The role of the written word has changed beyond recognition in the last few years. It used to be all about press releases, magazines, printed newsletters, flyers and brochures. Those things are still important, but your own website and social media have leapt to the fore. When it comes to search engine optimisation, some of the best things you can do are to add regular news content to your website, build up an online library of application notes, and start a blog. To interact with your customers at a more personal level, there is social media. And to push information out to customers and prospects on a regular basis, there are email newsletters.

All of these demand crisp, concise copy, written with imagination and flair, by someone who understands your industry and your products, and has a passion for engineering and manufacturing. That’s where I come in. With my engineering background and journalistic experience, I can quickly generate effective web content and social media updates.

News pages: There is little that says more about your company than your news page. A regularly updated news page is a good indicator of a dynamic, successful company. And there are more opportunities to generate news content than you might think, covering the likes of participation at exhibitions, new product introductions, new distributorships taken on, new contracts awarded, new members of staff, and more.

Blogs: Regular blogging is a great way to add content to your website – which helps to boost its appeal to search engines – as well as being the perfect medium for promoting your business, products and services. It is an ideal tool for establishing yourself as an expert in your field, or to discuss industry issues.

Application notes: Do your products address specific industry problems or meet the needs of particular sectors? Then why not produce a series of application notes explaining how. You don’t need to mention specific customers – just talking about generic industry issues and how your products address them will help to set you apart from your competitors.

Email newsletters: A well written email newsletter is a proven means of keeping customers and potential customers updated with your latest information, and for generating traffic to your website.

Press releases: To a large extent, be it online or in print, the trade media still offers an excellent vehicle for coverage of company products and services, but getting the best coverage requires press releases that meet the needs of busy editors. I can quickly identify stories and opportunities, and produce high quality press releases with fast turnaround times.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss where my cost-effective writing services might add value to your business, whether on an ad hoc basis or as part of an ongoing monthly programme.