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The Word by Sonder and Tell. Writing Worth Reading
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This is the 100th issue of The Word! 🎉 And what a way to end the year! 

No matter what your readership status is – whether you’re a regular or someone that checks in every now and again – we’d like to say thank you for reading. And then forwarding, sharing, posting (no pressure) and whatever else possibly known to get The Word out there. 

We dived into the archives to take a look at some of the top hits. There was the newsletter that reminded all writers about the Show Don’t Tell mantra. Then there was the time that Impact Strategist Amirah Jiwah told us: being specific is sustainable (and more than a marketing ploy or tactic). 👀📧❤️ was a fun one, that received a great reception too. And yes, we went really went there with the subject lines. Scroll through the archives to see how The Word has evolved. Oh, and there’s no harm in resharing, reposting and or reforwarding again either. ☺️

To mark the 100th volume of our newsletter, we turned to our community of language-loving Wordsmiths. In case you’re wondering, that’s the slack channel that we run, a place where words, grammar memes and good copy references are graciously circulated. It’s also a place where copywriters of all backgrounds – freelance and agency – can congregate to discuss copywriting trends, stories they’ve read, or the podcasts that got them thinking.

If you’re interested in joining the Wordsmiths channel, click here. And if there are topics that you’d like us to explore in 2022, drop us a note. We’d love to hear from you. 

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"What I crave more than anything is the luxury of those times when I start to write, and though I don’t yet know the shape of what will come, I write my way forward. I remember that the joy of these moments is the only thing that truly makes me a writer."

Taken from a piece, by Roxanne Gay for WePresent in which she talks of writing, rejection, aspiration, but above all perseverance.

Selected by Izzy Ashton, Brand Comms Manager at 180 Amsterdam
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“Chris reminds me why I love the written word. In the advertising industry where it feels like copy comes second, he teaches us at the School of Communication Arts to forge its proud place. An infectious character to boot, he’s a treasure trove of stories that are hard to tire from. I hope you enjoy hearing from him. For me, what matters most is being in a community with those who find joy in all of this, too. The Wordsmiths is an abundant place I always look forward to checking into.”  

Words of recommendation by copywriter, Nina Saei



 
READ THE INTERVIEW
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From emailing users about changes to its terms of service to marketing its business account or even letting you know a payment was declined, Monzo copy is always true to the brand, and feels ahead of the game in setting the tone for how to put the user at the absolute heart of everything it does. Without trying to be your pal, or a cold distanced bank manager, Monzo hits the tone spot-on for modern banking, and raises the bar for the plethora of fintech apps emerging all trying to make a difference. Take note!


Words by freelance copywriter and content strategist, Hannah Ray
 
READ MONZO'S TOV GUIDELINES
Imagine Spotify Wrapped, but it’s for your year in words. What stories did you devour? What phrases were on the tip of your tongue? If 2021 were summed up in one word, what would it be?

OR

What was the mood of 2021? Frenetic, playful, apathetic, suspenseful, deflated, compassionate? Write a letter to 2021, bringing that mood to life through your tone of voice. Tell 2021 how you feel about it, and why.

Hit reply to submit your prompt

Prompts compiled by Ettie Bailey-King, writer and inclusive communication consultant.
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“Scary isn’t it? The blank page.”

These are the opening words to the sharp words penned by writer & wordsmith Rishi Dastidar, in a piece titled The Indeterminate. It reads like a poem and manifesto wrapped up in one. If you’ve been struggling to put words on a page, then this will certainly ignite something in you, if not compel you to lay your own words on a page. 

 

Written by writer & poet, Rishi Dastidar
Read here.

 


We're hiring for a Head of Story. Someone to lead our creative team in carrying out world-building brand positioning and tone of voice work. Applications close tomorrow.

Apply here.

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Sonder & Tell · Sonder & Tell, Unit 28 · 40 Bowling Green Lane · London, EC1R 0NE · United Kingdom