Dot's Giggle Spot #8

I don't know where Dot gets her material, really I don't. Almost every church around the place seems to have a sign like this. You know the ones, they are updated periodically with messages about church functions, quotes from the bible, etc. etc.

The following exemplifies the power of writing succinctly:

[source]

I dont know about you, but I can hear the tone of voice that goes with this message instantly.

Another great giggle, thanks Dot!

Jen x

BUG BITS - Modern Little Munchkins

Newsletters! Newsletters! Newsletters!

Confession One: I don't have enough time in the day to swing past all of my favourite websites and blogs, even though I'd dearly love to. It makes me sad, but until an extra 3 hours are added to the usual 24 each day it is something I just have to live with.

For me, the next best thing is for my favourite sites to email a newsletter that lets me know what I'm missing out on. If I suddenly turn a sickly shade of green from envy I click immediately on the website link. (I'm the baby of the family - I hate missing out on anything!) Even if I don't turn green, I'm still happy to be kept in the loop during my website absence. Reading newsletters is easy!

Confession Two: The Letterbug also loves writing newsletters. Short, punchy prose that gets straight to the point, what's not to like?

This week was no exception, as I completed the first newsletter for gorgeous Louisa at Modern Little Munchkins. With winter at our doorstep, the brief was to showcase winter fashion from new labels at Modern Little Munchkins, and write up Louisa's two feature products for the April newsletter.

Here's a snippet:

To find out more about Modern Little Munchkins and their hip and wonderful range of organic and eco-friendly products for kids, click here.

Newsletters - a valuable element to consider in your marketing strategy.

To enquire about The Letterbug's newsletter service (or any other copywriting service), email hello (at) theletterbug (dot) com (dot) au.

Jen x

BUG BITS - Little Bird Decor

A recent Letterbug highlight for me was meeting and working with Maryanne Priestley of Little Bird Decor. My brief was to write a introductory press release for Little Bird Decor, and the theme was "A million smiling faces".

With such beautiful wall art on offer, Little Bird Decor will be the source of far more than a million smiles. Is there such a thing as a cazillion?? Here is a taster of Maryanne's press release:

For more information about these tip top quality Australian designed, Australian made decals from Little Bird Decor, click here. They are so cute!

This press release is a good example of how an interesting angle can make promoting your business so much easier and way more fun! Taking the time to look beyond the obvious when working on your PR campaign can really pay off. A unique angle makes your efforts all the more memorable. And that's what we're after, right?

Jen x

Dot's Giggle Spot #7

Happy Easter everyone!

Jen x

5 Questions @ The Letterbug: Amelia Singh - Bambooty

I recently hurled a series of questions straight at Amelia Singh, the smiling face behind Bambooty. My arm was strong and my aim was straight - it was all in the name of:

5 Questions @ The Letterbug - (it's back, hooray!)

In traditional style, my questions were tough. These were hard hitting, thought provoking, tricky-dicky questions. Amelia stepped up to the plate with confidence, and I am pleased to say she batted every question out of the park.

Here is what happened:

1. What is your favourite: dark, white or milk chocolate?

Dark chocolate is an essential ingredient of any balanced diet, no?

2. What are you and the family doing this Easter break?

Spending it with extended family from all over the globe who are in town for my sister's wedding. It's going to be one of my best ever.

3. What have you learnt from your children that helps you with Bambooty?

There are more important things than nappies and try to remain calm at all times.

4. What advice would you offer an aspiring business owner based on your experience of establishing Bambooty?

Everything takes longer than you expect and often costs more than you expect too.

5. At Easter time, do you:
a. Eat every morsel of chocolate before sundown on Easter Sunday?
b. Hoard your easter eggs and then flaunt them weeks after everyone else finished theirs?
c. Neither, instead I…

I pick C. Instead I have my daily dose of dark chocolate before breakfast, sharing it with my 2 girls :)

A big thank you to Amelia for taking some precious time out from her Bambootying to participate in this frivolity.

To learn more about Bambooty and the revolutionary world of modern cloth nappies, click here. It is possibly one of the cutest ways you can help save our planet!

Jen x

BUG BITS - Victorian Touch Football Association

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

The Letterbug recently metamorphosed into a "Sports Reporter" when I completed a project for Touch Football Victoria. I wrote an article about their upcoming appearance at the National Touch League competition - a major event in Australia's Touch Football calendar.

With next to no knowledge of the game, I was fortunate to be guided by Touch Football Victoria's Regional Manager, Michael Lovett. What a hard working and extremely patient creature he is! Some input from the team coaches guided me along the way, and the job was completed in a jiffy. (This is always a bonus when there is a deadline - and it's tight!)

Here is a snippet for you to read:

I love the fact that this project stretched me to write about an unfamiliar topic, and it proves that a little bit of quality research can go a long way.

To learn more about Touch Football Victoria, click here.

Thanks for the opportunity Mick, I look forward to putting on my 'hard hitting sports reporter' hat for you again some time soon!

Jen x

Grammar on the porch #5

Is it just me or do high school English classes slide further and further away with every year? Thank goodness we have "Grammar on the Porch". Good old Grammar loves to visit The Letterbug from time to time for a nice cup of tea and a natter about the English language. She knows you know - really she does. But just in case...


Image kindly supplied by Toni Grote - visit http://www.artisttonigrote.blogspot.com/ to see more of her beautiful artwork.

Good afternoon dears, Grammar here. It is lovely to be back on the porch on such a lovely warm afternoon. Mind you, this unexpected heat is rather unsettling for my little Kitty-Cats. Only last week they were lining up for electric blankets and wood heaters to spring into action. Oh well, I guess that's the way lady luck dances. Hehehe...



Now Grammar doesn't like to be snippy, but the following grammatical pitfall is frightfully COMMON, and so SIMPLE that very few of Grammar's words are required.

A lot.

Meaning very many, a large number; also, very much.

For example:

• A lot of people think Grammar's legs are rather foxy for an 82 year old lady, or
• Sad movies always made Beryl cry a lot.
  

Please dears, Grammar begs you to remember the following rule of thumb: a lot is two words, not one.

And there is most certainly no such word as alot!

Lovely, that's better.

Now then, let's tuck into a delightful brandy snap with our pot of Earl Grey, I'll have mine weak, no sugar, and just a tiny hint of......