Punctuation reminder: When an -ly adverb is part of a compound modifier
Should you hyphenate “socially responsible” in the following phrase? “Socially responsible funds are…” “Hyphens should never be used with compound modifiers that include an adverb ending in -ly,” as my colleague Hilda Brucker reminds me occasionally. Yes, I make punctuation mistakes, too. This is one of my weaknesses.
Q&A: How to look trustworthy in your professional photo
Convincing clients and prospects to trust you is essential to building relationships with them. A great photo alone won’t win them over, but a bad photo can undermine how they see you. This is why I conducted an email interview with Lori Johnson of Your Best Image. By the way, Lori specializes in photographic image […]
Are your paragraphs the right length?
The length of your paragraphs can help or handicap your readers. I favor short paragraphs, especially when I’m writing blog posts for readers in a hurry. However, I also believe you should vary paragraph length according to the length demanded by your subject matter. It’s better to run too short than too long in these […]
Reader challenge: Can you explain duration better than The New York Times?
The duration of a bond isn’t easy to explain in few words. This is why I was delighted by the brief description I found in The New York Times. Author Carla Fried wrote, “For the most part, managers seem to agree that it is best to limit a fund’s duration, or sensitivity to changes in […]
Poll: How quickly and often should you follow up with prospects for your financial services?
Gaining new clients is important to you. That’s the whole point of your marketing. However, a blog post by Karyn Greenstreet suggests that you aren’t making the most of a great opportunity: systematic follow-up with prospects who contact you. “Most people will make one follow-up call or email to a prospective customer. But if they […]