Welcome to the first edition of the Hat Trick! The Hat Trick is a new public relations and marketing monthly newsletter dedicated to all of you who wear ‘many hats’ at work! Does writing make you sweat? We all have to communicate at work. It may be face-to-face, in an email or proposal, or presented orally before a group. Regardless of the format, communication is arguably the most important thing you do at work every day. Unfortunately, it’s also the one thing that a lot of people struggle with. Here are a few tips to help improve your writing: Try not to string nouns together one after another. One way to revise a string of nouns is to change one noun to a verb: Unclear: This report explains our investment growth stimulation projects. Clearer: This report explains our projects to stimulate growth in investments. Watch your word placement. For example, notice how the meaning of the sentence can change by the placement of the word "only." He only handed in one report. (This implies he may have done something else with a second report, or he was the only one who turned in a report.) This is clearer: He handed in only one report. The right word matters: Possible vs. Feasible. Something "possible" is capable of existing or happening if conditions are right. Something "feasible" is usually desirable and capable of being carried out successfully. Therefore, a plan might be feasible, but resistance to the plan may be possible. Seminar: Effective Business Writing A-Z Each month, the 20 Hats Marketing Institute offers a seminar on a marketing or communications topic for those of you looking to enhance your skills. Our next seminar is Effective Business Writing A-Z , a refresher course on writing in the workplace. This seminar will be Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 1:30-4 p.m., at the Perimeter Center in Oklahoma City. We have a range of seminar topics set throughout 2004. Click here to download a schedule! About 20 Hats 20 Hats provides many ways for you to receive the marketing and public relations expertise you need. The 20 Hats Marketing Institute is our educational arm. Through this we provide marketing education and training so that you and your staff will be able to keep your marketing work “in-house” if you choose. For those times when you need additional help and expertise, we’re available for whatever you need. Our years of experience mean you get accountability and results. Ask and We'll Tell Ever had a public relations or marketing question you wanted to ask, but didn’t know who to call? We have the answer! Click on ‘Submit Your Question’ here or at the 20 Hats home page. We answer most questions, either on the Web site or as a direct reply back to you. It’s free, expert advice, so take advantage of us!