connecting with customers

Write for your reader

Write for Your Reader: Why Reader-First Copy Wins

Quick answer: To write for your reader means putting their problems, questions, and needs ahead of your own business story. Instead of leading with “we” and “our,” effective copy leads with “you,” answers the exact question the reader has, and builds trust through education rather than a sales pitch. Businesses that write for their reader […]

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Small business lessons learned in 10 years

Small Business Lessons I’ve Learned in the Past 10 Years

This post shares the biggest business lessons I’ve picked up over ten years of running The Professional Writer, from managing cash flow and building systems to the relationships, referrals and confidence that have shaped everything I do. If you’re a small business owner after real, lived business lessons rather than theory, this is what’s worked

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AI search changes website rules

Why AI Search Changes the Rules for Your Website

AI search tools like Google’s AI Overview, ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity now write full answers instead of showing a list of links. To get picked as a trusted source, your website needs simple copy, clear headings, FAQs, fast loading and good accessibility. If you wait too long to update your site, you risk losing visitors,

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Writing a winning business award submission

Writing a Winning Business Award Submission: An Expert’s Guide

Winning a business award submission takes more than good writing. It takes clear strategy, real evidence and a story that connects with judges. This guide draws on over a decade of experience and more than 300 submissions written, with a 95.75% success rate for finalist placings and category wins. It covers the most common mistakes

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The power of listening - why great business begins with great listening

The Power of Listening – Why Great Business Begins with Great Listening

Think about the conversations you’ve had with clients, suppliers, or colleagues. How often do people really listen – not just waiting for their turn to speak, but actively trying to understand what you mean, what you need, and how you feel? Listening might seem simple, yet it’s one of the most powerful and underrated tools

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Local business awards - Tips for success

Are Local Business Awards Really Worth Your Time?

Local business awards might look glamorous from the outside, but if you run a busy small business, it’s entirely natural to wonder whether they are actually worth the effort. Are they just a popularity contest? Do bigger businesses have an unfair advantage? And where do you even start with the seemingly endless entry forms? In

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How to become a thought leader, what is a thought leader, blog post writer, award nominations writer, The Professional Writer, Lyndall Guinery-Smith

How to Become a Thought Leader in 2026

Establishing genuine influence and authority in your industry requires more than just expertise. It demands the human elements that no artificial intelligence can replicate. As a thought leader, your authentic experiences, insights, and connections create impact that resonates with real people seeking real solutions. What is Thought Leadership? Leadership in business has evolved significantly, yet

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Boost your SEO ranking

Boost Your SEO Ranking: The E-E-A-T Guide

Wondering where your website enquiries have gone? Need to boost your SEO ranking? Search engine optimisation has evolved far beyond simple keyword placement and link building. Google’s E-E-A-T framework now stands as the cornerstone of content credibility in both search and artificial intelligence environments. As algorithms grow more sophisticated, mastering these principles has become essential

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enter business awards, why you should enter business awards, help with business award application, professional writer, business award nomination writer

Top 10 Reasons for Entering Business Awards in 2026

If you’re considering entering business awards in 2026, you’re making a strategic move that could transform your business trajectory. Recent studies show that organisations that participate in business awards experience significant growth and increased market visibility. Let’s explore the top 10 reasons for entering business awards in 2026 and how they can benefit your organisation.

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