Michael Blumfield

Business Communications

612-419-4405
michael@mb-bc.com

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Posts by Michael Blumfield

Michael Blumfield is a marketing communications professional who makes complexity simple for a wide range of organizations. His website is www.mb-bc.com.

Writing Tip: Don’t Go Postal On State Abbreviations

Michael Blumfield Leave a Comment

Writing Tip: Don’t Go Postal On State Abbreviations

If you already have all the postal abbreviations memorized, the two-letter postal code system may not cause any confusion. But do all your readers have those distinctions nailed down? That’s why I’d recommend going with the AP Style for state abbreviations as part of your company’s stylebook – with exceptions.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: AP Style Book, grammar, marketing communications, state abbreviations, writing, writing tips

Seven (or 7?) Tips For Starting A Sentence With A Number

Michael Blumfield Leave a Comment

Seven (or 7?) Tips For Starting A Sentence With A Number

Another consideration on why we should let go of the “words-not-numerals” rule: We use numbers a lot more these days than we did when the rules of English were created. We’re data-driven.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: grammar, Readability, use of numbers, writing, writing tips

Writing Tip: Get Over the ‘More Than’ Rule

Michael Blumfield Leave a Comment

Writing Tip: Get Over the ‘More Than’ Rule

The AP decision to abandon the distinction apparently was a concession that people weren’t following it, so it wasn’t worth trying to enforce it. “We were swimming against the tide,” one of those responsible for the switch has said.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: grammar, tone, writing, writing tips

Writing Tip: Don’t Be Haunted by the Ghosts of Repressive Teachers

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Writing Tip: Don’t Be Haunted by the Ghosts of Repressive Teachers

Now, as I try to think about weighing in on matters of grammar and writing, I try to make sure I’m not channeling Mrs. A.’s voice of “That’s not the right way of doing it.” Sometimes, the “right” way no longer makes sense, if it ever did. Other times, the old rules are solid and useful.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: childhood, grammar, writing, writing tips

Feeding The Content Beast: Getting Copy From People Who Hate To Write

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Feeding The Content Beast: Getting Copy From People Who Hate To Write

Almost all employees have to write emails as part of their jobs. Maybe a writer has shown an ability to write a strong email subject line. Build on that strength and show them how to write a good headline for a piece used on the company’s website.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: grammar, marketing communications, writing, writing tips

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Recent posts

In 2 minutes, Cubs manager shows what leadership is all about

In 2 minutes, Cubs manager shows what leadership is all about

After the Chicago Cubs won the National League pennant last October, I wrote a post on LinkedIn that … [Read More...]

Don’t count on an Oxford comma to fix bad writing

Don’t count on an Oxford comma to fix bad writing

Did you see the case in which a company lost millions for lack of a comma? And did you hear the … [Read More...]

Writing tip: Use parallel construction

Writing tip: Use parallel construction

Among its many lessons, "Sesame Street" taught young children how to categorize the world around … [Read More...]

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