​What does “show versus tell” mean? For new writers, this can be a confusing phrase. First, let me state: it’s okay to tell. But in my opinion, showing is more appropriate in many instances, especially if you want the reader to notice something in particular.

How many times have you finished writing a chapter or a scene and are unsure of its importance? Or better yet, maybe it’s a critical scene, but it lacks the tension you were hoping for. Can you save your scene?
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Before completely deleting the scene, which I never suggest doing (if I remove a scene, I save it in a different document), brainstorm different ways that can make it matter to the plot or to introduce conflict if it’s boring. In the end, if the scene falls flat, then maybe it’s best to remove it. But before you make the final decision, try these three tips to save your scene.

Have you ever been told that your main character comes across as rude, not relatable, or emotionless? This problem can be a common pitfall for new writers. If you’ve finished writing a book, then congratulations! If you’re in the middle of writing a book, then don’t stop now. But if you want to figure out how to make your protagonist more relatable, then keep reading.
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​As a small business owner, when you hear SEO, you might silently roll your eyes. The thought of attempting to optimize your website to gain more "organic traffic" can be overwhelming. What does organic traffic mean? Reliablesoft.net defines it as the term used to describe visits to a website coming from a search engine's organic results and not [from] paid ads.

The basics of applying SEO to your website isn't hard, but it is time-consuming. When referring to SEO in this blog post, I won't touch on all the different avenues, but instead, I'll focus on four simple strategies that you can utilize today to increase organic traffic. 

Business headshots. What’s important about them, and why do you need one? Headshots are useful for a variety of reasons. Whether you own a business, have a website, or on social media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook), you need a picture of yourself. Not just that, but what if you’re asked to be a guest on a podcast, decide to write a book or start a blog, or simply want business cards with your face on them?

There are many reasons why having a headshot becomes necessary. 

​3 simple tips for writing a press release. 

Most recently, I wrote a press release for a client, which got me thinking: How many people could benefit from knowing how to write a press release? Most people probably have no idea of where to start, let alone where to send it.

Writing a bio for yourself can be difficult. The initial request may sound simple, but when you sit down to type, you might be paralyzed and unsure of where to start. How do you know if too much information is too much? How long should a bio be? Should “bachelor’s degree” be capitalized? (Hint: No, it shouldn’t be capitalized.)

​To help aid you with creating a bio, here are a few tips.

​I’ve used the free version of Grammarly for years, but I didn't upgrade to Grammarly Premium until recently. In short, the premium version is completely worth it—if you plan to use Grammarly regularly. Which means for me, it’s invaluable. Is it always correct? No. But the editing tool is my “second opinion” for polished material. And here’s why.

Proofreading is the act of reviewing the final draft for mistakes (also called copy editing). Plain and simple. This means if you’ve been asked to proofread material for work or for a friend, the content you’re reviewing has already been thoroughly edited. All you need to search for are misspelled words, missing punctuation, and formatting inconsistencies (indents, margins, etc.). 

So, what if your boss asks you, “Can you proofread this newsletter before it’s sent out?” What does he mean? Or what should he mean? In most cases, everyone’s definition of proofreading is similar, but there are varying opinions out there. Rest assured, proofreading is less involved than true editing. Usually, whatever you’re proofreading is the last and final draft.

Okay, so I can't remove your fear of creating a website, but I can recommend Weebly as an easy-to-navigate website builder for small businesses. Other website builders are listed at the end of this post. 

Have you started creating your website? If not, why? 

​Lately, I've come across three entrepreneurs who have stalled at the creation of their website. Whether it be from fear or lack of knowledge, they're potentially losing customers and clients by not having a website. I understand the hesitancy, because I've been there before when I created my first site 10 years ago. But don't let that fear hold you back.