm Beach on the company's dime. How can you use test-taking strategies to write the perfect, persuasive email?

1. Underline the question. In other words, get clear about the answer you seek and stay focused on the goal. "I'd like to attend the Awesome People of the World conference in Palm Beach this fall." 

2. Determine the pertinent information needed to answer the question. Are you multiplying? Looking for a percentage? Adding vertices? (What IS THIS? Who am I BECOMING? Why are we DISCUSSING ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY?) For your email, you need dates, cost for conference and travel, amount of time you'll be out of the office. You also need to provide a sound argument as to why this conference is key to improving your organization, and why you're just the person to go.

3. Slash the trash. As I was demonstrating to my kids how the test writers throw in non-essential information to throw you off (I mean, who's this Josea and why is he measuring Himalayan salt?) my youngest interjected (as she so often does, bless us all) "my teachers' call that 'slash the trash.'" This is precisely why teachers should make way more money: their ability to distill a concept into a catchy rhyme. Your boss doesn't need to know how much you love to travel, that your Aunt Sally lives near Palm Beach, or that you bathe in Himalayan salts. Include only information that bolsters your cause ... and the image of you pruning in a tub of salty bathwater should never be branded in your superior's head.

4. Look at the answer for clues on working the problem. These are multiple choice tests, so I told the girls if you're confused, see if the answer will help you figure out how to work the problem. Think through how your superior might answer your request, then find a working solution to the problem. For example, do you suspect your boss will say "that's a very busy time for you to be out of the office"? Include your plan to remain available to your team and get work done during the conference.  

Apply these test-taking strategies the next time you need to write a persuasive piece -- whether a conference pitch, a presentation or just an important email. You'll find the clear, concise writing speeds decisions along ... very often in your favor.

Tell me: Do you have any test-taking strategies to share? Have you ever used a test-taking strategy in your post-school life?



Source: via Maris on Pinterest

How to Write a Professional Bio in 6 Steps

You finally received the coveted call: you landed the keynote speaking engagement, won the top industry award, or snagged an upcoming feature in the local newspaper. “Send over your bio and we’ll get started!”

Gulp. What bio?

A succinct, captivating bio (sometimes called executive profile) is a critical piece in the personal marketing toolkit, and yet the vast majority of professional bios are as interesting to read as a technical manual for a dental chair. That is, not at all.

So if a great bio can be the difference between someone attending your seminar, buying your book or reading your article, it’s essential to aim for a bio that piques — and holds — the reader’s interest, encouraging them to want to know you a little better, and ultimately become a loyal member of your audience.

The trick to hitting the sweet spot with a professional bio is being relatable in a compelling way. Over the years, I have crafted six rules for writing winning bios. Apply these to your bio, and you’ll be ready for that can’t-miss opportunity:

Remember your reader. This is your opportunity to tell your story in an engaging way. Don’t bore your readers by regurgitating your resume. Ask yourself: what captures your attention when you’re reading a bio? Is it big-name companies? High-profile awards? Leadership roles? Make a list of what you notice in bios, and see how you can use those items in your bio, too.

Eye-catching successes go first. I’ve had clients bury their most unique experiences at the end of their bio — things like leadership at NASA, experience as a contributor with USA Today, impressive industry awards and intriguing international assignments. Your bio isn’t the place to be shy about your accomplishments! Make it easy for your reader to respect your successes from the beginning.

Keep it brief. Resist the urge to add unnecessary information.  Ask yourself “why should the reader care?” If you don’t have an excellent answer, save it for your resume. Too many bios go unread because they are too long.

Spell out acronyms and delete phrases requiring interpretation. Nothing turns a reader into a scanner (or snoozer) more quickly than a jumble of letters which mean nothing to people outside your industry. Take the time to spell out any acronym on the first reference.  The same goes for some of those favorite “business-speak” phrases: instead of “constructive stimulus strategist” try “change agent” or even just “leader.” Fancy isn’t always better.

Share personal information sparingly. While bios can be a terrific opportunity to add a personal touch to your professional persona, there is a fine line between interesting and uncomfortably quirky. Stick with the facts (“She lives in Atlanta with her husband and two daughters, and enjoys playing tennis and volunteering at her children’s schools”), always avoiding divisive topics like politics unless they directly impact your career field.

Be willing to call in an expert. If, after applying all the tips you’ve learned in this article, your bio doesn’t have the “snap” you know it needs, hire a professional writer. Your bio is the first opportunity you have to make a favorable impression when connecting with your target audience. Invest in making yours a top-notch personal marketing centerpiece.

Preparing a compelling, succinct bio guarantees when someone asks for yours — and they will — you’ll remain focused on the end result (you know … that amazing award acceptance speech, the front-page article, the keynote address) instead of the smaller, but critically important details.  

Amy M. Dawson is a brand strategist, business writer, newspaper columnist and humor writer. She’s helped hundreds of professionals — from Fortune 500 CEOs to politicians and entrepreneurs— craft their personal brand through their bios. Sign up for her quarterly newsletter here and subscribe to her blog here.

News You Can Use

When someone finds out I'm a writer with a background in branding and publicity, lots of times they'll have a related question for me. Sometimes it's about how to get better rankings for their website on Google searches, sometimes it's how to improve their staff's writing skills, and sometimes it's how to give their resume a boost.

These are always smart, professional folks who know getting a little advice can be a cost-effective way of building their business or personal brand. So in 2013, I'm going to start gathering up the most commonly asked questions, formulating my very best tips and pointers, and sending out a quarterly newsletter. It's my tiny way of helping my favorite small business owners and folks building their personal brands with a free resource for their marketing needs.

The newsletter will differ from the Amy Mac blog in that it will focus entirely on publicity, marketing, branding and business writing tips. So, ya know ... no stories about the kids, dogs, the hubby, or me accidentally trying to destroy the earth. But genuinely relevant information nonetheless.

I'd love it if you'd sign up! You'll get four emails in 2013, chock full of information. (This is an entirely different list than the blog subscriber list, so even if you already follow the blog ... please sign up for this, too!)

I expect the first issue to be ready in the next week, so sign up on the email form below soon! (You can also find the link on the sidebar of the blog.)

Subscribe to the Amy Mac Quarterly Newsletter!

Done? There now, wasn't that easy?

Muchos gracias....see you soon!

PS -- Have something you'd like me to address in the newsletter? Leave a comment!

How to Get What You Want Out of Life

For those of you who visit the blog (versus reading the post in a reader or via email), you might have noticed my header says "Sharpen Your Pencils."

That's a little tip of my hat to a long-held belief that incrementally improving whatever it is you do ... writing, fundraising, creating, selling, teaching, mommying ... on a daily basis is one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of the pack. Better yet, it's a great reminder of why you love what you do...and if we're all put here to do something, might as well do it really, really well, right?

Today, I read this in the book A Writer's Coach by Jack Hart:

"A certain skill with the written word is essential to almost anybody's success in the modern world: the cop filing a report, the foundation director pitching a grant, the moonstruck kid emailing flirtatious notes to that smokin' sophomore in third-period algebra. Whether we get what we want out of life depends, more or less, on how well we use writing to accomplish it." 

Hart goes on to say many of us don't write as well as we might because we believe some nonsensical notion that "good writing is magic."

My goal is to dispel that myth. Because whether you loathe writing or love it, there's no sense in losing business, a grant, or that smokin' sophomore all because you aren't confident in your writing chops. Good writing isn't magic. It's adhering to a few relatively easy principles and using them to your advantage.

So sharpen your pencils ... it's time to write.

How to Catapult Your Resume to the Top of the Pile

One of the top tactics for creating a stand-out resume is framing your accomplishments in a way that grabs the attention of the poor soul whose job is to plow through a zillion resumes a day.

Yet when I'm crafting a resume or professional bio for someone -- usually a very accomplished someone -- they generally stammer something along the lines of "I've been really busy, doing really important stuff, but I, uh, can't seem to remember exactly what that important stuff is. Or, why it matters."

Part of this is inexplicable modesty (this is your resume ... your moment to brag with abandon!) and part of it is as busy people, what was really monumental in January gets eclipsed by other exciting accomplishments before June rolls around.

There's a simple solution to this problem: create an ACCOMPLISHMENTS File. It can be a file on your computer, handwritten in a journal, a note on your iPhone. The where doesn't matter as much as the content you capture, and there are three pertinent components:

1. The date, for obvious reasons.
2. The accomplishment ... and this is no time to edit. No matter how insignificant, ALL accomplishments should be recorded on this spreadsheet. Whether you make a presentation to the CEO, coordinate an event, or lead a coalition for more salad greens in your office cafeteria, record it in your Accomplishments File.
3. The results. What happened as a result of your effort? Was the CEO convinced to launch a new product? Did the event create word-of-mouth resulting in increased sales? Are there, in fact, more salad greens at the lunch table? Capture that information -- you'll need it later.

I keep my file in Microsoft Excel. It isn't fancy. It is four columns across, with the above components along with an area for notes. I capture the information by month. That's it. When I update my resume, I pull out the most pertinent information to include ... and the rest of it reminds me of various fun projects I've done that year.

Keep an Accomplishments File and I promise ... the next time you need to update your resume, you will not dread the task. In fact, with all your awesomeness right there in front of you, you might kinda sorta look forward to it.

Here's to an overflowing 2013 Accomplishments File!

Source: mmorris.webs.com via Soren on Pinterest

How to Write a Resignation Letter

Writing a letter imparting difficult news is, well .... difficult. Whether it's a letter of resignation from a job you love (or hate), a letter to a client about declining sales, or a note to your child's teacher about difficulties at school, hitting the right tone is key to everyone walking away with their professionalism, dignity, and sometimes an appropriate hairstyle, intact.

Use these 5 Steps for Writing a Resignation Letter (or any tricky communication):

Step Away From the Computer. 

Do not, I repeat, DO NOT type this letter when you are angry, elated, drunk, in tears, hungry or itchy. Okay, itchy is a stretch, but you see my point. It is critical to remove emotion from the situation and stick with just the facts, ma'am. Eat a good breakfast, go for a run, get a good night's rest, have yourself a hangover smoothie, whatever you need to do to attack this task with clarity and professionalism. 

Start with a Complimentary "You" Statement. 

Right off the bat, say something nice about the other person. So, instead of "I've always loved working here at Frankie's Fried Chicken" you'll say "The leadership at Frankie's has taught me so much about frying chicken, which is a wonderful skill making a positive impact on my career." This immediately gives the reader a sense of appreciation and sets the right tone to ...

Go in for the Kill. 

Now's the time to tell 'um why you're really here. Be succinct. Say what you need to say ('sup, John Mayer), and get outta there: "As of today, Oct. 1, 2012, I am tendering my resignation from Frankie's. I plan to continue to work for Frankie's for two weeks; my last day will be Oct. 15. I will work with the staff to insure all my projects are complete and that another employee has been briefed on the status of all ongoing projects."

Create a Positive Sandwich. 

Say something nice, and quick. "The warm, friendly atmosphere at Frankie's, along with the delicious, made-from-scratch biscuits, made this a very difficult decision. I appreciate you making me a part of the Frankie's family for the last year."

Close with Connection. 

If you want to stay in touch, say so. If you DON'T want to stay in touch, that's okay, but make it where at least it won't be uncomfortable when you bump into this person (or worse yet, if someone asks them for a recommendation on your work). Something along the lines of "I look forward to seeing you at Free Chicken Days in the coming months!" works nicely. 

A couple of important notes: don't be tempted to skip writing a resignation letter because you've told your boss you're resigning. You need a formal resignation in writing on file with the company, and a copy for your files just in case.

Also, a resignation letter is not the place say why you're really leaving, like "the constant grease fires are a threat to my safety, the onion-ring tainted humidity in the kitchen wreaks havoc on my skin, and frankly, assistant-manager Barty is a little grabby." Save that for your human resources exit interview, and if they ask you to put it in writing you can consider doing that in a separate communication. Actually, don't. 

{Interested in other writing tips? Click here.}

Dear Sir: I regret to inform you of my decision to resign from writing this blog post effective immediately. If pressed for a reason, I would simply say I am starving, and am leaving now for a bite of lunch. Regards,

Source: via Pinterest

A New Edition of Amy Mac's Wonderful World of Writing Well!

Earlier this week I conducted  a seminar on writing for professionals whose main work focus is NOT writing. Because as we all know, excellent communication skills are imperative in business and in life. These folks are geniuses at their core competency, and didn't need a huge, long, boring writing class ... they just needed to sharpen their writing skills with a few easy strategies. **Interested in doing this seminar at your office? Send me a note!**


One topic we covered was the importance of proofreading your writing. Why? A well-written piece free of typos gains the trust and respect of your audience by showing you are careful with the details, not just the big picture. On the other side of the coin, any communication with a typo or spelling/grammatical error makes the audience wonder “what else are they missing?”


Now, before I get a stack of emails saying "I found the following typos on your blog, and now I can't even trust you long enough to delete you from my bookmarks," let me throw out a caveat: though I consider myself a better-than-average proofreader, I can assure you lots of typos and/or grammatical missteps have squeaked through onto this blog. And will continue to do so. Mostly because in an attempt to get lots of pieces of writing out the door each week, I have blinded myself proofing other pieces and can no longer see the computer screen when it comes time to proof the blog. Also, I may not always follow my rules for proofreading:


Printing is preferable when it comes to proofreading -- (love me some alliteration) A forest of trees is weeping somewhere right now, but if you want to be sure you're catching all the typos, you MUST print out a copy of your document. It's too hard to catch mistakes on a computer screen. Also, you'll need a hard copy for rule #2.


Do a line-by-line read with a ruler. You heard me. Find yourself a straight-edge something, and put it directly under the line you are reading. You'll be surprised by what you catch when you are forced to focus on just a few words at a time.


Read backwards. On that line-by-line, start at the bottom of the document. It keeps your brain from skipping over parts you've written and read recently.


On that note, set your piece aside for at least a half-hour before you do a final proof. I tell my kids a little distance from something upsetting gives you perspective. This bon-mot is effective for writing, too. 


Find a friend. Have someone with a working knowledge of punctuation, grammar and spelling read behind you. A fresh set of eyes does wonders. 


Read aloud. Yeah, friends and neighbors will think you're nuts, but you're totally good with that because your writing is better than theirs. Why? Because reading aloud catches all kinds of grammar and cadence issues. I encourage you to occasionally sing aloud, as this encourages your neighbors to pick up their dog poop out of your yard rather than tangle with the crazy lady who sing-proofs her letter to the president of the PTA.


Now you're a proofreading wizard, a genius writer, and your neighbors no longer allow Spot to utilize your lawn as a fertilizing experiment. 


All in one blog post. Aren't we feeling accomplished?
XO-





PS -- Can you find the typos from The Today Show and the NBC Atlanta affiliate?

When to Use Acronyms on Resumes and in Business Writings

I'm often asked when it's okay to use acronyms when writing business letters, websites, in presentations, and on resumes and the like. The quick answer: almost never on the first reference.


Acronyms (a new word formed with the first letter of a group of words) are wonderful for communicating with a specific group you know is familiar with the acronym. It's when you're reaching a broader audience and you assume they know an acronym that you'll fail to connect with your audience ... or worse, lose the reader altogether because combining all those bold, capital letters that mean nothing to them have given them a seizure. I'm telling you, acronyms are bad for your health unless used with utmost caution. Ask your doctor. 


Here's the cure: unless you can procure an accurate answer from six people of different ages, genders, and regions of the United States, you must spell out your acronym on first reference. No exceptions. Directly after the first reference, put the acronym in parentheses and use it for the remainder of the document. Here's an example from a news release I wrote a couple of years ago:

Women In Technology (WIT), is pleased to announce WIT’s executive director, Heather Rocker, has been named the winner in the Inspiritor Category for Turknett Leadership Group’s Leadership Character awards. The winners were announced at the awards luncheon at the Georgia Aquarium on February 23, 2010.

Notice how it's all spelled out the first reference, then a few words later we transition to the much shorter acronym. Saves a lot of time and paper, that's for sure. 


There are certain acronyms that defy this rule. For example, if you were to write "a producer from  the Cable News Network (CNN) will be attending the seminar to answer questions" people will think you're nuts. CNN falls under the "ask six people" rule.


On professional documents like resumes and bios, spell out the acronyms for associations  ---always. I always get arguments on this rule. "But everyone knows what SHRM/CRM/PRSA is." Assume they don't, and spell out Society for Human Resource Management, Customer Relationship Management, and Public Relations Society of America the first time. You only need the acronym in parenthesis if you reference the organization more than once, and since you're all about being brief in a resume/bio/website (you are, right?), try combining tasks and roles under one reference instead.


Now I am feeling guilty about dumping all this on you right before the weekend. I really meant to do this much earlier in the week, but the spouse travelling in Europe, wrestling puppies and shuttling kids to the ER will totally throw ya off track. So if you decide to update resumes and documents and websites and whatnot because you are addicted to acronyms, please enjoy a glass of wine or something (click here for a delightful mixed drink recipe) while you do. 


Here's to a happy, productive, relaxing weekend!



PS: Are we BFFs on Facebook? Join the fun here.

Going Which Hunting

In this episode of Amy Mac’s Wonderful World of Writing Well we are focusing on when to use the word that and when to use the word which. 

Painful, I know, but the goal here is to build our writing repertoire so our correspondence is as professional and smart as all you Amy Mac readers. The easiest way to remember the difference:

THAT is a specific, restrictive pronoun

We are taking that car to the movies.

WHICH is non-specific, non-restrictive pronoun

The car, which is parked on the street, is the one to take to the movies.

If you’re like me, you’re thinking “AWKWARD!” The sentence with “which” sounds weird, no? This is why The Elements of Style encourages us to go which-hunting, saying “careful writers, watchful for small conveniences, go which-hunting, remove the defining whiches, and by doing so improve their work.”

So the next time you’re writing a letter, a proposal or presentation, do a search for whiches and rework the sentences.

I so wish it was Halloween time right now, as this would be a perfect post. Tons of Salem references running through my head right now.

Xo-Amy Mac

Reference Materials Every Writer Needs

There are a few reference books every writer - from a student to a professional - should keep on their desk. Mine were outdated, old, and in some cases not user friendly (my dictionary/thesaurus combo is in a font so tiny I developed a serious eye twitch during each and every deadline.)

Earlier this week I took advantage of the very unfortunate closing of my local Borders book store and snatched up a new Webster's Dictionary, Roget's Thesaurus and AP Stylebook at a significant discount. Yay, me (well, sorta. I am very distressed the Borders is closing. So, boo.)

If you don't have a dictionary and thesaurus circa 2010 minimum, it's time to replace. While you don't need an AP Stylebook unless you are writing for a newspaper or writing news releases, do grab a copy of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. It will answer all those little grammar, punctuation and writing questions you have when you're writing and do not want to sound daft (I love using words I learned from Harry Potter.)

So, while you're zipping around this weekend, pop into the bookstore and grab these reference materials. You'll feel like a total smarty pants, in a good kinda way.

Happy weekend! XoXo-Amy Mac

That's That

In this edition of Amy Mac’s Wonderful World of Writing Well, let’s cover an easy way to trim unnecessary fat from your writing.

Amy Mac’s Wonderful World of Writing Well Rule # 3:

Eliminate the word “that” wherever possible.

When I’m editing a document, one of the first things I do is eliminate the word “that” wherever possible. How do you know if you need the word that (or not)? Try reading the sentence without the "that.” If it makes sense without, drop it.

An example:

The teacher was making sure that the students understood that it was against the rules to talk during the assembly.

Now, try again leaving out the “thats.”

The teacher was making sure the students understood it was against the rules to talk during the assembly.

The meaning doesn’t change when we eliminate “that,” so we’ll leave it out.

Don’t you just love it when you trim a little fat without increasing your cardio? Me, too.

Word to Your Mother

It's a busy time of year. Time is at a premium. Let's get right to it:

Amy Mac's Wonderful World of Writing Well Rule # 2:

Don't use big, fancy words when simple, plain words will do.

When writing, aim for a sixth grade reading level. Even if you are writing for a well-educated audience, stick with small, plain words. Why?

Readers trip over long words, even when they know the definition. Bigger isn’t always better, and using a protracted word often breaks up the flow of writing.

See, didn’t you think “Protracted? Seriously?”

The sentence works just as well with “lengthy.” Don’t give your reader an excuse to stop reading by using a hefty word in a (transparent) display of your vocabulary chops.

William Strunk Jr. & E.B White, in their famous writing style manual Elements of Style, say it best:

“Avoid the elaborate, the pretentious, the coy, and the cute. Do not be tempted by a twenty-dollar word when there is a ten-center handy, ready and able.”

And that, my friends, is the last declaration, utterance, remark.

Or word.

PS - Ten points to anyone who can identify where "Word to Your Mother" comes from.

Exclaim More. Point Less.

As of today, I’ll be running a regular feature on the Amy Mac blog which aims at improving basic writing skills around the world. Heck, let’s go big and say around the solar system. If we are attacked by Martians, we’ll find it helpful if their “take us to your leader” note is well-written and succinct.

Let’s start with the exclamation point, a woefully overused punctuation mark. I blame email for the overuse of the exclamation point. It is difficult to convey emotion and intention in this brief and slightly informal method of communication, so we lean heavily on the exclamation point to show we’re happy, excited, frustrated, or to ease the tone of a negative message.

Unfortunately, this practice has trickled into other communications platforms including web sites, annual reports, marketing collateral and letters which deserve more gravity than 15 exclamation marks can possibly provide.

Amy Mac’s Wonderful World of Writing Well Rule #1:

A little less exclamation -- a few more action words, please.

In other words: convey your emotion with a descriptive action word (or two) and put a period at the end of the sentence.

Imagine you are writing a letter to a potential customer to extol the virtues of your business over a competitor's. If you write:

“We are the best dog biscuit bakers in town, and we know you’ll agree!”

you sound a bit like an already peppy cheerleader who combined a Red Bull and three shots of espresso in her coffee to ill effect.

On the other hand, if you write:

“Doggone Good Biscuit Bakers bakes our dog treats daily, fetching the freshest ingredients available to ensure a scrumptious snack for man’s best friend. Our roster of satisfied, loyal customers (human and canine) will assure you we are the best dog biscuitbakers in town.”

Not an exclamation point in sight, but a much more convincing pitch.

I’m not suggesting you eliminate exclamation points from your writing completely – but remember, they have a place … and it isn’t at the end of every single sentence. Use them sparingly and you’ll find your communications are taken more seriously.

Now, who can point out the reference to Elvis Presley in this post? C’mon, put on your thinking caps …. I know you can do it! (see, that's the only exclamation point in this whole post, and you didn't mind at all, did you?)

Don't forget to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to www.amazon.com