From the April 2012 issue of Ease in Writing:

Bio Style #1:

Dr. Sanchez oversees customer engagement from the enterprise and infrastructure perspectives.

Bio Style #2:

Jeannie holds our customers' hands when she's not knitting or scuba diving.

Bio Style #3:

Some combination of #1 and #2 that makes sense for your organization.

If you are drafting a bio:

Okay, the headline exaggerates. Your FAQs--the "frequently asked questions" on your website--don't have to be fabulous. But they do need to be clear, free of hype, and reflect questions that users have in real life.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind:

Include real questions: An FAQ list should not start with a softball question like, "What are the benefits of using your [fill-in-the-blank product or service]?" unless you frequently are truly asked this question.

Why did your organization begin? What was your first job in your field? What compels you to continue?

People like reading about other people. One place they do this is in the "About Us" section of your website. Your challenge is to provide information so potential customers and partners learn about your credentials, but also to strengthen your brand through language and tone.

Need a jumpstart to get through this week--or year?

Last year, I compiled a list of "write-ables" that will not take long but will improve how you write. Here it is again, back by popular demand and with a few new ideas thrown in:

Each month, Full Circle Communications sends out an e-newsletter with a tip to improve your writing. (Sign up for a free subscription here.)

Every December, we run a summary of the topics covered throughout the year. Scan the newsletter archives or go to a subject of particular interest.

"Write-able" Resolutions for 2011 (January)

Writing in Someone Else's Voice (February)

From the November issue of my newsletter, Ease in Writing:

Ever have a colleague ask you to review something he or she has written? To give useful feedback, ask--

Usability expert Jakob Nielsen points out a paradox: People read on their smart phones or other mobile devices when they are waiting, commuting, or otherwise have time to spare, yet they still expect content to be short and to the point.

Census forms, wills, coroners' inquests--these musty documents and more reveal the past.

Don't believe me?

Check out the blog I am putting together for my graduate course at George Mason entitled Historian as Detective.

For example....

The will and probate documents of Louisa Courselle, who died in 1886 in Bozeman, Montana.

She left behind a young daughter in Long Island, New York, five beloved nieces---and a thriving bordello.

From the August issue of Full Circle Communication's Ease in Writing:

In Full Circle's July Ease in Writing newsletter, I wrote about 5 common word mix-ups.

Some readers suggested some others

Home in/hone in

"Home" is to drill down to, focus on, even though most people use "hone" (which means to sharpen). So we "home in on a problem" (cliche as that sounds). Just think of a homing pigeon steadfastedly going toward its goal.

Affect/Effect (an erstwhile problem)