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Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content
by
Ann Handley (Goodreads Author)
Finally a go-to guide to creating and publishing the kind of content that will make your business thrive.
Everybody Writes is a go-to guide to attracting and retaining customers through stellar online communication, because in our content-driven world, every one of us is, in fact, a writer.
If you have a web site, you are a publisher. If you are on social media, you are in
...moreKindle Edition, 301 pages
Published
September 2nd 2014
by Wiley
(first published January 1st 2014)
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(showing 1-30)
While the author has a very readable style and the book is broken up into easy to read sections, I found most of the information either repetitive or just plain tips I already knew. For example, the notion of "writing for one person" is pretty common, as were the tips for attention-grabbing headlines. I have already read such tips on Copyblogger and other writing blogs. Same for the social media tips --one can find the suggested length for a tweet or Facebook post almost anywhere. I would have a
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I love Ann Handley's style of writing and she shares great tips for writers as well as content marketers and bloggers who write a lot.
I'd recommend this plus Content Rules, Ann's first book, for anyone that wants to blog and work in social media. Great read!
I'd recommend this plus Content Rules, Ann's first book, for anyone that wants to blog and work in social media. Great read!
Quite basic and repetitive at times. I'd wager most marketing professionals are already intimately familiar with the vast majority of the content presented here. If you're not a businessperson, don't bother - if you're a journalist, don't bother.
But:
1. If you don't work in marketing, or would like to hire a marketing person, this book can help you understand the day-to-day responsibilities of a content producer.
2. The guidelines on writing for different social media channels is relevant. Still, ...more
But:
1. If you don't work in marketing, or would like to hire a marketing person, this book can help you understand the day-to-day responsibilities of a content producer.
2. The guidelines on writing for different social media channels is relevant. Still, ...more
I took a number of writing classes in school and none of them prepared me for writing in the business world. For my first few assignments for work, I found that I was spending far too much time drafting, just to have it be so reworked that I hardly recognized it by the time it was published. To be totally honest, I felt stupid trying to write in the business world.
Of course, writing takes practice. Lots and lots of practice! After reading Everybody Writes, I wished that I had found it much earli ...more
Of course, writing takes practice. Lots and lots of practice! After reading Everybody Writes, I wished that I had found it much earli ...more
Content, we know you are king, but it is time to meet your queen: Ann Handley. From small blogs to mammoth corporations, Ann Handley has reigned them all. With her eye for empathetic material that is easy to understand and implement, she is justified in her sovereignty.
Handley’s latest book, EVERYBODY WRITES, continues her double-decade trend of sharing techniques to cut the mush and filler and create what your reading clientele yearns to see: an attractive and informative message. The book has ...more
Handley’s latest book, EVERYBODY WRITES, continues her double-decade trend of sharing techniques to cut the mush and filler and create what your reading clientele yearns to see: an attractive and informative message. The book has ...more
Meh. Nothing you don't already know if you are pretty sure you know what you're doing and have been successful at it already and/or you read blogs like Copyblogger, Contently, or Marketo and/or you are currently a content writer and/or have been a content writer for a long time. Get this one from the library if you must.
Some useful marketing information, but as far as the writing tips, it was pretty basic. I suppose with a title like "Everybody Writes," you should expect a pretty basic overview of writing best practices rather than in-depth analysis/tips/tricks.
I did enjoy Handley's sense of humor and there were definitely a few gems here and there ... I just probably could have gotten the same information in a few good blog posts rather than reading a whole book.
I did enjoy Handley's sense of humor and there were definitely a few gems here and there ... I just probably could have gotten the same information in a few good blog posts rather than reading a whole book.
I loved Ann Handley's previous book Content Rules: How to Create Killer Blogs, Podcasts, Videos, eBooks, Webinars (and More) That Engage Customers and Ignite Your Business so I had to read this. As the author accurately points out, most books about the era of content aim to be inspiring and encouraging, but they don't actually tell you what to do. I've noticed they also often treat their audience like either insiders or idiots.
This book assumes the reader has some experience of writing, at least ...more
This book assumes the reader has some experience of writing, at least ...more
The author has an easy-to-read style and gives a lot of practical advice.
It would be misleading to say that Ann Handley's excellent new book takes the stress out of the writing process (let me know if you stumble on that one). However, I'm confident it can help lessen that wasted period of immobility at the beginning of any new project.
And maybe some of the ones during.
As the title suggests, we're all writers now. Most of us don't need encouragement to create content about our favorite things, whether they're books, animal pics, or data cloud storage solutions. So w ...more
And maybe some of the ones during.
As the title suggests, we're all writers now. Most of us don't need encouragement to create content about our favorite things, whether they're books, animal pics, or data cloud storage solutions. So w ...more
I enjoy Ann Handley's writing, so of course I got her new book when it was released recently. Even as a professional writer and former English major, I found the book valuable, in several ways.
First, validation -- here's someone who cares about the quality of the writing we read, even on webpages and in marketing materials. Thanks to Ann for that - I agree with so much of what she says.
Second, she has found ways to formulate some of the rules that I knew instinctively or intuitively - if nothing ...more
First, validation -- here's someone who cares about the quality of the writing we read, even on webpages and in marketing materials. Thanks to Ann for that - I agree with so much of what she says.
Second, she has found ways to formulate some of the rules that I knew instinctively or intuitively - if nothing ...more
I'm not the right audience for this book. If you're a marketer who's afraid of writing (or insecure about your writing) or if you aspire to marketing writing but have never done any, it's a decent primer.
Containing a rehash of all the standard writing tips, too many quotes from other writing books (especially Stephen King's) and a mishmash of how-tos on writing copy for particular marketing scenarios, it'll get you started. There's also some information on the ethics of publishing that feels a ...more
Containing a rehash of all the standard writing tips, too many quotes from other writing books (especially Stephen King's) and a mishmash of how-tos on writing copy for particular marketing scenarios, it'll get you started. There's also some information on the ethics of publishing that feels a ...more
I read the hardcover but I don't think the ISBN listed in the book brings up the correct version here at Goodreads.
Here is the best way that I can sum up Ann's work. I write. Ann's book is designed to help people write better. I will keep Everybody Writes within arm's length of my writing chair.
Towards the end of the book Ann says, "By this point in the book you and I are friends, so you know my position."
Truth be told I've known Ann's position for years (I do not know her personally though). Bu ...more
Here is the best way that I can sum up Ann's work. I write. Ann's book is designed to help people write better. I will keep Everybody Writes within arm's length of my writing chair.
Towards the end of the book Ann says, "By this point in the book you and I are friends, so you know my position."
Truth be told I've known Ann's position for years (I do not know her personally though). Bu ...more
My husband was initially supposed to read this book for work but never did. I just happened to have a spare few minutes and started to read the first page...well that was it, I couldn't put it down. This book is not only a good read being funny and addictive, but its so educational; Ann Handley talks about writing in a sense that you want to start writing your self. She provides you with the tools to start writing in a way that schools never provided us with.
I've enjoyed it that much that it has ...more
I've enjoyed it that much that it has ...more
Highly recommended - Excellent primer on digital marketing and communications
Digital marketing and communications, brand journalism, owned media, inbound marketing and content marketing are all terms that confuse most or (worse) people think they know what they are but don't really quite get it at all. Ann Handley offers an excellent primer on what it's all about. She writes simply enough for a beginner to understand yet also offers enough good solid tips so experienced pros can pick up dozens o ...more
Digital marketing and communications, brand journalism, owned media, inbound marketing and content marketing are all terms that confuse most or (worse) people think they know what they are but don't really quite get it at all. Ann Handley offers an excellent primer on what it's all about. She writes simply enough for a beginner to understand yet also offers enough good solid tips so experienced pros can pick up dozens o ...more
It was okay in the beginning, but the author focussed too intently on explaining the purpose of the book (hello! The purpose is written on the front, we get it!). There were a few good pointers about figuring out what your readers want but nothing beyond basic advice. The final part of the book was a review of basic grammar. If you've read any book about how to write, you've already read this one.
If you're an experienced writer this book is 100% worthless. It was recommended to me at the end of a marketing course and I learned absolutely nothing reading it.
However, if you have never written for the Internet, it could be a valuable resource and guidebook for producing better content. It is well laid out, easy to read, and unlike the classics like S&W focuses more on creation rather than grammar rules.
However, if you have never written for the Internet, it could be a valuable resource and guidebook for producing better content. It is well laid out, easy to read, and unlike the classics like S&W focuses more on creation rather than grammar rules.
It's written like a typical list article of tips and suggestions, which makes the book browsable. I got some good tips and suggestions here and there, but at least two-thirds of the suggestions I've read before in various places. I was hoping that the book focused mostly on writing style, rather than say tips on content creation.
If you are looking for the ultimate primer on how to create compelling content (especially in a marketing world) then this book is the absolute go-to. Part mindset and understanding, part theory and grammar, part messaging and "Why", Ann breaks down her decades of experience in writing and editing to give readers everything they ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask.
I thought this was going to be a book about content marketing, but it turned out to be a book on how to write well. And it was interesting. Super short chapters, and Ann Handley has a Tina Fey-type tone, so it was a fun read.
Not a worthless read, but a touch painful to slog through for me. Some good tidbits mixed with old ideas.
Not only a read once, but a great reference manual to have by my desk. I refer to it all the time when writing content for my clients.
Overall I was a bit disappointed by this book. I think had expectations that this would unlock some secret writing ability within myself but surprise surprise it doesn't work like that.
I really liked the beginning of the book where the author focused on marketing / content marketing instead of fiction writing. She communicated over and over again why & how writing is important which I loved.
In terms of the tactics of writing it was a bit dry and boring. But I suppose that's to be expected wi ...more
I really liked the beginning of the book where the author focused on marketing / content marketing instead of fiction writing. She communicated over and over again why & how writing is important which I loved.
In terms of the tactics of writing it was a bit dry and boring. But I suppose that's to be expected wi ...more
This book is a wonderfully quirky introduction to content-marketing. Ann is hilarious and warm, her writing style is infinitely readable.
She repeats a few points but in the style of an academic essay i.e. she introduces a list of points then later re-introduces the points to flesh them out properly.
The best aspect of the book is the extensive lists of all the resources a content creator could possibly need.
Everybody Writes is ideal for keeping on your desk to flick through help with everything ...more
She repeats a few points but in the style of an academic essay i.e. she introduces a list of points then later re-introduces the points to flesh them out properly.
The best aspect of the book is the extensive lists of all the resources a content creator could possibly need.
Everybody Writes is ideal for keeping on your desk to flick through help with everything ...more
300 pages of clear writing wisdom. Ann Handley follows her own advice -- clarity, brevity, and utility. Not all suggestions are new, especially when you have got down from the online treadmill of reading content marketing content.
This isn't an intimate peek into the art of writing creativity; just a few of the scattered nuts and bolts for your own toolbox. For the former, I am diving into Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within.
Give it a whirl. I didn't read it from beginning to end, ...more
This isn't an intimate peek into the art of writing creativity; just a few of the scattered nuts and bolts for your own toolbox. For the former, I am diving into Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within.
Give it a whirl. I didn't read it from beginning to end, ...more
If you have any journalism or English training, you could probably skip the first 2/3 of this book (or just find a different one), as it will seem like a lot of reviewing things you already know. But there are some great tips later on targeted specifically for the marketing or business writer that were informative, yet told in a conversational manner.
This is quite possibly the best book I've read in years. The target reader writes content for his or her customers - marketing materials, website text, social media posts, etc. But the concepts here cover so much more. I'm thinking it's even helped my songwriting! I read it online, and I'll be looking for a hard copy soon. Great book!!
...more
This book is such a gem -- I'm going refer to this book anytime I need a little inspiration or improvement in my writing. The information is easily accessible and filled with so many great ways to write better. Highly recommend for anyone interested in improving their writing!
Loved this practical and helpful guide to creating better content as a writer (or blogger, or whatever). Forget what you learned about writing in high school (seriously, that’s one of her excellent suggestions) and start creating content you’re proud to call your own.
A great resource for everyday writing
I enjoyed learning the important points of writing in a marketing context. The rules were concise and well organized. Would reccomend to people just beginning their journey into professional writing to market and pursuade the masses.
I enjoyed learning the important points of writing in a marketing context. The rules were concise and well organized. Would reccomend to people just beginning their journey into professional writing to market and pursuade the masses.
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Ann Handley is the author of Everybody Writes (Wiley 2014), co-author of Content Rules (Wiley 2011), a speaker, and the world's first Chief Content Officer. More at AnnHandley.com.
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“Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple. —Woody Guthrie”
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“As content strategist Jonathon Colman, who works for Facebook, told me: “Start with empathy. Continue with utility. Improve with analysis. Optimize with love.”
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Nov 07, 2014 03:22PM