Bio
As a professional writer of 25+ years, I hate jargon. Anything that alienates your readers will reduce your ability to get a message across. Having worked as a journalist and a copywriter in the technology
As a professional writer of 25+ years, I hate jargon. Anything that alienates your readers will reduce your ability to get a message across.
Having worked as a journalist and a copywriter in the technology and social policy fields since the 1990s, I’m all too familiar with the way people use obscure words and over-long sentences to big themselves up. Our obsession with business culture and new tech is making it worse (‘blue sky thinking’ or ‘low hanging fruit’ anyone?)
I always apply plain English principles to my work. In the past couple of years, I’ve specialised in working for ecotherapy and environmental projects and I’m currently battling exactly the same problem. The ecotherapy and conservation worlds have their own, exclusive language. Wherever possible, I’m trying to break this down so that anyone can understand what is being said.
I write accessible website copy, snappy blogs and social media titbits. I make academic or business reports easy to read. I also produce brochures, press releases and a wide range of marketing materials. My background as a journalist means I know how to find the best human-interest stories in any project. Journalism may have changed but telling a good story has never been more important.
My MSc in design science and my years working for Microsoft mean I have a good background in technology. I'm not a tekkie but I understand how technology can be used effectively.
My clients include Visa, Microsoft, The Guardian, The Department of Health, The NHS, Reuters, Experian, Logica, Reed Business Publishing, EMAP and The Local Government Association, to name a few.
Specialist areas
IT and multimedia, cloud computing, online community management, social media strategy, personal finance, social policy, health, housing.
