Showing posts with label business and copywriting samples. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business and copywriting samples. Show all posts
A note about available business writing samples
When I write for a business, the business generally owns the copy, so I'm limited in what I can post here. I was paid for my work, but it's not mine to share. Also, copywriting projects often deal with proprietary business issues and are written for targeted, often internal audiences. Posting unedited samples would violate client trust; posting substantially edited samples would water down the writing's impact and take too much of my time. The following are samples that I can share.
Business copy: Leading teams
Excerpt from a team coaching workbook for managers:
1. Teams can benefit from having more than one leader figure. Leadership can rotate by the clock, calendar or task. Rotating team leadership helps create more leaders and makes effective use of situational expertise.
2. Strong leaders don’t ensure team success. If team members are ineffective, poorly trained, uninterested or incompetent, the team will stall or fail.
3. A good reality check on whether you’ve created a truly functioning team is to ask, “Do people enjoy being on this team?” People taking on more responsibility, showing initiative, looking beyond immediate, required tasks, and considering the consequences of the actions they take together are signs that being part of the team is a positive and important experience.
4. People who feel good about their teams and team members find new opportunities and challenges to work on together. Such people are convinced of the advantages – the synergy- of working as a team. They look for additional common goals and projects because they already share common objectives, values and mutually supportive relationships.
5. Team coaches and leaders must progressively hand greater responsibility to the team members themselves. Discourage dependence on a single leader figure. True teamwork needs all members to participate fully and rise to challenges. Having one person cling to most of the responsibility is counterproductive. Team members must understand that their responsibilities and opportunities will expand as they grow and develop, and that growth is encouraged and expected.
1. Teams can benefit from having more than one leader figure. Leadership can rotate by the clock, calendar or task. Rotating team leadership helps create more leaders and makes effective use of situational expertise.
2. Strong leaders don’t ensure team success. If team members are ineffective, poorly trained, uninterested or incompetent, the team will stall or fail.
3. A good reality check on whether you’ve created a truly functioning team is to ask, “Do people enjoy being on this team?” People taking on more responsibility, showing initiative, looking beyond immediate, required tasks, and considering the consequences of the actions they take together are signs that being part of the team is a positive and important experience.
4. People who feel good about their teams and team members find new opportunities and challenges to work on together. Such people are convinced of the advantages – the synergy- of working as a team. They look for additional common goals and projects because they already share common objectives, values and mutually supportive relationships.
5. Team coaches and leaders must progressively hand greater responsibility to the team members themselves. Discourage dependence on a single leader figure. True teamwork needs all members to participate fully and rise to challenges. Having one person cling to most of the responsibility is counterproductive. Team members must understand that their responsibilities and opportunities will expand as they grow and develop, and that growth is encouraged and expected.
Business copy: Introduction of new management tool
From a communication to managers about a new performance measurement tool:
A New Tool To Help Your Teams Keep Score -- and Win
My son's in the fifth grade and plays basketball in a town youth league. He started playing last year, and he's a lot better this year than last. Part of the reason is practice and experience. But there’s more to it than that.
Last year, the boys’ teams played for fun. They ran up and down the court passing, shooting, rebounding, fouling out and occasionally sinking the ball. But they didn’t keep score. At the end of the game, you’d hear boys ask their parents, “Who do you think won?” Parents usually answered with some variation of “it doesn’t matter.” We’d leave the gym hoping that the loose collection of gangly boys had at least enjoyed themselves and maybe picked up some pointers to improve their individual games.
This year it’s different. They keep score. The loose collection of gangly boys is morphing into a well-oiled machine. They're becoming a synchronous unit of moving parts with specific roles and functions. They know what a win is, and they know what part each boy plays in making it happen. Last year they were a group of kids out on a court at the same time. This year they're a team with a common purpose. They leverage the skills they've got between them and focus on putting that ball through the hoop. Whether it’s Adam or Jay or Nick who ultimately sinks the shot, they shout “nice going” to each other and spread high-fives and backslaps all the way around.
One critical difference between a group and a team is that a team knows exactly what a win is. Whether it’s putting a climber on the summit of Everest, an astronaut on the moon, or an injured employee back to work, the team knows what constitutes success. Every member has a rock solid understanding of what the target is and what it takes to hit it. We’ll be refocusing on teamwork basics in the coming year. And nothing is more basic, nor more important, than keeping score. Are the teams you lead and influence winning or losing? Do you and they know why or why not?
You’ll soon see a tool, the 5 Critical Success Factors Scorecard, that will help your teams keep score. The Scorecard will focus your teams and clients on exactly what constitutes a win.
The 5 Critical Success Factors Scoreboard will gather and display the following information:
A New Tool To Help Your Teams Keep Score -- and Win
My son's in the fifth grade and plays basketball in a town youth league. He started playing last year, and he's a lot better this year than last. Part of the reason is practice and experience. But there’s more to it than that.
Last year, the boys’ teams played for fun. They ran up and down the court passing, shooting, rebounding, fouling out and occasionally sinking the ball. But they didn’t keep score. At the end of the game, you’d hear boys ask their parents, “Who do you think won?” Parents usually answered with some variation of “it doesn’t matter.” We’d leave the gym hoping that the loose collection of gangly boys had at least enjoyed themselves and maybe picked up some pointers to improve their individual games.
This year it’s different. They keep score. The loose collection of gangly boys is morphing into a well-oiled machine. They're becoming a synchronous unit of moving parts with specific roles and functions. They know what a win is, and they know what part each boy plays in making it happen. Last year they were a group of kids out on a court at the same time. This year they're a team with a common purpose. They leverage the skills they've got between them and focus on putting that ball through the hoop. Whether it’s Adam or Jay or Nick who ultimately sinks the shot, they shout “nice going” to each other and spread high-fives and backslaps all the way around.
One critical difference between a group and a team is that a team knows exactly what a win is. Whether it’s putting a climber on the summit of Everest, an astronaut on the moon, or an injured employee back to work, the team knows what constitutes success. Every member has a rock solid understanding of what the target is and what it takes to hit it. We’ll be refocusing on teamwork basics in the coming year. And nothing is more basic, nor more important, than keeping score. Are the teams you lead and influence winning or losing? Do you and they know why or why not?
You’ll soon see a tool, the 5 Critical Success Factors Scorecard, that will help your teams keep score. The Scorecard will focus your teams and clients on exactly what constitutes a win.
The 5 Critical Success Factors Scoreboard will gather and display the following information:
Press release
After my book was published I wrote this press release to create market awareness and establish myself as a travel expert. In addition to book sales, this single release yielded three radio appearances, interviews and book excerpts published in newspapers nationwide, a month-long run as the featured author on a website and forum for baby boomer women, and numerous public appearances, lectures, book readings and travel slide shows.
Travel America! Take a US Road Trip This Summer
More Americans than ever will spend their summer vacations in the US, and many will travel by road. Lori Hein, travel expert and author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America, offers inspiration and travel planning tips.
Boston, MA (PRWEB) February 28, 2004 ---This summer, more Americans than ever will spend their vacations traveling in the US. Surveys by the American Automobile Association confirm that since 9/11 more people are choosing domestic vacation travel. And more of us are traveling by road. Recent surveys show that both trends will continue.
Turning dreams of an American road trip into reality takes time and planning, but the rewards are as limitless as the country itself. Lori Hein, author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America, traveled 12,000 miles of American back roads and byways with her two young children. Hein says that anyone -- solo travelers, moms with kids, families, seniors -- can plan and enjoy a road trip into America. "America is a rich tapestry of places to discover and savor," she says. "When you get off the interstate and travel the country's small roads, through its downtowns and open spaces, when you stop awhile at its fishing docks and ports, its churches and diners, its parks and ballfields, you experience first-hand the country's majesty and humanity."
Hein, a freelance writer, newspaper correspondent and marathoner, is a travel expert, having visited over 50 countries, often solo, often with children in tow. While Ribbons of Highway is a travel narrative, a family story and a fresh look into the heart of America, it’s also a blueprint for planning a trip of your own.
Some tips for planning a great summer road trip? "Preparation and attitude are key," says Hein. "Start your planning early. Study maps, scour brochures, make lists of places you must see and places you'd like to see. Choose routes and calculate time and distance between planned stops. You may have to rework your itinerary several times before all the pieces fit. (Save the pieces that don't fit for your next trip.)"
Says Hein, "Clear your mind. Jump into your trip with an open, positive attitude so you can accept and enjoy whatever the trip presents. When you hit bumps in the road, literal or otherwise, relax, take a deep breath, and manage the hurdle. Then continue your journey. There's so much to see."
Asked what impressed her and her children most on their cross-country odyssey, Hein said, "The country's vastness and the freedom we have to travel through it. Each morning, we'd set out on that day's 300 miles of small, beautiful roads, and we'd look up other roads, knowing there were 300 different miles to be had by traveling any one of them. And we were free to do so. There were no border stops, no papers to check, no questions to answer, just an overwhelming sense of freedom."
Read excerpts from Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America at http://www.lorihein.com/ . The book is available at http://www.booklocker.com/ or major online booksellers such as Amazon. Contact the author at LHein10257@aol.com or 508-230-3766. And get out there!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lori Hein
LHein10257@aol.com
http://www.lorihein.com/
ph: 508-230-3766
Travel America! Take a US Road Trip This Summer
More Americans than ever will spend their summer vacations in the US, and many will travel by road. Lori Hein, travel expert and author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America, offers inspiration and travel planning tips.
Boston, MA (PRWEB) February 28, 2004 ---This summer, more Americans than ever will spend their vacations traveling in the US. Surveys by the American Automobile Association confirm that since 9/11 more people are choosing domestic vacation travel. And more of us are traveling by road. Recent surveys show that both trends will continue.
Turning dreams of an American road trip into reality takes time and planning, but the rewards are as limitless as the country itself. Lori Hein, author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America, traveled 12,000 miles of American back roads and byways with her two young children. Hein says that anyone -- solo travelers, moms with kids, families, seniors -- can plan and enjoy a road trip into America. "America is a rich tapestry of places to discover and savor," she says. "When you get off the interstate and travel the country's small roads, through its downtowns and open spaces, when you stop awhile at its fishing docks and ports, its churches and diners, its parks and ballfields, you experience first-hand the country's majesty and humanity."
Hein, a freelance writer, newspaper correspondent and marathoner, is a travel expert, having visited over 50 countries, often solo, often with children in tow. While Ribbons of Highway is a travel narrative, a family story and a fresh look into the heart of America, it’s also a blueprint for planning a trip of your own.
Some tips for planning a great summer road trip? "Preparation and attitude are key," says Hein. "Start your planning early. Study maps, scour brochures, make lists of places you must see and places you'd like to see. Choose routes and calculate time and distance between planned stops. You may have to rework your itinerary several times before all the pieces fit. (Save the pieces that don't fit for your next trip.)"
Says Hein, "Clear your mind. Jump into your trip with an open, positive attitude so you can accept and enjoy whatever the trip presents. When you hit bumps in the road, literal or otherwise, relax, take a deep breath, and manage the hurdle. Then continue your journey. There's so much to see."
Asked what impressed her and her children most on their cross-country odyssey, Hein said, "The country's vastness and the freedom we have to travel through it. Each morning, we'd set out on that day's 300 miles of small, beautiful roads, and we'd look up other roads, knowing there were 300 different miles to be had by traveling any one of them. And we were free to do so. There were no border stops, no papers to check, no questions to answer, just an overwhelming sense of freedom."
Read excerpts from Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America at http://www.lorihein.com/ . The book is available at http://www.booklocker.com/ or major online booksellers such as Amazon. Contact the author at LHein10257@aol.com or 508-230-3766. And get out there!
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Lori Hein
LHein10257@aol.com
http://www.lorihein.com/
ph: 508-230-3766
Press release
This press release was written to promote a basketball tournament used as a high school fundraiser. Result: 20 participating teams from four towns, many spectators, $600 raised, tournament adopted as an annual event.
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament -- 7th grade to adult -- Play some hoop this Thanksgiving break! Saturday, November 29, 2008, 3PM start, at Oliver Ames High School. Sponsored by OA's Class of 2010. Entry fee just $20 per team, spectators $2. Teams can have 4 members (3 players and one sub), and players' ages can vary. Tourney will be a one-game elimination, NCAA-style bracket. CASH PRIZE to winning team, amount determined by number of teams entered. Teens, families, adults, college kids home for the holiday -- get a roster together! Entries MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 21. Printable form at www.teacherweb.com/ma/oa/mrauger/photo2.stm . Send your $20 check payable to "OA Class of 2010" along with player and team names to Mr. Matt Auger, OAHS, 100 Lothrop St., N. Easton, MA 02356, or give form to a class officer (Alex Capobianco, Dana Belanger, Alex Kimball, Marci Costa, Dave Peretti). Questions? Email Mr. Auger at mauger@easton.k12.ma.us or call 508-230-3766. Brackets available from Mr. Auger after registration is complete.
Spread the word, join the fun, and support the great kids of the Class of 2010.
3-on-3 Basketball Tournament -- 7th grade to adult -- Play some hoop this Thanksgiving break! Saturday, November 29, 2008, 3PM start, at Oliver Ames High School. Sponsored by OA's Class of 2010. Entry fee just $20 per team, spectators $2. Teams can have 4 members (3 players and one sub), and players' ages can vary. Tourney will be a one-game elimination, NCAA-style bracket. CASH PRIZE to winning team, amount determined by number of teams entered. Teens, families, adults, college kids home for the holiday -- get a roster together! Entries MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOVEMBER 21. Printable form at www.teacherweb.com/ma/oa/mrauger/photo2.stm . Send your $20 check payable to "OA Class of 2010" along with player and team names to Mr. Matt Auger, OAHS, 100 Lothrop St., N. Easton, MA 02356, or give form to a class officer (Alex Capobianco, Dana Belanger, Alex Kimball, Marci Costa, Dave Peretti). Questions? Email Mr. Auger at mauger@easton.k12.ma.us or call 508-230-3766. Brackets available from Mr. Auger after registration is complete.
Spread the word, join the fun, and support the great kids of the Class of 2010.
Business copy: Leadership newsletter on motivation
Excerpt from a leadership skills white paper for business executives. Topic: motivation
At the turn of the 20th century Harvard psychologist William James did a study measuring the amount of ability and effort people expended on their jobs in order to avoid being fired. He found that employees could work about 20-30% of their total ability without getting fired for being unproductive. James also found that those same people could consistently work at 80-90% of their potential if they wanted to – if they were motivated to do so. Subsequent studies support James’s findings.
For leaders, the question is, “How can we motivate people to exert greater effort toward achieving company goals and increasing overall productivity? The answer is “We can’t.” Motivation comes from within. The word derives from the Latin root motive, meaning a force or agent that causes a person to act or move. The action, movement, effort come from the person, not the agent.
Thus, to move employees from 20-30% ability to a consistent 80-90%, leaders must create motivating environments that spur people to want to tap into and give more of their potential. When you hear or use the term ‘motivate’, remember that ultimately your employees motivate themselves. Your focus should be on creating opportunities for that motivation to surface and be put to use.
Motivation is an important key to superior productivity and increased employee effectiveness. People who are committed to achieving organizational objectives generally outperform those who aren't. Increasing people’s commitment and effectiveness is not optional for today’s managers and leaders. Companies and managers that don't view employee motivation as one of their most important responsibilities will find themselves overtaken by competitors who do. The most valuable employees will work for those competitors.
You'll find in-depth treatment of motivation in the Motivation Techniques Workbook you recently received, and, in the upcoming leadership training program we'll share ideas for creating a motivating environment and identify actions you can start practicing immediately in your office or work area.
Press release
This release was written to promote a nine-month-long museum exhibition and related special events. The exhibition's run was highly successful, and the workshops and events that I hosted were so well attended that additional appearances were added.
Women at Work Museum features work by Lori Hein, author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America
- ATTLEBORO, MA, December 23, 2006 - "Defining Decades," an exhibit which runs through September 2007 at the Women at Work Museum in Attleboro, Massachusetts, includes a dozen-plus displays that examine how decades and eras are defined by the actions of individuals, organizations and nations.
In the Women in Transport display, author Lori Hein takes museum visitors across America and around the world through words and pictures.
Hein, author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America, shares her published travel writing and photography through a colorful display that includes slide shows of images from around the world.
During the exhibition"s run, Hein will also present several special events and workshops at the museum. In "An Evening of American Travel," Hein reads from Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America and shares slides from the 12,000-mile, post-9/11 road trip the author took with her two children.
Hein will also present "On Writing and Getting Published," a workshop for aspiring writers.
For information, contact the Women at Work Museum at 508-222-4430.
Women at Work Museum features work by Lori Hein, author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America
- ATTLEBORO, MA, December 23, 2006 - "Defining Decades," an exhibit which runs through September 2007 at the Women at Work Museum in Attleboro, Massachusetts, includes a dozen-plus displays that examine how decades and eras are defined by the actions of individuals, organizations and nations.
In the Women in Transport display, author Lori Hein takes museum visitors across America and around the world through words and pictures.
Hein, author of Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America, shares her published travel writing and photography through a colorful display that includes slide shows of images from around the world.
During the exhibition"s run, Hein will also present several special events and workshops at the museum. In "An Evening of American Travel," Hein reads from Ribbons of Highway: A Mother-Child Journey Across America and shares slides from the 12,000-mile, post-9/11 road trip the author took with her two children.
Hein will also present "On Writing and Getting Published," a workshop for aspiring writers.
For information, contact the Women at Work Museum at 508-222-4430.
Press release
This press release was written to promote a fundraiser for an international non-profit that aids child war vicitims in northern Uganda.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Lori Hein, for Impact Relations music promotion
508-230-3766
LHein10257@aol.com; ImpactRelations@gmail.com
http://www.lorihein.com/
Boston’s Lansdowne to Headline Student-Sponsored Concert For Invisible Children, the Child Victims of War in Uganda
Boston, MA, April 6, 2009 – On May 2nd, Boston rockers Lansdowne will headline Talent 4 A Cure: Invisible Children, a show organized by student leaders from Oliver Ames, Mansfield, Sharon and Canton high schools to raise money to help rebuild the lives of Ugandan children enslaved as soldiers by Joseph Kony, brutal leader of rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
Lansdowne, who’ve played to sellout crowds in Boston and beyond and were named "one of Boston's best bands" by Mix 98.5, are known for devoting time to entertaining U.S. troops. When Lansdowne shares Easton’s Oliver Ames Performing Arts Center stage with accomplished musicians from the four schools committed to the Invisible Children cause, the band’s music will benefit soldiers of a different kind – the 30,000 child-soldiers abducted during the 23-year civil war that has ravaged northern Uganda and forced to kill for the LRA. A ceasefire tempered Kony’s atrocities, and he is on the run, but the humanitarian needs of his young victims are at crisis level. Invisible Children puts a spotlight on their plight and funds social and educational initiatives in the country. Talent 4 A Cure's student organizers hope to raise $10,000 from ticket sales and sponsorships.
Lansdowne, a socially-conscious band that devotes energy to several worthy initiatives, jumped at the invitation to help concerned students spread the Invisible Children message. Said Lansdowne drummer Glenn Mungo, "When we found out we were being offered this show, we were immediately honored and excited at the opportunity to raise awareness around such an important cause. We quickly accepted and have been brainstorming ideas ever since to really make this performance special to all in attendance. It's a great feeling to be able to use our music to help inspire a change and support this movement."
Along with Lansdowne, who’ve worked with Invisible Children in the past, Talent 4 A Cure will feature Sharon violinist Daisy Joo, a high school senior and concertmistress of the New England Conservatory's Youth Philharmonic, Northeastern University-based Goodcop Badcop, led by Mansfield guitarist Ryan Kershaw, and competing performances by artists from Oliver Ames, Sharon, Mansfield and Canton High Schools.
The show is on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 6:30 PM at the state-of-the-art performance venue at Easton’s Oliver Ames High School, 100 Lothrop Street. Only 1,200 tickets available, $15 at door, $10 in advance. Last year’s Talent 4 A Cure was a sellout.
Contacts for interviews, additional information, band photo and one-sheet:
Talent 4 A Cure: Invisible Children: Topher Kerr, Oliver Ames High School, 617-599-8170; topherkerr@comcast.net
Lansdowne: Ryan Ziemba, band manager, 646-256-4791; RyanZ@SWAPMgmt.com
Websites: www.myspace.com/lansdowne ; www.invisiblechildren.com
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Lori Hein, for Impact Relations music promotion
508-230-3766
LHein10257@aol.com; ImpactRelations@gmail.com
http://www.lorihein.com/
Boston’s Lansdowne to Headline Student-Sponsored Concert For Invisible Children, the Child Victims of War in Uganda
Boston, MA, April 6, 2009 – On May 2nd, Boston rockers Lansdowne will headline Talent 4 A Cure: Invisible Children, a show organized by student leaders from Oliver Ames, Mansfield, Sharon and Canton high schools to raise money to help rebuild the lives of Ugandan children enslaved as soldiers by Joseph Kony, brutal leader of rebel group the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
Lansdowne, who’ve played to sellout crowds in Boston and beyond and were named "one of Boston's best bands" by Mix 98.5, are known for devoting time to entertaining U.S. troops. When Lansdowne shares Easton’s Oliver Ames Performing Arts Center stage with accomplished musicians from the four schools committed to the Invisible Children cause, the band’s music will benefit soldiers of a different kind – the 30,000 child-soldiers abducted during the 23-year civil war that has ravaged northern Uganda and forced to kill for the LRA. A ceasefire tempered Kony’s atrocities, and he is on the run, but the humanitarian needs of his young victims are at crisis level. Invisible Children puts a spotlight on their plight and funds social and educational initiatives in the country. Talent 4 A Cure's student organizers hope to raise $10,000 from ticket sales and sponsorships.
Lansdowne, a socially-conscious band that devotes energy to several worthy initiatives, jumped at the invitation to help concerned students spread the Invisible Children message. Said Lansdowne drummer Glenn Mungo, "When we found out we were being offered this show, we were immediately honored and excited at the opportunity to raise awareness around such an important cause. We quickly accepted and have been brainstorming ideas ever since to really make this performance special to all in attendance. It's a great feeling to be able to use our music to help inspire a change and support this movement."
Along with Lansdowne, who’ve worked with Invisible Children in the past, Talent 4 A Cure will feature Sharon violinist Daisy Joo, a high school senior and concertmistress of the New England Conservatory's Youth Philharmonic, Northeastern University-based Goodcop Badcop, led by Mansfield guitarist Ryan Kershaw, and competing performances by artists from Oliver Ames, Sharon, Mansfield and Canton High Schools.
The show is on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 6:30 PM at the state-of-the-art performance venue at Easton’s Oliver Ames High School, 100 Lothrop Street. Only 1,200 tickets available, $15 at door, $10 in advance. Last year’s Talent 4 A Cure was a sellout.
Contacts for interviews, additional information, band photo and one-sheet:
Talent 4 A Cure: Invisible Children: Topher Kerr, Oliver Ames High School, 617-599-8170; topherkerr@comcast.net
Lansdowne: Ryan Ziemba, band manager, 646-256-4791; RyanZ@SWAPMgmt.com
Websites: www.myspace.com/lansdowne ; www.invisiblechildren.com
###
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