Writing Tips

• As you write, put yourself in the reader's shoes; what would he or she want to know about your business?

• Use a spelling and grammar checker! Poor spelling or grammar can make people doubt your capabilities.
• Keep text as brief as possible, especially on a web site. Divide the text into multiple web pages with more links rather than using long, scrolling pages, especially on the home page.
• Use bullets and subheadings to break text into small, manageable sections that are easy to skim.
• Explain the benefits a client/customer will gain from using your business (rather than just listing what you do).
• Include useful information in your web site in addition to "tooting your horn." People are more likely to remember and return to your site if you give information that 's useful to them: links, tips, calculators, resources, etc.

Layout/Marketing Tips

• Use "styles" to make formatting much simpler (and faster) in your word processing documents.
• Create a "template" (.dot) for each of your frequently-used forms in Microsoft Word to make sure your documents look consistent each time you use them.
• Do an inexpensive postcard mailing to stir up some business.
• Use your logo consistently on all your printed materials, forms and web site.
• Make sure to put contact information (phone, email, web address, etc.) in a prominent place throughout your materials and web site.
• Ask current clients/customers to review your marketing materials and give you feedback.
• If you plan to use your printed folders for a long time, don't put your address or phone number on them. That way you can keep using them if you move (or get assigned a new area code), instead of throwing them out.
• Design your documents to have a consistent look, from your web site all the way down to your business forms.
• Leave some "white space" on your documents rather than cramming every available inch with text or graphics.
• Limit yourself to two or three fonts—one for headings and one for body text—and use them consistently throughout all your documents.
• If you use clip art, choose images that all share a similar look and color scheme.
• Use high-quality images in your printed documents; don't paste in fuzzy, low-resolution images copied from the web.