Meet our new mascot - the Lichen! The beautiful yellow and blue lichens above are just two of the 15,000+ species of lichen distributed across the globe. Why choose the lichen? Because, as both a scientist and a writer, I offer a unique set of capabilities, just as lichen do. A lichen is formed by a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae (or a cyanobacterium, sometimes called a blue-green "algae"). Each contributes specific [...]

A client recently mentioned that he is having trouble getting the scientists in his company to help prepare content for the company's new website. But the company needs their website copy to clearly demonstrate their technical expertise, and these scientists are in the best position to express that, so you can imagine his frustration! Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Perhaps your subject matter experts (SME) are so busy with their [...]

Have you ever been surprised or even frustrated by a question your writer asks during an initial project discussion? Perhaps some of them seem extraneous and you wonder why she is asking. I get it. I’ve been asked about some of my information-gathering questions. For example, I was recently asked why I needed to know about the client’s legal department participation in the project. It was then that I realized a brief discussion about [...]

Creating valuable marketing and thought leadership content for the sciences takes insight, skill, and an understanding of the audience you’re trying to reach. Part of that last step is using different formats and communication strategies to reach the different segments of your audience. Here are three strategies to consider to achieve maximum reach. Use Visuals Visuals can be a great icebreaker for readers of complex subject matter like the sciences. For example, you can create [...]

Have you ever had to bring in a new writer to finish a project begun by someone else? Despite the changing logistics, you need to keep the momentum going, meet deadlines, and create a seamless piece of content. Sound impossible? Nope, it's entirely possible! Next time, before you start hyperventilating, consider a few tips that will help you get a smooth transition and successful outcome. Provide the new writer with the same background information the [...]

Do you know the history and branches of biotechnology? Q: What is biotechnology? A: Check dictionaries and technical references, and you find various definitions of the term. A general explanation of biotechnology is the use of living organisms and systems to make products and processes useful to humankind. Q: When was biotechnology first used? A: Humans have used biotechnology for thousands of years: to breed and domesticate beneficial plants and animals, produce food (cheese, [...]