About Alison

Alison Harmer is an award-winning copywriter and editor on a mission to eradicate errant apostrophes and unnecessary capitals and hyphens. She's highly flexible, easy to work with and always delivers on time.

Brief encounter: how writers get it right first time

A guide to writing a decent brief for your copywriter.
By |August 1st, 2016|Business communicators, Copywriting, Corporate Communications, Creative brief, Customer service, Employee communications, Great words, Internal Communications, Writing|Comments Off on Brief encounter: how writers get it right first time

Getting a handle on cycle-rail travel

Proofreading the Cycle-Rail Toolkit opened my eyes to the benefits of cycle-rail travel. I'm not alone in feeling enthused. Last year 47 million rail journeys included a bike.
By |June 28th, 2016|Proofreading, Rail, Transport|Comments Off on Getting a handle on cycle-rail travel

Writing about COPD: when experience helps

Professional writers can write with authority about subjects they know little about. But if you’re asked to write about issues with a personal connection they can really get the story-telling juices flowing.

I knew about respiratory disorders before I started writing about COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) in press releases and brochures for GCE Healthcare last […]

By |January 29th, 2016|Copywriting, Writing|Comments Off on Writing about COPD: when experience helps

Apostrophe misuse can hurt your business

Don’t abuse the apostrophe if you want customers to respect your brand, stay loyal and continue buying your goods and services. Apostrophe misuse can hurt your business.

Take a look – if you can bear it – at these signs from a new car valeting service at my local garden centre. I wish to report an […]

By |December 7th, 2015|Copywriting, Grammar, Howlers, Spelling|Comments Off on Apostrophe misuse can hurt your business

Borderline serious about exporting? Don’t be

Maybe you’re a business-owner thinking about exporting. Perhaps you’ve never considered it, don’t know where to start or are daunted by the prospect.

Since fear didn’t stop you from setting up a business in the first place, why should it prevent you from tapping into a potential market of seven billion people on the planet? That’s […]

By |October 16th, 2015|Exporting, New business, New markets|2 Comments

Interviewing Jeremy Corbyn

When Jeremy Corbyn won the Labour Party leadership yesterday and was serenaded by Billy Bragg, how many others were transported back, like me, to the rebellious mid 1980s?

I studied for a media studies degree at the Polytechnic of Central London (PCL) from 1983 to 1986. The Conservatives were in power and Mrs Thatcher was prime […]

By |September 13th, 2015|Journalism, Media, Writing|1 Comment

Crowdfunding on the rise

As an alternative way of financing projects, crowdfunding is on the rise. In 2014 the market grew 167% according to a 2015 report by Massolution; which collected data from 1,250 crowdfunding platforms (CFPs).

It’s just one interesting fact I discovered while writing this article called ‘What is crowdfunding?’ for crowdfundingwebsites.co.uk – a new website for anyone […]

By |July 30th, 2015|Financial writing, Journalism|Comments Off on Crowdfunding on the rise

Small firms need to shake off budget blues

How have independent professionals, freelancers and contractors reacted to the summer budget? They have the budget blues, if the reaction of several trade organisations and associations is anything to go by.

“Three blows below the belt” for small businesses is how Chris Bryce, CEO of IPSE (The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed), summarised […]

By |July 13th, 2015|Budget, Contracting, Freelancing|Comments Off on Small firms need to shake off budget blues

What is brand journalism?

Brand journalism and branded content are two buzzword phrases that marketing people often use. But others are left scratching their heads. What do the phrases mean?

A brand journalist combines journalism techniques and principles with clever marketing to write copy for brands, businesses and organisations that is better at connecting with people than blatant selling.

Branded content […]

By |July 7th, 2015|Brand content, Brand journalism|Comments Off on What is brand journalism?

Tips on refreshing your website

Refreshing your website can take a long time. I knew mine was in dire need of modernisation but I spent 18 months on it before it went live today.

In retrospect, that sounds ridiculous. But when you write for a living – and are as pernickety as I am about spelling, punctuation and grammar – the […]

By |June 22nd, 2015|Branding, Copywriting, Corporate Communications, Good design, Web design|Comments Off on Tips on refreshing your website