Congrats, You Can Spell… But Can You Write?

Christine Buske Written by Christine Buske
on January 20th, 2007 / 9 Comments / Print this

Hello there! My name is Christine and I write (among many other things).

When I was a little girl my teacher told my mother I should never go to University, I had misspelled the word “table”. Fact is, I misspelled this word once only, and it happened in Holland when I was eleven years old. I never misspelled it again, moved to North America years later and became a writer. I’d call it ironic that I’ve done exactly everything everyone has told me I couldn’t, or shouldn’t. Thankfully I never listened to bad advice, I finished University, made writing part of my career and approached life from a different angle.

I have a point with this little tid-bit of personal history: you were likely told you couldn’t do something and proved those people wrong yourself. Perhaps you started that business people told you to forget about, or you changed careers. Whatever it is, it worked out for the better right?

People are not out to give you bad advice, but people are afraid of change, they are weary of individuals who march against the stream, who do something outrageous and wonderful. Yet, it is the outrageous who go places. Take Google for example; I’m sure the guys behind it got their fair share of disapproval.

The iPod is another great example of this concept. Having said that though, would the iPod be (almost) as widely used as TVs without great marketing? Nope… definitely not. So what does make one product stand out more than another?

Simple: Words.

I’m a writer, and that makes me biased. Nevertheless, I have seen what a good overhaul of a marketing campaign can do for a company, and how much of that relies on reworking the existing copy. Especially if your marketing budget is on a diet, you can set yourself (and your product!) apart by being verbally savvy. You could literally publish plain white brochures with a laser printer and still be successful, provided you are smart with your word-choice.

Just remember though, just because most people can spell, does not mean they can write! If you are taking on the marketing challenge alone, make sure you read up on a few copy writing techniques before you jump in.

As of today, I am the latest addition to the Small Business Branding writing team, and I am looking forward to helping you improve your marketing strategies and empower your advertising copy!

About Christine Buske

Christine Buske

Christine Buske is a freelance (copy) writer. Thanks to her background in science and economics (H.B.Sc in Biotechnology and Economics) she has gravitated towards Health, Science and Business publications, and specializes in health care and pharmaceutical branding. She has worked with small clinics and community health care providers, such as dentists, to effectively secure their position in the market.

Christine writes a business blog on her site: www.WildTyping.com.

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9 Comments to “Congrats, You Can Spell… But Can You Write?”

  • Yaro
    January 20th, 2007
    11:23 am

    Welcome to the team Christine!

    I can’t wait to see your first article.

    Cheers,

    Yaro

  • gigi
    January 20th, 2007
    1:09 pm

    your words definitely resonate with me. I’ve grown up in an environment where everyone tells me that i couldn’t/shouldn’t make marketing my career because shy and introverts are those I can relate to the most as I am an introvert. I feel really sagged and stressed because I am so afraid of ending up like they say. So thanks for your words that have moved me deep inside and I know I really have to fight back the fears and take times to rejuvenate myself. anyway, although this comment may seem a little off-topic, i just want to express my gratitude to you. .

  • Nick Rice
    January 21st, 2007
    12:24 am

    I echo Yaro’s welcome. It’s always nice to see professional writers in the blogosphere. I think writing a skill that most marketers overlook - to their detriment I might add. It’s one of those things that everyone just assumes they are proficient at. Engaging and effective copy is hard to come by.

    I’m glad you’re on board.

  • Christine
    January 21st, 2007
    12:38 am

    Thank you for the warm welcome, Yaro and Nick!
    I’m looking forward to working with you both. Nick, you are absolutely right: people generally assume what they learn in grade 1 will be sufficient to write their marketing campaign ;-)

  • Christine Buske
    January 21st, 2007
    9:27 am

    Gigi,
    Thank you for your comment! :-) You definitely have to fight those fears! People around you generally just want the best for you, but “best” is only their perception and a reflection of their own fears (likely believe they “can’t do it”, therefore “you can’t either”). Anyhow, it’s OK if it is off-topic, I’m glad you enjoyed my first article on SmallBusinessBranding.com!
    Christine

  • Danielle
    January 21st, 2007
    11:42 am

    Hi Christine,

    Welcome aboard! It’s great to have you as part of the team. I’m looking forward to hearing (reading :)) your thoughts and perspective.

    Cheers, Danielle

  • Danielle
    January 21st, 2007
    11:44 am

    Oh, I’m also looking forward to checking out DatingSOS! :D (great name)

  • Luc Arnold
    January 21st, 2007
    4:51 pm

    Good to see another new writer on SBB, christine.

    I think its the times in life when people say to you that you shouldn’t do something, cannot do something or are not cut out to do something that most people have one of two standard responses. Fight for what you want. Flee from what you want.

    Actually in the past week i had someone tell me i could never be a recruiter. I respect the opinion but i look at it like this… people will always have opinions regardless of what you may think… the rest of the choice is yours. Basically… “How bad do you want it?”

    Cheers Christine and welcome,

    Luc

  • Christine
    January 22nd, 2007
    12:52 am

    Thanks Danielle! :-)

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