Fireside Sessions Arrive in Hampton Roads

This fall the sessions will take place at The Corner Gallery in the North Colley section of Norfolk, Virginia. This woman-owned small business is the perfect spot for our casual, 100% analog, creative workshops.

Get Nitty Gritty

There are only two Fireside Sessions left and I highly encourage you to sign up for one of these sessions as soon as possible. There are very limited seats available and as the first two have sold out, we anticipate the next two will as well, likely within the next two weeks. Next up is 03: The Nitty Gritty of Writing for the Web.

Rachel BurnsFebruary 28, 2017fireside sessions, writing for the web, workshops, training, marketing training, marketing, writing, professional writing, writing classes, small business classes, hampton roads, richmond, entrepreneur

Take Your Seat Around the Fire in 2017

For me, 2017 isn't about work/life balance, but rather - making the most out of all of my time, however I happen to be spending it.

Rachel BurnsJanuary 4, 2017fireside sessions, workshops, small business, training, richmond, campfire and co, the content chop shop, continuing education, small business training, marketing, advertising, branding, writing for the web, public relations, social media

Make the Most of Your Content

When you create content, you want to get the most out of it.
You don't just write a blog then let it sit on your site, hoping someone will happen upon it and read it.

Content Marketing, Writing for the WebRachel BurnsApril 9, 2015content scheduling, content calendar, editorial calendar, content marketing, professional writing, content, copy, copywriting, writing for the web, web content, the content chop shop, business services, writing services

How to Create a Recognizable Brand Voice

That's a pretty good reason to carefully consider your brand. Because unless you're Wal-Mart or Amazon or can somehow guarantee the lowest price, you're going to need to give people a reason to choose you over everyone else.

Content MarketingRachel BurnsFebruary 11, 2015brand, branding, brand voice, copywriting, writing, writing for the web, business writing, business services, content marketing, marketing, advertising, logos, voice, the content chop shop

The Importance of Editorial Calendars

If newspapers are a dying breed (and we're not saying they are), then there is at least one lesson we should take away from them before they are extinct (which we hope they never become) - the editorial calendar.

Writing for the Web, Content MarketingRachel BurnsOctober 1, 2014editorial calendar, professional writing, writing for the web, content, copy, copywriting, the content chop sho, the content chop shop, web copy, web content

Content's Role in the User Experience

Determining how technology communicates with people falls into the broad categories of User Experience and User Interaction. (UX and UI, respectively). User Experience requires looking at myriad aspects of both the human and technology factors. See below:

Writing for the WebRachel BurnsAugust 31, 2014user experience, ux, interaction design, interaction copy, writing for the web, digital content, UI copy, UI contnet, UX content, copywriting, the content chop shop, professional writing, technical writing, website content, website copy

Designers and Developers, Listen Up

How many times have you gotten to 90% on a project then spent days, weeks or even months waiting on the last 10% from your client? And how many times has that last 10% that you've been waiting on been content?

Content Marketing, Writing for the WebRachel BurnsAugust 15, 2014design, graphic design, developers, professional writing, web writing, writing for the web, copywriting, digital content, business services, professional services, chesapeake, richmond, hampton roads, tidewater, coastal virginia

Writing for the Web 101

Writing for the web is different than writing in any other format. People read, perceive and retain information differently on the web than they do on paper, billboards, signage and other physical places. In addition, people read different kinds of web content differently.

Writing for the Web, Content MarketingRachel BurnsAugust 1, 2014writing, tips, business tips, marketing tips, writing for the web, copywriting, web writing, content marketing, content creation, best practices, the content chop shop, professional writing, services, small business services

Writing a Better Newsletter

E-newsletters are an easy way to maintain contact with your customers or supporters. They can provide news, specials, events, contact information, and special coupons and deals for newsletter subscribers only.

Writing for the Web, Content MarketingRachel BurnsJuly 31, 2014newsletter, newsletters, email marketing, content marketing, email campaign, marketing, advertising, business services, small business, small business marketing, the content chop shop, copywriting, writing for the web, professional writing

Why You Should Be Blogging

Does your business website have a blog? If it doesn't, it should. This infographic explains why blogging is so critical to your site's search engine ranking and visibility.

Rachel BurnsMay 6, 2014blog, blogging, writing, writing services, professional writing, digital content, content marketing, writing for the web, web content, blogging for businesses, marketing

Blogs about blogs

AND OTHER THINGS

Traditional marketing talks at people.

Content marketing talks with them.