Writing & Resources
First, a couple of explanatory notes. A lot of product collateral which I wrote and edited over the last few years was strictly confidential and unfortunately I don't have access to copies.
In the case of much web copywriting, it has been altered and rewritten over time, so I have linked sparingly.
However, I will be adding to this over time as I edit some pieces I have circulated about general communications and marketing best practice.
Web copy
I have written web copy for a range of clients, from core network telecoms software vendors to FMCG vendors. This experience has given me the ability to adopt numerous different tones when writing copy, depending on the audience and the desired outcome (e.g. direct sales via the web or product information).
I have also managed all online contact for a number of websites, including the Ask Ireland website, which invited visitors to ask any question about Ireland.
Sites I have written copy for include
Arantech, Anam Mobile, Eircell (corporate), Ready to Go (Eircell pre-paid), ESB, Slendertone.
Editorial responsibility
As Marketing Communications manager, I have held editorial control over all marketing communications materials. I have authored and disseminated detailed corporate style guides, directing all employees in appropriate communications methods. I have also developed templates for all communications materials, both external and internal.
Product and company collateral
Product descriptions for a range of software products and all other high-level collateral (brochures etc.) for Anam Mobile and Arantech. I was responsible for all product collateral that was made available to customers and prospects prior to a Non-Disclosure Agreement being signed.
Articles / commentary
These are adapted and modified versions of internal communications documents. I will be adding more to this section as time allows!
A presentation is not a document
The differences between a presentation and a document, and why it is best to maintain a clear distinction between them.
Presentation best practice
Related to 'A presentation is not a document', this is a quick overview of some basic presentation principles which are often forgotten.
Communications tips & tricks for small firms
Simple and affordable ways to ensure brand consistency and increase visibility, online and off.
What not to put in a press release
Believe me, not everyone can be the 'leading' vendor / supplier / producer of that 'next-generation' gizmo, and most people don't even take the time to scoff at the notion anymore.
Links
Marketing publications
Marketingprofs.com
Marketing blogs
Seth Godin
Guy Kawasaki
Jeremiah Owyang
Marketing strategy
A Complete List of the Many Forms of Web Marketing for 2008
Marketing tools
iContact.com. Produce email newsletters, surveys, RSS feeds and more. Send information to subscribers quickly and easily.
Conduit.com. Create a free, unobtrusive toolbar for your customers to add to their browsers. Incorporate live chat, a search box and your logo.
Odeo.com. Podcast sharing / hosting service.
Rollyo.com. Create your own custom search engine.
Qik.com. Live streaming, from your phone.
Social media & viral marketing
Why Online Video is good for your Corporate Executives and How to Deploy
Site Logic - Social media under the microscope
How to amaze your clients with a killer viral campaign
The (Subject-to-Change) Rules of Viral Success
Visual design
Many of these are web design best practice recommendations, but are equally applicable to presentation and basic print design.
Basic principles
9 essential principles for good web design
19 things NOT to do when designing a website
The importance of whitespace
How to ruin a web design
Colour
Colour palette generator
Colour scheme generator 2
Photos
Morguefile
Free Picture
stock.xchng
Fonts
Best free fonts
9800 free fonts
Information architecture / information design
The Elements of User Experience [PDF, small], Jesse James Garrett. Vital information design diagram.
Looksgoodworkswell
iathink.com
Elegant hack blog
Adaptive path blog
Adaptive path article archive
designinginterfaces.com
welie.com - Pattern Library for Interaction Design
webdesignpractices.com
Web Interface Design process
User Interface Engineering article archive
Journal of design article archive
uxmatters.com
boxesandarrows.com
Information Architecture Institute tools
Information Architecture Institute
Online tools
Zoho Online CRM tool for small businesses (up to three users free, easy to use with lots of features
Hundred and three bees. Free web stats, ad-supported.
Hittail. Suggests topics for a site based on search terms used to locate the site.
MyBlogLog. Ads basic social networking functionality to blogs.
