Customer Review: Website Copy for a Wedding Cake Bakery

Cake + writing? I mean, could it get any better? Betsy was so fun to work with - she is a visionary in the world of wedding cakes and makes the most delicious cupcakes. Helping her craft the messaging that would lead her ideal clients through her website was an absolute joy.

And as happy as cake makes me, testimonials like hers make me even happier. Here's what she had to say about working together.

"Amanda was absolutely wonderful to work with. When I decided I wanted to redo my bakery website, I had no idea where to start. Amanda was the answer!

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AuthorAmanda Washburn
CategoriesReviews, Trusted Partner, Website content, Website Copywriting, Copywriting, Rough Draft Solutions
TagsCustomer Review
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How to Create a Successful Business Collaboration

Your business can’t do it all. You may want to offer all the services your customers are looking for, but that’s not the best plan for you or them. What ends up happening is that you offer mediocre services you don’t love providing.  

Instead of trying to offer everything, consider refining your one area of expertise and partnering with other companies that specialize in the other services your customers need.

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AuthorGuest User
CategoriesTrusted Partner, Tips, Small Business Owner, Networking
TagsLinkedIn, Small business, Professional Communication, trusted partner
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Business Blogging: What You're Missing Out On & What You Need To Do Now

Are you still debating whether or not your business should have a blog?  We think it’s time to make up your mind - and to start blogging!

Maybe you’re hesitant to start a blog because you think “No one will read it,” or “I have nothing to say…” Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this thinking. But you are wrong! We are fairly certain that you have a lot to share in your realm of expertise - and trust us, if it is unique, valuable content, people will read it!

Before I started working for Rough Draft Solutions, I had written one… maybe two blog posts ever. Now, I write one or two posts per week! Turning a blank screen into a page filled with high-quality, appealing, and informative content hasn’t been easy, but it has been beneficial to RDS, our clients, and myself as a professional.

After writing blogs on a consistent basis for almost a year, I have learned A TON about blogging. In part 1 of Business Blogging , I will cover the 6 things your company is missing out on by not blogging and what you need to do to get started. Writing blog posts consistently is not always an easy thing to do, but the benefits blogging brings to a business makes it worth it.

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CategoriesBlogging, Communication, Customer Relations, Trusted Partner, Rough Draft Solutions
TagsBlogging, Business blog, Strategic Communication, Customer Engagement
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What You Need To Know About Grammar (And What Doesn’t Matter)

Since grade school, we are taught to use “Well” instead of “Good,” “I’ instead of “Me,” and “May I” instead of “Can I.” When people correct us, does our grammar become perfect? Do we implement everything we’ve ever been corrected on? No, of course not.

As a young 8-year-old, I was a patient student and a sharp listener. While my classmates were fond of math and science, I was focused on perfecting every spelling test and became fascinated by the new world of commas. My class fell silent when we discussed grammar and spelling, but I was always eager to show off my knowledge. The teacher would finally ask, “Emily, where should the comma go?” “Before the conjunction,” I would say, keeping my reserved character, of course, so my friends wouldn’t think I was annoying.

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CategoriesWriting, Communication, Trusted Partner, Rough Draft Solutions
TagsWriting, Grammar, Effective Communication, Professional Communication, Writing tips
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GUEST POST: It Is Not Just Business, It's Personal

Today is an exciting day! We are hosting our very first guest bloggers! Allison Spooner and Jesse Flores are sharing with us how business isn’t just business. It’s personal. Their insight is on-point and vitally relevant to our efforts to support our clients in an authentic and valuable way in 2016.

So, who are the writers? Allison is a freelance, content wizard. She writes content that helps businesses in Lansing and beyond tell their stories, educate their customers, and promote their brands. Jesse is a startup junkie and tech enthusiast. His most recent endeavor is launching SuperWebPros, which builds Super Websites with Heroic Service for small businesses. Over the past year, we have enjoyed brainstorming with these two content and business gurus and are confident you will enjoy the insight they have for you.

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AuthorAmanda Washburn
CategoriesBusiness Leadership, Customer Relations, Trusted Partner, Rough Draft Solutions
TagsCompany Communication, customer relationships, Business Goals, Personalized Business
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About Us Video: Rough Draft Solutions

You know the feeling when you get a new outfit and you can’t wait to parade around showing everybody because it gives you the kind of confidence that makes you feel like you can take on the world? Well, that’s kind of how we feel about our new About Us video. Which is why we couldn't be more excited to share it with you!

Here is an inside peek at what goes on at Rough Draft Solutions!

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AuthorAmanda Washburn
CategoriesTrusted Partner, Video, Rough Draft Solutions, Customer Relations
TagsVideo, Rough Draft Solutions Team, Rough Draft Solutions, Small Business, Lansing Marketing, Lansing Business
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Meet the Rough Draft Solutions Team

Every day the Rough Draft Solutions team meets with clients, writes content, and manages our social media platforms, but what are we like outside of work? Our backgrounds and experiences influence the work we do, so we thought you may enjoy an inside look into our personalities! Who are the writers behind the content, you ask? Amanda, Tracey, and Emily answer the questions you’re curious about.

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CategoriesEmployee Morale, Trusted Partner, Interview, Rough Draft Solutions
TagsInterview, Rough Draft Solutions Team, Writers, Editors
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Strengthen Your Business with Quality Content

As we work to provide insightful and informative content on our blog about different aspects of business and content marketing, we wanted to take a moment to share more about what goes on here at Rough Draft Solutions!

The focus of our business is creating content worth reading. We strive to empower businesses to communicate with their customers in an effective and authentic way. In today’s world, businesses are communicating with their customers through websites, blogs, and newsletters. The challenge is knowing how to produce content effectively, how to write professionally, and realistically, how to get it done!

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AuthorAmanda Washburn
CategoriesContent Marketing, Writing, Strategic Communication, Trusted Partner, Rough Draft Solutions
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How to Effectively Communicate with Customers

Have you ever wondered how to more effectively engage your customers? Sometimes it is hard to know what to say and other times it is a challenge to know how often to reach out to your customers. Whatever the situation may be, business owners often postpone the task of reconnecting with their customers after they have completed a project - simply because they don't know what to say. 

The common misconception is that our customers don’t want to hear from us or that they already know enough about our company. However, there is immense value in sending friendly greetings, occasional updates and sharing relevant industry news with customers. 

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AuthorAmanda Washburn
CategoriesCommunication, Marketing, Rough Draft Solutions, Trusted Partner, Strategic Communication
Tagseffective communication, trusted partner, authentic communication, customer relationships, professional communication
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