Make Them Laugh! How to Add Humor to Your Writing
You don’t have to be a comedian to inject a little humor into your writing. And even if you don’t consider yourself a funny person, there are tips and tricks you can use to make...
Category: Media Tools and Tips
Grammar Hammer: Whiling Away the Hours
I often see “wile away the hours” used interchangeably with “while away the hours,” so which is correct? Technically, they both are, but there are some subtle differences one should consider. “To while away the hours”...
The Accidental Journalist: 3 Lessons from a Freelance Writer’s Career
Freelance journalist Eileen Beal talks to Beyond Bylines about her journey and what she’s learned along the way.
Grammar Hammer: Then vs. Than
I have a tendency to overthink certain grammar rules. Then vs. than is one of those grammar rules that I think I’ve nailed down, but always end up double checking after overthinking it for 10...
To Print or Not To Print? 5 Essentials for Ethical Decision Making in Today’s Newsroom
When it comes to breaking news, most would agree getting the story right trumps reporting it first. Many times this can be a tall – and stressful – order. Take, for example, the 2011...
Grammar Hammer: Punctuation Saves Lives, Part II
Part two of our series covers basic rules for brackets, parentheses, braces, ellipses, quotation marks and apostrophes.
Career Crossroads: 5 Tips for TV Reporters on Hiring an Agent
If you’re in the market for an agent, here are some tips from a reporter who’s been there.
Grammar Hammer: Punctuation Saves Lives, Part I
There are considered to be 14 “primary” punctuation marks. We’re reviewing some of them in Part 1 of a two-part series.
How to Build Your Travel Blog Brand: Tips from the #LakeErieLove Blogger Tour
If you’re considering taking a cliff dive into travel blogging, you need to prepare yourself. These experts have some advice.
The Ins and Outs of Op-Ed Writing
Op-ed pieces have their own structure, length, voice, etc. Knowing how to merge your opinion with factual information is an important part of writing an op-ed piece and attracting readers to your story. Jennifer Finney Boylan,...
Podcast Tips for Beginners: Q&A with Anna Renault
Have you secretly dreamed of being on radio? Or are you a blogger or journalist looking to reach a new audience? Either way, podcasts offer an alternative to traditional broadcasting, allowing you to share your expertise...
Neutral vs. Regional Accents On-Air: How to Decide What Works Best for You
The issue of whether or not a neutral accent works best in Spanish-language media is an ongoing debate. Although brands usually opt for a neutral voice-over narration for campaigns in hopes of reaching a...
Grammar Hammer: It’s the Principle of the Thing
“The principal is your PAL!” With apologies to Ferris Bueller, that’s how I learned the difference between “principle” and “principal.” Here again, we have two words that sound the same, but have two completely...
Grammar Hammer: A Flair for Flare?
Flair/Flare is one of my favorite homophones. Even though these words sound the same, their meanings are very different and these words are not interchangeable. FLAIR: A natural talent or aptitude; distinctive elegance or style Example:...
Tips for Writing an About Page When You Hate Writing About Yourself
Does anyone actually enjoy writing about themselves? I agonized over the few words in my Twitter bio. An entire page about me? That’s torture. For bloggers, however, an About page is essential. You can fight it all...
Grammar Hammer: I Assure You, It’s Easy to Ensure and Important to Insure
Have you been so confused with when to use “assure,” “ensure,” and “insure” that you actually go back and rewrite your sentence to avoid using that word? I confess, I do that often. “Ensure” and...
New Opportunities in Brand Marketing for Latina Lifestyle Journalists
As brands desire to connect directly with consumers via social media, savvy marketers have moved from traditional brand positioning to content marketing. So as a company recognizes this as a viable means to reach its...
Grammar Hammer: Why So Tense?
“While I was walking through the park, this giant spider appears out of nowhere and scared the living daylights out of me!” What’s wrong with that sentence? Absolutely nothing, if you’re as terrified of...
Grammar Hammer: Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda
I grew up in southern West Virginia and heard phrases like “would of went” and “should of went” all the time. Thanks to my late grammarian grandfather, The Colonel, those phrases never made it...
7 Questions to Answer Before You Start Blogging
Whether you’re starting a blog for personal or professional reasons, asking and answering these seven questions will help you prepare.
