======================================================
THE CORPORATE COMMUNICATOR
A free e-zine to help you produce better communications copy.

Sample Issue                 
Publisher: Donna Kozik              E-mail: Donna@DonnaKozik.com
                        (c) 2002 by Donna Kozik
======================================================

"The Corporate Communicator" is a free monthly e-zine for
clients, colleagues and other friends who want to produce
clear, concise and results-oriented communications copy. 

You've received this e-zine because you've subscribed to it.
If this issue was forwarded to you, look to the bottom of this
e-mail to get on the subscription list. There you will also
find information about unsubscribing. 

Donna's pledge: I will never sell or share my e-mail list. 

A WARM WELCOME to those who read about "The Corporate
Communicator" in Ned Lundquist's networking e-zine for
professional communicators. (Information about joining this
terrific and FREE networking opportunity can be found below.)

======================================================
======================================================
IN THIS ISSUE
Focus Your Writing By Saying "No Prego!"
Leave More Effective Voicemail Messages
Write a Better Headline
At Kozik's Keyboard: The Body Wiggle
On Donna's Bookshelf: Reading Up on Communications
Scrolling Bonus: Top 10 World Languages
======================================================
======================================================

Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the
complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.
                        Jazz musician Charles Mingus (1922-1979)                               

======================================================
FOCUS YOUR WRITING BY SAYING "NO PREGO!"
======================================================
Remember the Prego spaghetti sauce commercials with the
catchphrase "It's in there!" Not the case with good copy. Even
if you have all the information, don't try to put it all in your
article, news release or memo. Some ideas to keep your article
on track: 

Develop a personal lead. If a piece seems unfocused, at the
very top write one or two sentences describing what you want
the reader to learn and do. Whenever you're in a quandary,
return to this reminder of your mission. 

Use quotes sparingly. One or two superior quotes have a great
deal more impact than letting your sources ramble throughout
the piece.  

Don't get too attached. Ever fall in love with a sentence and
try and try to make it fit but somehow it just won't? Chances
are it doesn't belong. To paraphrase one of my college
professors: "Write it, admire it and delete it." 

Do postscript editing. Think you're all finished? Go back with
the aim of reducing your word count by at least 10 percent.
It's a wonderful habit that tightens writing and makes it pop.

======================================================
LEAVE MORE EFFECTIVE VOICEMAIL MESSAGES
======================================================
I love voicemail. Surprised? Voicemail has a bad rap, but when
used correctly it is one of the best business communication
tools around. 

The key is to leave voicemail messages so they receive the
attention they deserve. Here are some ideas to make voicemail
work better for you and your colleagues. 

1. Before you call - prepare yourself for a recording. Stop for
15 seconds and make a mental list about the information you
want to convey if you "get voicemail."    

2. Remember the vitals. When you leave a message, start with
the basics. I have a client I've worked closely with for over a
year, and I'm sure if he leaves a message tomorrow the first
thing he will say is his first and last name. It's automatic.
When you leave a message, leave your name, what you want,
when you can be reached and at what number.

3. Speak slowly, especially when conveying information you think
the recipient will be writing down. 

4. Leave your phone number twice - once in the beginning and
once at the end. Nothing is more frustrating than having to play
a voicemail over and over to catch a phone number. A technique
I've used is writing the number in the air as you say it. That
will slow down your speaking to just the right pace. 

5. When calling from a cell phone, be especially diligent and
listen for the dead air that's an indication that your message
isn't being recorded properly. When in doubt, call back from a
landline at your earliest opportunity.  

6. If you can further business by leaving a detailed message,
do it. Leave all the information required so the listener can
take the next step without having to call you back. 

======================================================
WRITE A BETTER HEADLINE
======================================================
One way to warm any editor's heart is to provide one, two or
even a half dozen headline suggestions with your piece. 

Some easy to remember headline prompts of mine include: 

Rhyme Time. If you don't have one, pick up a rhyming dictionary.
It will become your best friend when it comes to headlines. Once
in hand, pick out a few gist words or phrases from your copy and
go to work. (By the way, even my 920-page dictionary doesn't
have a rhyme for "orange.")  

Be Punny. Some think puns are the lowest rung of the humor
ladder, but I think they're a great place to start the climb.
Have a story about your company's new diaper product? 
"Rock a Dry Baby." Divorce lawyer looking for a slogan?
"Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Honey Back." Going with an
off-the-wall resume? "I used to be a fisherman, but I got
caught playing hooky." These examples and more found at
"The Pun FAQtory" at http://go.to/puns

Tap the Phrase. Whenever I'm working on a story, I key in notes
to myself at the very top, such as "Double check the spelling
of Joe's last name." If you do the same thing, tap out phrases
that might develop into good headlines. They could come from a
quote or your own literary brilliance and provide a great place
to start your search for the perfect headline.

======================================================
AT KOZIK'S KEYBOARD: THE BODY WIGGLE
======================================================
Is your body screaming with tension? Stand up and wiggle it all
out - literally. Twenty seconds of wiggling will loosen you up
and leave you smiling. (And your colleagues too!) 

======================================================
ON DONNA'S BOOKSHELF 
======================================================
Communication-related books I've devoured lately include:

"Endless Referrals" by Bob Burg
   Do you wince each time you hear the word "networking?" Burg
   gives it a whole new meaning. And I refer you to Burg's great
   (and free!) e-zine, "Winning Without Intimidation."
   Sign up at http://www.burg.com 
"Writing In Flow" by Susan K. Perry, Ph.D.
   Ever experience the writer's equivalent of a "runner's high"
   when you can just write and write and write? Perry shows you
   how to acquire and maintain that flow more consistently. 
"Talking the Winner's Way" by Leil Lowndes
   A life-changing book for me and the way I communicate. 
   Lowndes, author of "How to Talk to Anybody About Anything,"
   gives "92 little tricks for big success in business and
   personal relationships." 

I'm always looking for good books to add to the pile on my
coffee table. E-mail your suggested communications reading to
Donna@DonnaKozik.com

And, just for fun, I've scoured my shelves and have come up
with my recommended "beach novel" of the summer: 

"A Trip to the Stars" by Nicholas Christopher
   A fascinating story and rich, rich writing that will cause
   you to slow down and savor every word. (Make sure to put on
   plenty of sunscreen!) 

======================================================
YOUR TURN 
======================================================
Have a communications or marketing problem? Want to comment on
something appearing in this e-zine? Your feedback is always
welcomed and appreciated. Please let me know how you like "The
Corporate Communicator" by sending an e-mail to
Donna@DonnaKozik.com

======================================================
SCROLLING BONUS!
======================================================
From the 28 May 2002 Washington Post and Ned Lundquist, editor
of the "Job of the Week" communications networking e-letter.
(Drop an e-mail to JOTW-subscribe@topica.com if you wish to
join this network of communication professionals.) 

Top 10 languages spoken in the world today:
Chinese/Mandarin:   874 million speakers
Hindi:   366 million speakers
English:   341 million speakers
Spanish:   322 million speakers
Bengali:   207 million speakers
Arabic:   201 million speakers 
Portuguese:   176 million speakers
Russian:   167 million speakers
Japanese:   125 million speakers
German:   100 million speakers  

======================================================
FOR MORE INFO --  
======================================================
-- about my writing, editing or consulting services, contact me
by phone at 619/297-1749 (Pacific Time Zone), e-mail
Donna@DonnaKozik.com or visit http://www.DonnaKozik.com

======================================================
PLEASE FORWARD THIS ISSUE
======================================================
-- to two of your colleagues. I thank you -- and so will they!  

"The Corporate Communicator" is copyright 2002 by Donna Kozik.
All rights reserved. Subscribers are welcome to circulate this
e-zine in its ENTIRETY for nonprofit use only. Please ensure
proper credit is given in all instances.  

For details about reprinting any articles or information
published here, contact Donna@DonnaKozik.com

To subscribe to this list, send an e-mail message to:
CorporateCommunicator-ON@lists.webvalence.com.

To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to:
CorporateCommunicator-OFF@lists.webvalence.com

If you have difficulties obtaining or ending a subscription,
please e-mail a description of your problem directly to
Donna@DonnaKozik.com

Donna Kozik
(619) 297-1749
Donna@DonnaKozik.com