Latest Danny rubin Podcast Episodes
Avoid the Word Thing
Take My Word For It - December 02, 2019 05:02 ★★★★★ - 4 ratings“Hey, can you hand me that thing?” “Did you receive the thing I sent you?” “Do we have our things ready for the meeting?” The word “thing” can mean, well, anything. That’s why, as a general rule, let’s the word “thing” from our writing and speaking. Instead, replace the “thing” with the actual no...
You can always send your photos to the media
Take My Word For It - November 25, 2019 05:18 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsLet’s say your company had a big grand opening for a new office location. Sadly, no members of the media attended to spread the news. That’s OK. Just be sure you do this next…
Tell reporters they did a good job – build the relationship
Take My Word For It - November 15, 2019 11:59 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsIf you read a moving article in the newspaper or watch a compelling story on local news, do the unexpected. Tell the reporter and earn this key contact in the media…
Elevator pitch – what and why
Take My Word For It - November 08, 2019 10:35 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsThe best elevator pitch – in other words, a quick summary about what you or your company is all about – has two main parts: What and Why…
When to pick up the phone instead of email
Take My Word For It - November 04, 2019 05:05 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsEver been in a back-and-forth email chain with someone and the conversation takes too long to resolve? When is a good time to “pick up the phone” instead of emails and texts?
Feedback from a Recruiter
Take My Word For It - October 28, 2019 04:22 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsLet’s say you went through a recruiter to apply for a job. In the end, the recruiter emails and tells you the company went with someone else. What’s your next move?
Informational interview email outreach
Take My Word For It - October 18, 2019 09:22 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsAre you in the job market and need to set up informational interviews? Before you fire off requests via email, you must do something first…
Name-drops in email subject lines
Take My Word For It - October 11, 2019 09:09 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsDo you need to email someone you don’t know to seek a career opportunity? Here’s a great tip…
How long to wait before a follow-up email
Take My Word For It - October 07, 2019 09:50 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsAs we send emails to open doors in our careers, how long should we wait to follow up with people who don’t respond to our first message?
Don’t capitalize college majors and minors
Take My Word For It - September 30, 2019 04:28 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsDid you know you don’t capitalize your college major or minor? While a degree in, for instance…
Eliminate pronouns
Take My Word For It - September 20, 2019 10:16 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsHave you ever received an email in which the person wrote, “Hey, did you get that yet?” To which you reply, “Did I get what?” Pronouns slow us down…
Go one layer deeper
Take My Word For It - September 13, 2019 04:40 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsEvery sentence you write has the chance to be special. The key is to explore the details around the situation and incorporate those details into your sentence. For example, you could write: In the large exhibit hall, our team secured follow-ups with many potential customers. Let’s take the senten...
Say Goodbye to “Get” and “Got”
Take My Word For It - September 09, 2019 04:08 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsWant to know the two most overused verbs in business? They are “get” and “got.” Often referred to as “crutch verbs,” “get” or “got” can take the place of so many actions. “Today, I got the promotion.” “We get the chance to present tomorrow.” “They got up and left the meeting.” Do you get w...
Avoid the word “thing”
Take My Word For It - August 30, 2019 09:18 ★★★★★ - 4 ratings“Hey, can you hand me that thing?” “Did you receive the thing I sent you?” “Do we have our things ready for the meeting?” The word “thing” can mean, well, anything. That’s why, as a general rule, let’s the word “thing” from our writing and speaking. Instead, replace the “thing” with the actual n...
Exclamation Marks: OK for Business Emails?
Take My Word For It - August 23, 2019 07:56 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsLet's talk about exclamation marks in professional emails. Is it OK to use an exclamation mark...or two...or three...or 25? Well, it all depends. Here's a good rule of thumb. Don't use an exclamation mark until the other person does first. Some people find exclamation marks unprofessional. Others...
Exclamation Marks: OK for Business Emails?
Take My Word For It - August 23, 2019 07:56 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsLet's talk about exclamation marks in professional emails. Is it OK to use an exclamation mark...or two...or three...or 25? Well, it all depends. Here's a good rule of thumb. Don't use an exclamation mark until the other person does first. Some people find exclamation marks unprofessional. Others...
Number 1 Rule with Acronyms
Take My Word For It - August 19, 2019 04:38 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsHere's a simple communication tip. Whenever you use an acronym in your writing, always spell it out on first reference. Why? If you start off with an abbreviation, for instance, the FDA...you assume the reader knows what FDA means. And the first rule of strong communication...never assume the rea...
Number 1 Rule with Acronyms
Take My Word For It - August 19, 2019 04:38 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsHere's a simple communication tip. Whenever you use an acronym in your writing, always spell it out on first reference. Why? If you start off with an abbreviation, for instance, the FDA...you assume the reader knows what FDA means. And the first rule of strong communication...never assume the rea...
Why Less is More
Take My Word For It - August 12, 2019 04:10 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsHere's a professional tip: no one will ever complain you gave them less to read. Every time you write an email or document, ask yourself: Is this word necessary to make my point? What about the sentence? What about the entire paragraph? We all have short attention spans these days. Our goal as pr...
Why Less is More
Take My Word For It - August 12, 2019 04:10 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsHere's a professional tip: no one will ever complain you gave them less to read. Every time you write an email or document, ask yourself: Is this word necessary to make my point? What about the sentence? What about the entire paragraph? We all have short attention spans these days. Our goal as pr...
Classic Grammar Mistake on Facebook
Take My Word For It - August 05, 2019 04:01 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsHave you ever seen this grammar mistake on Facebook?A friend will write, "Happy holidays from the Miller's!"But the word "Millers" has an apostrophe before the "s." That is incorrect. We use an apostrophe to show possession. As in, "The Miller's cat got out again." "Miller" apostrophe "s" cat. Mi...
Classic Grammar Mistake on Facebook
Take My Word For It - August 05, 2019 04:01 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsHave you ever seen this grammar mistake on Facebook?A friend will write, "Happy holidays from the Miller's!"But the word "Millers" has an apostrophe before the "s." That is incorrect. We use an apostrophe to show possession. As in, "The Miller's cat got out again." "Miller" apostrophe "s" cat. Mi...
Why Handwritten Notes Matter
Take My Word For It - July 29, 2019 04:54 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsWe live in a digital age and don’t often need to communicate via paper and pen. That means we cherish a handwritten note in which the person offers their thanks, condolences or congratulations. We save the notes at our desks or file them in a special drawer. We don’t throw them out. If you want ...
Two Most Overused Words in LinkedIn Profiles
Take My Word For It - July 22, 2019 04:31 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsTake a look at your LinkedIn profile. If you’re in a leadership role, do you see the verbs “manage” and “lead” over and over? When possible, avoid duplicate words because they water down your message. On second reference, swap out “manage” or “lead” with words like “oversee,” “guide” or “supervis...
Planning a Meeting? Don’t Forget This One Step.
Take My Word For It - July 15, 2019 21:02 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsDo you have a big meeting on the horizon in which you’ll be in charge? Here’s a critical piece of advice: set the agenda ahead of time. Don’t walk in the room ready to wing it. Map out the discussion, put the agenda items on paper and think through how you plan to budget the time. For instance, c...
Say Goodbye to "I Don’t Disagree"
Take My Word For It - July 05, 2019 11:29 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsToday, let’s mark the official retirement of a worn-out expression we hear too often in business. “I don’t disagree.” What is so hard about saying the opposite – “I agree.” It’s OK to let others be right. In fact, when you validate someone’s opinion, the approach allows the person to feel importa...
Way to Prep for a Job Interview
Take My Word For It - July 01, 2019 04:15 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsDo you have a big job interview on the horizon? Before you step into the room, there’s one page on the company’s website you need to review. Why? 99% of job seekers will never check the page, and the extra effort might land you the job. The page? Press releases. Read about the company’s latest ac...
Smart Writing Tip for Freelancers
Take My Word For It - June 21, 2019 09:05 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsAre you a freelancer or looking for your next big gig? Here’s a crucial tip for email outreach that will boost your response rate. In your email, make sure you prove you’ve done homework on the company where you want to freelance. That means visit the company’s website and, in your email, highlig...
Why You Should Always Provide Context
Take My Word For It - June 14, 2019 05:24 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsEver seen this move on Facebook? Someone will post an update like, “So sorry to leave my job, but can’t wait for my amazing new opportunity – exclamation mark prayer hands emoji.” Then every single person who reads the update has the same question: “Well, what’s the new job?” When you share big l...
How to be Brief but Not Blunt
Take My Word For It - June 10, 2019 05:39 ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsRaise your hand if you have a boss who is too blunt over email. Actually…if you’re driving…please, keep your hand on the wheel. Busy people are often too short in their emails, and the tone can feel cold or distant. Instead, imagine you spoke to the person face to face. Would you only give a one-...
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