Writing a customer-focused proposal is challenging. We want the customer to choose us — so our natural instinct is to focus on how awesome we are. To talk about all the relevant experience we have, all the things we can do. But hearing you blather on about yourself is a customer turnoff. Here’s how to flip your script and focus …

At Dragonfly, while editing proposals and reports, we’ve seen how evaluators help assess the quality of programs and initiatives. In this blog, I’d like to show you how a good editor can act like an evaluator — for your publications. We conduct needs assessments. Context is everything, and we want to make sure we’re sufficiently supporting your team. So if …

Dragonfly Editorial is an editorial agency that helps companies around the world with clear copywriting and precise editing. We’re looking for an B2B copywriter with proven experience writing corporate communications, thought leadership materials, and/or marketing materials. Our copywriters write about highly complex subject matter in industries that include architecture, engineering, and construction; IT; finance; healthcare and medical; and management consulting. …

For centuries, we’ve allowed language to bring baggage into our conversations, simply by not thinking about what we say or how we could say it better. It’s considered good productivity to “kill two birds with one stone.” It’s avoiding unnecessary conflict if you walk away because you “don’t have a dog in that fight.” Sayings like these may have been …

As writers, we know that verbs describe an action. So it’s funny that we often work so hard to make them less active. Verbs are strongest when in a decisive form. But we often drag them down unnecessarily. Learning to spot weakened verbs can help make writing clearer, crisper, and more energized.  Stronger verbs can help you deliver a stronger …

Did you know that there is a group of cloud junkies called The Cloud Appreciation Society? Well there is, and our very own Poornima Apte is a card-carrying member! We are thrilled that the accomplished, cloud-loving Poornima has joined Dragonfly Editorial as one of our newest copywriters.  She came on board just a few months ago, but has jumped right …

In support of Black Lives Matter, I wanted to share these resources that can help with inclusive writing and editing. National Association of Black Journalists Style Guide Supplements AP Style with terms and language usage of special relevance to NABJ’s membership and community Conscious Style Guide Rather than a “style guide” per se, a collection of articles and resources related …

We do lots of design work for federal proposals here at Dragonfly, but most of our design work is in other areas: technical, financial, medical, and more. Through our varied experience, we’ve found that the formatting guidelines for government proposals are unique. They are especially, well, rigid.  Strict guidelines are OK. Creatives are used to working within limits (open-ended projects …

Working from home may be music to one’s ears, but Dragonflies know that what’s playing in the background can be crucial to productivity. An informal survey of our staff revealed that we use a variety of sound strategies—from total quiet to eclectic music, baseball games, and podcasts—to maintain focus. Here’s what keeps the Dragonflies humming. THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE Some …