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As a marketer, business developer, or proposal professional, you need to stay fresh and up to date on industry best practices. Start here.
From technology innovations to shifting marketing and messaging trends, your profession is constantly evolving. Make sure you do, too. Check out some of the following articles, blog entries, and resources supported by Freestyle team members. This page will be updated frequently, so bookmark it and check back often. Enjoy!
"What we appreciate, as do our clients, is how Freestyle has made our marketing materials, website, and proposals clearer and more concise. You helped change the way we present our already successful firm to others, which has immediately impacted our hit ratio—and to us that is the bottom line."
—Director of Business Development, Construction Services Firm
Articles and White Papers
 Getting Executive Buy-InUse these six common-sense reasons to overcome executive pushback on content. |  Secrets of CommunicationCheck out these eight proven strategies for improving your communication skills. |  In Praise of EditingLearn how to elevate your editing by serving as a proxy for readers. |
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 Scaling Content MarketingEnjoy this data-filled discussion of three ways to affordably scale content marketing initiatives. |  The Science of Paper vs. ScreensWhile reading on screen is becoming the new normal, research suggests that paper still boasts unique advantages. |  Seven Steps to Great ProposalsConsider these seven tips to make your proposals better. Hint: it's about the customer, not you. |
 Taming MS Word FeaturesStop struggling with MS Word, and find out the easy way to turn off its most maddening features. |  65 Business Word to AvoidWhen you craft business writing, you want to sound like a person, not an institution. Here's how. |  12 Tips for Better Business WritingToday's business world is driven by information. Consider these pointers for putting your writing on the right track. |
 Write English, SMS StyleYears spent texting and emailing has turned our language subconscious to the dark side. |  Tips for Backing Up Your WorkAvoid disaster by automatically backing up your work online, at minimal or no cost. |  10 Bad Terms in Business WritingWant clear, powerful copy? Start by ridding your writing of these common verbal albatrosses. |
 The Grant Writing ChecklistWriting a grant application is a complex task. Try out this checklist when starting your next grant writing project. |  Attacking 12 Proposal DemonsLearn how to purge 12 common proposal demons that can bedevil your business development efforts. |  10 Desktop Publishing TipsApply these best practices on your next proposal or marketing document, and make your production and life a little easier. |
Articles and White Papers
Getting Executive Buy-InUse these six common-sense reasons to overcome executive pushback on content. | Secrets of CommunicationCheck out these eight proven strategies for improving your communication skills. | In Praise of EditingLearn how to elevate your editing by serving as a proxy for readers. |
|---|---|---|
Scaling Content MarketingEnjoy this data-filled discussion of three ways to affordably scale content marketing initiatives. | The Science of Paper vs. ScreensWhile reading on screen is becoming the new normal, research suggests that paper still boasts unique advantages. | Seven Steps to Great ProposalsConsider these seven tips to make your proposals better. Hint: it's about the customer, not you. |
Taming MS Word FeaturesStop struggling with MS Word, and find out the easy way to turn off its most maddening features. | 65 Business Word to AvoidWhen you craft business writing, you want to sound like a person, not an institution. Here's how. | 12 Tips for Better Business WritingToday's business world is driven by information. Consider these pointers for putting your writing on the right track. |
Write English, SMS StyleYears spent texting and emailing has turned our language subconscious to the dark side. | Tips for Backing Up Your WorkAvoid disaster by automatically backing up your work online, at minimal or no cost. | 10 Bad Terms in Business WritingWant clear, powerful copy? Start by ridding your writing of these common verbal albatrosses. |
The Grant Writing ChecklistWriting a grant application is a complex task. Try out this checklist when starting your next grant writing project. | Attacking 12 Proposal DemonsLearn how to purge 12 common proposal demons that can bedevil your business development efforts. | 10 Desktop Publishing TipsApply these best practices on your next proposal or marketing document, and make your production and life a little easier. |
Articles and White Papers
Blogs
 A Blog for the Comma ManTips on business writing, proposals, editing, and marketing from the staff at Freestyle Editorial. |  Content Marketing Institute BlogDiscussions about all aspects of content marketing, from practical advice to industry trends. |  The Expedience BlogTime-saving MS Office tricks and proposal management best practices. |
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 Grammar Girl BlogTips and exercises to remember everyday rules on punctuation, word choice, and more. |  The Convince and Convert BlogDetailed, video-rich articles on how to improve the results of your content marketing efforts. |  The Subversive Copy Editor BlogAdvice for copy editing from Carol Fisher Saller, senior editor at the University of Chicago Press. |
 Copyblogger BlogAn endless supply of articles about copywriting and content marketing techniques. |  Grammarphobia BlogPractical advice for handling seemingly every type of grammar problem. |  The Plain Language BlogDiscusses the benefits of clear design, plain language, and sensitivity to audience concerns. |
 Marketing Experiments BlogResearch-driven tips for optimizing your marketing and sales results. |  Business Writing BlogHelpful, gracious instruction on writing and editing in the business world. |  Daily Writing Tips BlogTests and tips on how to improve your grammar and business writing. |
Blogs
A Blog for the Comma ManTips on business writing, proposals, editing, and marketing from the staff at Freestyle Editorial. | Content Marketing Institute BlogDiscussions about all aspects of content marketing, from practical advice to industry trends. | The Expedience BlogTime-saving MS Office tricks and proposal management best practices. |
|---|---|---|
Grammar Girl BlogTips and exercises to remember everyday rules on punctuation, word choice, and more. | The Convince and Convert BlogDetailed, video-rich articles on how to improve the results of your content marketing efforts. | The Subversive Copy Editor BlogAdvice for copy editing from Carol Fisher Saller, senior editor at the University of Chicago Press. |
Copyblogger BlogAn endless supply of articles about copywriting and content marketing techniques. | Grammarphobia BlogPractical advice for handling seemingly every type of grammar problem. | The Plain Language BlogDiscusses the benefits of clear design, plain language, and sensitivity to audience concerns. |
Marketing Experiments BlogResearch-driven tips for optimizing your marketing and sales results. | Business Writing BlogHelpful, gracious instruction on writing and editing in the business world. | Daily Writing Tips BlogTests and tips on how to improve your grammar and business writing. |
Blogs
Writing Resources
 Gartner IT GlossaryA compilation of IT terms and definitions from the global leader in technology research. |  Manufacturing GlossaryA practical, up-to-date listing of common terms used in the manufacturing industry. |  Glossary of Legal TermsSearchable guide providing plain English definitions of common legal terms. |
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 AICPA GlossaryPrinter-friendly PDF of accounting terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. |  Healthcare GlossaryPrintable glossary of commonly used healthcare industry terms and acronyms. |  Construction GlossaryA-Z list of common construction industry terms, acronyms, and definitions. |
 Plain Language GuidelinesAssembled by a group of federal employees, this guide helps writers achieve clarity and conciseness. |  Engineering DictionaryComprehensive engineering search engine and dictionary from EngNet. |  Google TranslateFree service that instantly translates words, phrases, and documents from English to more than 100 languages. |
 Acronym FinderThe world's largest and most comprehensive dictionary of acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms. |  Merriam-Webster OnlineDictionary, thesaurus, Spanish-English dictionary, and medical dictionary. |  APA Style GuideA complete resource for writing in the social and behavioral sciences. |
 AP Stylebook OnlineAssociated Press guide to word usage, spelling, and punctuation (subscription required). |  Chicago Manual of StyleDetailed guide to aspects of editorial practice, from grammar and usage to document preparation (subscription required). |  GPO Style ManualGuidance on acronyms, capitalization, punctuation, and other topics for Federal Government publications. |
Writing Resources
Resource Portals
 SMPSSociety for Marketing Professional Services, provider of networking, research, and education to professionals at A/E/C companies. |  APMPAssociation of Proposal Management Professionals, provider of resources and best practices to the BD and proposal industries. |  AAMAssociation for Accounting Marketing, provider of marketing support and education to marketers, CPAs, and consultants. |
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 Legal Marketing AssociationProvider of education and networking opportunities legal industry professionals. |  American Marketing AssociationProvider of networking opportunities, resources, and education to marketing professionals. |  STCSociety for Technical Communication, provider of publications and training to improve communication skills. |
 Society of Business EditorsProvider of training, information, and networking opportunities to business-to-business writers, editors, and designers. |  Purdue Online Writing LabPortal containing more than 200 free professional writing resources and instructional materials. |  CourseraProvider of free and low-cost online courses in areas such as business writing, marketing strategy, and content marketing. |
 Web Accessibility In MindHub for research, media, and tools for making content more accessible to people with disabilities. |  ACESAmerican Copy Editors Society, provider of training, networking, and mentoring to full-time and freelance editors. |  Editorial Freelancers AssociationProvider of editorial information and access to professionals in communications and publishing. |
 FindLaw Small BusinessHub of legal resources and research for small businesses and individuals. |  Small Business NetworkProvider of free consulting, mentoring, and information to small businesses. | Association for the Self EmployedProvider of a broad range of resources and support to micro-businesses. |
Resource Portals
Templates, Tip Sheets, and Exercises
 Proposal Editing ChecklistUse this six-step editing checklist for more concise, compliance, and persuasive proposals. |  Common Word Shortcut KeysThis tip sheet lists the Microsoft Word shortcuts we find useful when writing and revising marketing and sales documents. |  Executive Summary WorksheetUse this worksheet at kickoff meetings to develop a concise, powerful executive summary that guides your proposal messaging. |
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 Common Transitional DevicesThis tip sheet highlights common transitional devices used to help readers connect ideas or make assumptions. |  Content Planning WorksheetUse this tool to develop and review proposal content, allowing for improved quality and efficiency in the writing process. |  Compliance/Responsibility MatrixUse this combination Compliance and Responsibility Matrix to improve efficiency and create compliant, evaluator-friendly proposals. |
 Common CircumlocutionsThis tip sheet provides simpler alternatives to roundabout expressions that add extra words without extra meaning. |  60-Second Memory ExerciseView this short video, then visit our corresponding blog article to learn how prospects retain the info in your proposals and presentations. |
Templates & Tip Sheets
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