Every business today knows the value of having a strong web presence and more commonly a strong social media presence. Whether you use it as a way of keeping in touch with your customers, or obtaining feedback, or promotion, social media is becoming increasingly important. The time taken need not be intrusive on your everyday business activity, a quick tweet or Facebook update may be all that's required.

But what if you want to engage further, or build a deeper relationship with your customers, potential customers and readers? A blog may be the answer, with opportunity for you to show off your knowledge and skills in a particular area and also to show off your business personality. This requires a little more effort and time though and can be especially costly for small businesses. KD writing is now offering a new business blogging service. Get rid of that nagging thought that you should really be writing more often, that your blog is neglected and that you just don't have enough hours in the day. After an initial consultation, I will get on with the research and writing so you can get on with what you do best.

Why blog?
Here's just a couple of reasons, from Spinweb's paper on 'Why nobody reads your corporate blog'

• COMPANIES THAT BLOG GET 55% MORE WEB TRAFFIC
• B2C COMPANIES THAT BLOG GENERATE 88% MORE LEADS PER MONTH THAN THOSE WHO DO NOT
• 57% OF BUSINESSES HAVE ACQUIRED A CUSTOMER THROUGH THEIR COMPANY BLOG

If you think you could benefit from KD writing's new business blogging service get in touch and we can discuss how it can work for you.

So after 6 months training, assessments and volunteering I have successfully completed my ITALL PDA (Introduction to Tutoring in Adult Literacies Learning). I have really enjoyed the course and have met some great people already through it. The Scottish Survey of Adult Literacies 2009 found that overall the Scottish population has a good level of literacy skills in line with international expectations. While around 25% of the adult population would benefit from improving their literacy skills, around 3.6% of the Scottish population has very limited capabilities. Low literacies are often linked to poverty and are likely to adversely affect people's health and well-being, financial status and ability to participate in society. This is no small matter. It impacts on every area of an individual's life and consequently in their communities.

I intend to play a very small part in improving adult literacy levels in the area where I live and work, Fife. However, it pained me today to read about my homeland which according to a new report has 40% of NI pupils leaving school without basic reading, writing and numeracy skills. I am shocked by this, and confused as to the reasons. Only 2 months ago, BBC news reported that Northern Ireland was 6th in the world for primary teaching standards in maths! Something (or someone?) does not add up correctly. Either way, I like to believe that many opportunities exist for those who wish to improve their literacy levels and increasingly we must offer easy access to these opportunities. Technology offers new ways to engage learners and explain things through new and relevant methods. And that leads me onto my next step in my lifelong learning journey.. 

As I complete my Literacy tutoring course, I have embarked on something entirely different. An online course on E-learning and Digital Culture. My hope and intention is to somehow figure out a way to converge the two. Would love to hear from those who are further down the track than me.

So every so often I find it useful to take on a writing challenge, to keep the creative flow on the move. This time I found a challenge from a digital company in Edinburgh called Shake. They threw down this little gauntlet ...

"Research and write 400 words on ladies fashion for the over 55’s. Think topical, think target audience and think engagement.

And here's me picking up that gauntlet and running with it..


Faux pas free fashion for the over 50s

Do you know your LBD from your VPL? Concerns about bingo wings and crows feet?
Never fear, daytime TV is rife with well meaning advice on what to wear and where to shop, who to look like and what not to ever ever do. If Gok Wan hasn’t already convinced you that 50 is the new 20 and all you need is some supportive undergarments with a double dose of confidence, then we are here to do just that. Confused? You will be!

Instead of being blindly led by the blind and continually fretting that your best dressed days are behind you, why not relax and take some time to really evaluate your wardrobe and how you feel about it? And while you’re at it take five minutes to yourself (when did you last do that) to think about your own body. And we don’t mean the bumps and sags and bits you would rather hide, we mean the curves, the maturity and the elegance that only you can carry off. Appreciating the kind of fabrics you have come to love over the years and the styles you can’t stand to see making a comeback is all part and parcel of dressing well as a woman over 50. It’s not all comfort and practicality - you know what you like and that’s essential to looking and feeling great.

Take some time to browse through our ShakeInteractive brochure and you’ll soon see style and desirable outfits designed precisely with you in mind. Complete the simple step-by-step guide to choosing shapes, colours and budget to suit you and then sit back, relax and let the virtual personal shopper assistant collect items for you to choose from. Before long your wardrobe will be personally thanking you for ditching the two piece cardis and the floral floor length floatys. 

So if you are tired of the teens getting all the fashion attention and feel it’s time to refresh your look then step this way and get ready to shop like you’ve never shopped before. Leave your petticoats by the patio and step into something altogether more 2010. 

Only you know you like we do.


Ok, so maybe you'll only appreciate this if you're a woman of a certain age, but I was mildly pleased with the copy and enjoyed getting some practice in.