Mynewsday 2021 - Write well, be understood

Presenting Christine Calvert - Norway’s only text doctor and one of our great keynote speakers at Mynewsday 2021. With over 30 years of experience in writing and communication Christine has a deep understanding of how, and why, to create good stories. This and the future of writing will be the main focus of her session at Mynewsday on the 11th of November 2021.

Christine has a background as a copywriter, global web editor, course instructor and assistant professor. She has been voted “Course Holder of the Year” by Confex. She is also the author of the books “Write for the Web - short and sweet", “Write to Sell”, and "Clear writing, clear thinking". Today she can proudly introduce herself as Norway’s only text doctor and gives lectures on why writing good texts is so essential. During her presentation at Mynewsday, Christine will talk about why communication will remain just as important as ever in an ever changing world.

Norway’s only text doctor, tell us the story behind your title!
When I considered starting up my own company, I spent several months thinking about what I wanted to help people with, and what kind of value I could bring to the world. I wrote a list of lots of different names, and tested them on potential clients and friends. It turned out that "Tekstdoktor" was by far the winner.

Why is it important to create good texts?
No matter what kind of job we have, all of us need to write well - whether it's an email to persuade someone about something, subtitles on a video, scientific reports or marketing texts. Great writing builds reputation, trust and brand awareness in all channels.

What impact will it have on the future of communication?
As we move into a world where AR and VR, robots and chatbots become more and more important, the future of communication will be human: a mixture of texts, visual effects, sound, smell and touch (and even movement!) where the consumer is in the driver's seat, and brand experience and interaction is key. The basis for successful communication is an understanding of how we can convey any message in a meaningful way to other people. The ancient Greeks and their thoughts on rhetorics and storytelling are still relevant today, but we also need to have a keen understanding of each communication channel and our audience.

What do you think is important to think about going forward, as a communicator?
We all have to consider our values. What do I really want to work with? How can I contribute to making the world a better place? What is a meaningful use of my time? What do I know about that other people need? Being authentic is key to being trusted, useful, and valued.

How do you stay up to date with trends within communication and PR in your role?
My most important source is all the great people and companies that I know from all over the world. I also enjoy reading business books and attending webinars, and I loooove podcasts! Can I recommend one?

Go ahead!
Hidden Brain. Oh, and TED Radio Hour, Noble Blood, Fall of Civilizations, This American Life... The best podcasts make me feel like a better person.

What’s your best advice to get started with writing?
Just do it. It doesn't matter if your first drafts are awful. You can always rewrite later on.

Mynewsday is one of the biggest industry gatherings for marketers, PR professionals and communicators across the Nordics. The event takes place on November 11th and this year's theme is The Future of PR and Communications. Make sure not to miss it by signing up for free here!