Does your copy fall flat? Would you like to write with the punch and verve of your favourite writers? I trained as a journalist nearly 15 years ago. The two courses I took taught me everything I know about using powerful words. Over the coming weeks I’ll be sharing the lessons I learnt, and still use every day. Today I’m going to share one the writing trick that will add the energy you’re missing to everything you write. It’s rather simple. Lose the adjectives. “Adjectives should not be allowed in newspapers unless they have something to say.” Keith Waterhouse, author of Newspa ..read more

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve sat at my desk staring at a blinking cursor, willing the words to come forth, and multiply. Or spent hours writing and rewriting sentences because no matter what I do the wording isn’t quite right. But sometimes what you do before you even sit down to write is the key to improving your writing experience AND the words that spring forth. Inspiration can be hard to pin down. Words don’t always come when you need them. If you write regularly – for your blog or website or to produce regular social media content – you’ll know that sometimes the words spil ..read more

Your website is the digital front door to your business, welcoming potential customers and partners into your world. Choosing the right platform to build and manage this crucial business asset can feel overwhelming. Ready-to-go options, all-in-one options like Wix and Squarespace can seem simpler. At first. However, when it comes down to flexibility, customisation, and being future ready, WordPress is by far the best choice. Before we get into it let me clarify that I’m talking about self-hosted WordPress.org. NOT the WordPress.com hosted service. The latter is a proprietary hosting service ru ..read more

Creating your own website can feel like setting sail into uncharted waters. It’s exciting, yet the vast sea of options and decisions can be overwhelming. Fear not! I’m here to guide you through the initial, crucial steps of selecting hosting and securing a domain name, ensuring your voyage starts on the right foot. Why your website needs a solid foundation Imagine building a house. Before you choose the curtains or paint the walls, you need a solid foundation and an address people can find. Similarly, for your website, reliable hosting is the foundation that makes sure your site remains access ..read more

In today’s digital age, where social media platforms are bustling hubs of activity, you might wonder if your small business really needs a website. The answer is a resounding yes! While social media is a powerful tool in its own right, relying solely on it can leave your business on shaky ground. Let’s delve into why having a dedicated website is crucial for your business, even as social media continues to dominate the online landscape. The limitations of social media Social media is fantastic for engagement and reaching out to your audience quickly. However, it has its limitations. Ever notic ..read more

I’m busy planning and writing some super helpful content about creating, editing and optimising WordPress websites. Watch this space ..read more

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing! The post Hello world! first appeared on Virtual Assistant in Surrey - Emma-Louise Smith ..read more

I have to admit to feeling rather smug during the first lockdown. I was one of the lucky ones. And not just because I’ve been lucky enough not to be furloughed. Why then? Because I have my own espresso machine. And I know how to use it. No stomaching instant coffee for moi. God forbid! Admittedly, I am a bit obsessive about coffee. But in my opinion, life is too short to drink crappy coffee. Having lived in Australia for eight years of my adult life, where coffee is done proper-like, one of my concerns about moving back to Blighty  was the RUBBISH coffee. So before I left Sydney I t ..read more

Hey solo mama – are you ready to step into your power as a woman who chose to embark on motherhood alone? You are a powerful woman, a truth seeker. I feel you. I see you. I know you, because I’ve been you. I’ve lived through the doubts and fears and self-criticism that goes hand-in-hand with taking a path less travelled. And solo motherhood is a path that feels unfamiliar, uncharted. One that causes raised eyebrows and furrowed brows. It isn’t ‘the norm’ whatever that is!? You don’t fit comfortably into the little compartment everyone wants to put you in where everyone’s are exactly like their ..read more

Lockdown has brought a few desires and needs that had lain dormant in me to the fore. Both small, and large. The desire to bake – banana bread, sourdough – to withdraw, be creative and more mindful. But, when I get some time to myself, two bigger desires have absorbed my headspace over the last eight weeks. Firstly, I can’t escape the feeling that I want to live in the countryside, away from the traffic and hustle-bustle. In a cosy cottage surrounded by fields, woodland, horses and gardens, abundant with flowers. Where I can drink in the peace and quiet – when my tween daughter isn’t hounding ..read more