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# Scott Flood Writing: Powerful Print & Online Copy That Gets Results

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://sfwriting.com/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Why can’t local government be run like a business?](https://sfwriting.com/why-cant-local-government-be-run-like-a-business/): (This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.)
- [Those ridiculous athletic facilities](https://sfwriting.com/those-ridiculous-athletic-facilities/): Your local high school’s athletic facilities are probably pretty impressive. So much so that they’re often a source of criticism, especially from older residents. “We didn’t need all those facilities or fancy scoreboards in my day!” “They must have twice as many fields and facilities as they did when I went to school!!” “Those egomaniacs on the school board just want to be like Carmel!”
- [Government’s purpose in 52 words](https://sfwriting.com/governments-purpose-in-52-words/): It’s the Preamble to the Constitution, and if you haven’t read it in a while, enjoy: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
- [I’m gonna sue you!](https://sfwriting.com/im-gonna-sue-you/): It could have been any one of a remarkably long list of things, but whatever it was, it made the individual angry enough that they deployed their most fearsome weapon. “I’m gonna sue you and make you pay!”
- [If you’re too busy to write, you’re exactly who should be publishing](https://sfwriting.com/if-youre-too-busy-to-write-youre-exactly-who-should-be-publishing/): I hear it all the time, usually delivered with a shrug and an apology: “I know I should be putting something out there, but I just don’t have the time to write.”
- [Thoughts on term limits](https://sfwriting.com/thoughts-on-term-limits/): Given that I was elected to my former role six times and served 23 years, you’d probably assume I’m not a fan of term limits -- and you’d be right.
- [The fun world of state audits](https://sfwriting.com/the-fun-world-of-state-audits/): The frequency of audits depends upon the type of local government unit, because some are bigger and more complex than others. Some scheduled audits cover a wide scope, while others might be focused on a single fund, like the high school’s extracurricular accounts. Our school district received a thorough audit every two years. And when I say “thorough,” I mean “bordering on invasive.”
- [What you probably don’t realize about local government](https://sfwriting.com/what-you-probably-dont-realize-about-local-government/): I started this weekly column a couple years ago, after serving more than two decades as an elected school board member. One of the first things I came to realize after taking the oath of office was how little I really knew about the workings of schools and the other corners of local government. I understood the basics, but nowhere near the level of detail I’d need.
- [A small footprint with a big impact](https://sfwriting.com/a-small-footprint-with-a-big-impact/): The quality of the county’s six public school systems is widely recognized as one of the primary attractions for residents. But the second reason is cited just as often. It’s the many beautiful parks and well-cared-for trails found throughout the county. In fact, there’s a grand total of 40 parks and better than 121 miles of trails within Hendricks County. Those parks and trails draw roughly 2,000,000 visits a year from locals and out-of-towners, says Katy Cummings, who may be the county’s biggest cheerleader for parks and trails.
- [No property taxes for seniors? No way.](https://sfwriting.com/no-property-taxes-for-seniors-no-way/): Local seniors tired of paying property taxes may be excited by Governor Braun’s recent suggestion that they should no longer have to pay them. If you’re preparing to celebrate, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.
- [Anyone can write copy, but here’s why you want a copywriter writing yours](https://sfwriting.com/anyone-can-write-copy-but-heres-why-you-want-a-copywriter-writing-yours/): You see it all over social media: advice, templates, and tools that promise to help anyone write their own marketing copy. It’s never been easier to get words onto a page. So why should anyone hire a copywriter? Because the gap between “getting words down” and “getting results” is a lot wider than most people realize.
- [Apologies for the doom and gloom](https://sfwriting.com/apologies-for-the-doom-and-gloom/): That’s why it’s hard for me to admit that I believe the next few years will be some of the darkest and bleakest for Indiana’s local governments, including those in Hendricks County. We’re talking about as bad as when the state became insolvent a decade before the Civil War. I’m not exaggerating or playing Chicken Little. Unless state government undoes or dramatically modifies its most recent property tax reform, you can expect to see significant changes in the services you count on.
- [Great ideas that aren’t](https://sfwriting.com/great-ideas-that-arent/): The “smart solution” that’s often floated when the cost of building schools comes up is sometimes referred to as the “little red schoolhouse” idea. It goes back to the day when school districts throughout the nation built those seemingly identical one-room schoolhouses. They didn’t need fancy designs or complicated engineering, so they were easy to duplicate. Advocates don’t see any reason for school districts to spend money having architects and engineers design unique buildings. Instead, the state could adopt three or four standard designs and let the schools use them for free, saving the taxpayers millions of dollars of those exorbitant architecture and engineering fees. Makes sense, right?
- [The candidates who make me sad](https://sfwriting.com/the-candidates-who-make-me-sad/): There were several candidates who made me sad, all for the very same reason. In their candidate statements and answers to interview questions, they made it obvious they had zero understanding of the positions they sought. Some even said things like “Well, I really don’t know what’s involved, but I’m sure I’ll learn quickly.”
- [Adding jobs to make you even smarter](https://sfwriting.com/adding-jobs-to-make-you-even-smarter/): (This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.)
- [Bad reasons to run for school board](https://sfwriting.com/bad-reasons-to-run-for-school-board/): Tuesday, May 19 marks the beginning of the filing period for people who have decided to run for a seat on their community’s school board. Between then and noon on Thursday, June 18, anyone who wants to serve on the board for one of the county’s six public school districts will need to file to become a candidate. In addition to submitting information about themselves that confirms their eligibility for school board service, they’ll have to provide a formal petition signed by registered voters who live in the district.
- [Thinking about skipping the primary election?](https://sfwriting.com/thinking-about-skipping-the-primary-election/): (This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.)
- [Does zoning cause problems?](https://sfwriting.com/does-zoning-cause-problems/): If you’ve motored west on I-74 by Crawfordsville in recent years, you may have seen the billboard. It claimed zoning doesn’t prevent problems, but only creates them.
- [If you use AI to write your marketing, at least make it sound like you](https://sfwriting.com/if-you-use-ai-to-write-your-marketing-at-least-make-it-sound-like-you/): (As published in Inside Indiana Business, 4/22/26)
- [What do you want to know?](https://sfwriting.com/what-do-you-want-to-know/): (This week’s civic education and engagement column from Danville’s The Republican newspaper.)
- [They got a golden ticket](https://sfwriting.com/they-got-a-golden-ticket/): No, you’re not envisioning college freshmen. I’m talking about third-graders. Eight- and nine-year-olds spending a school day becoming familiar with a college campus.
- [Those annoying yard signs](https://sfwriting.com/those-annoying-yard-signs/): Everyone hates campaign yard signs – except the people who make and sell them. You’d probably be surprised to learn that candidates hate them every bit as much as you do. They’re a royal pain in the anatomy.
- [Regrets, I’ve had a few](https://sfwriting.com/regrets-ive-had-a-few/): Clarks Creek Elementary opened in 2008 and worked exactly as we thought it would. Well, except for an issue we didn’t anticipate. Plainfield’s elementary schools have long been known for an amazing level of family loyalty and parent involvement. The now K-3 schools continued that tradition. But the 4-5 school … well, not so much. Despite the best efforts of the principal, teachers, and PTO leaders, parent participation was significantly lower. Students were only there for two years, so families didn’t develop long-term attachments to the school, and student enthusiasm was much weaker than what we were accustomed to.
- [My best copywriting mentor was a salesman who didn’t write a word](https://sfwriting.com/my-best-copywriting-mentor-was-a-salesman-who-didnt-write-a-word/): As published in Inside Indiana Business, March 26, 2026 People are often flummoxed when they learn I’ve never taken a class in writing, yet somehow manage to earn a living at it. I give much of the credit for that to a salesman three decades my senior.
- [You get the candidates you deserve](https://sfwriting.com/you-get-the-candidates-you-deserve/): Filing Day is when we get a preview of the annoying yard signs we’ll see in April and October. Assuming you’re a regular voter (and if not and you claim citizens have no impact, you’re part of the problem), you’ll choose from among the folks who filed in the May 5 primary. You’ll vote for our Congressman (the Indiana 4th has never elected a Congresswoman and no females are candidates for the seat this time around), but none of the other “big” offices like President, U.S. Senator, or Governor.
- [But the Supreme Court said …](https://sfwriting.com/but-the-supreme-court-said/): Decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court have shaped our nation and our daily lives. When students at local high schools recently decided to join their counterparts nationwide and stage walkouts to protest federal immigration enforcement tactics, the name “Tinker” quickly became a common sight (and cite) on social media chatter pages. It was usually accompanied by its central message that students don’t abandon their free speech rights when they step on school property.
- [Indiana’s misunderstood public school funding](https://sfwriting.com/indianas-misunderstood-public-school-funding/): School funding in Indiana is always a bit confusing … and it gets even fuzzier after every General Assembly session. Put in simple terms, it divides funding for school districts into two buckets: one for education and one for operations.
- [Have you become too smart to communicate effectively?](https://sfwriting.com/have-you-become-too-smart-to-communicate-effectively/): (As published in Inside Indiana Business 3/5/26)
- [Does the county coddle criminals?](https://sfwriting.com/does-the-county-coddle-criminals/): As with so many complaints and myths about local government, it’s rooted in a lack of understanding about what really happens and why things are done that way.  I’m neither a legal nor law enforcement expert, but I know a lot of both and they’ve always been happy to answer my questions. I’ll focus on two of the biggest areas of complaints: the value of plea bargains and why criminals don’t serve their full sentences.
- [Staying within their budget](https://sfwriting.com/staying-within-their-budget/): “They need to learn to stay within their budgets! After all, we have to!”
- [Enough time to teach what kids need?](https://sfwriting.com/enough-time-to-teach-what-kids-need/): The 1980s arrived with computer and keyboarding classes, expanded social studies, curriculum about various ethnic groups, and major expansions of health and psychological services. The 1990s saw more complex computer classes, lessons in CPR and AIDS prevention, and other “social” issues. Since then, most states have implemented high-stakes standardized testing programs. The Indiana Academic Standards establishes expectations that even the best teachers cannot attain because there just isn’t enough time to teach all the standards for every subject -- and each General Assembly session ends with new requirements for school districts to fit into already-packed class days.
- [Here’s why you can’t trust social media](https://sfwriting.com/heres-why-you-cant-trust-social-media/): Social media chatter sites are one of the worst ways to learn about local government or issues. A handful I’ve seen are well-moderated, but the majority are a consistent source of misinformation, generating unproductive hysteria and unnecessary anger. That worries me because Facebook and friends have become the primary source of news and information for a big share of your neighbors.
- [Cursing about cursive?](https://sfwriting.com/cursing-about-cursive/): There are many topics about public schools that get some people a little worked up. But few provoke the same emotional reaction – at least for folks of a certain age – as cursive handwriting.
- [The secret world of economic development](https://sfwriting.com/the-secret-world-of-economic-development/): That’s not a new development related specifically to data centers. Having been involved in creating communications materials for dozens of local and regional economic development efforts throughout the continental U.S., I can tell you that keeping company names and plans secret is a standard part of the process.
- [A state of giant high schools](https://sfwriting.com/a-state-of-giant-high-schools/): People who move into Indiana from other parts of the U.S. are often startled at the size of local high schools. When compared to their counterparts in other states – including the four that surround us – Indiana’s tend to be considerably larger. Part of that was driven by the 1959 school consolidation law that cut the number of school districts from 966 to 402 and replaced small local schools with larger consolidated ones.
- [Why so few snow days?](https://sfwriting.com/why-so-few-snow-days/): Parents who push for more snow days generally do so for one of two reasons. The first is simple nostalgia: they remember how much fun they had when their own schools shut down because of snow, and they want their kids to have the same experiences. The second is a concern for safety. Parents don’t want their kids waiting at a chilly bus stop or driving down icy roads.
- [Okay, so “dogs” is the first …](https://sfwriting.com/okay-so-dogs-is-the-first/): I don’t know how many other schools experienced an onslaught of emotional support animals, but the issue was important enough to emerge on the General Assembly’s radar. The matter was argued as thoroughly as is usual for the folks whose decisions govern your daily life.  If we let students attend school with service dogs related to a disability, does that obligate us to accommodate someone’s emotional support monitor lizard? Are all kinds of animals acceptable? And how do we decide whether this is a legitimate service animal and not just the family Fido wearing an official-looking harness?
- [School board is a terrible job](https://sfwriting.com/school-board-is-a-terrible-job/): Whenever asked to speak to a community group about serving on the school board, I’d describe it as a terrible job that nobody should be required to handle. The comment always provoked some polite chuckles, and I’d respond by stating I was completely serious.
- [You are the government](https://sfwriting.com/you-are-the-government-2/): The Facebook chatter page was all abuzz about some improvement the town’s council had approved and the impact it might have on the community’s property tax rate.  One commenter was especially furious that taxpayers were being asked to pony up for yet another project, and demanded, “Taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for that. The government should pay for it.”
- [I’d like you to think about something](https://sfwriting.com/id-like-you-to-think-about-something/): If running for office seems too overwhelming (it is emotionally and physically taxing), consider applying for one of the many appointed positions in the county or your town. Plan commissions, park boards, police commissions, liquor control boards – there’s a long list of roles local governments need to fill with nonelected members. While all these are appointed positions, they can have a significant long-term effect on the community by having to make recommendations like whether someone can build a data center. If you see a board or commission that interests you, find out who the appointing authorities are, and let them know you’d like to be considered for any future openings. Very few people do, so you’ll be remembered when the time comes.
- [The schools need to do something about this!](https://sfwriting.com/the-schools-need-to-do-something-about-this/): We count on schools to educate our children. But for some reason, a lot of people think schools should be responsible for much more. Specifically, the behavior and manners exhibited by those students outside the school day. You’ll see it frequently on those delightful chatter pages. Whether the current crop of kids acts up in fast-food restaurants, vandalizes the parks, terrorizes trail-walking seniors with their skateboard mischief, drives faster than they should, or calls someone else’ s child an offensive name, the response is nearly always the same: the schools need to do something about this!
- [The reason schools practice fire drills](https://sfwriting.com/the-reason-schools-practice-fire-drills/): December first was a Monday in 1958, and as the clock made its slow journey to dismissal time that afternoon, the elementary school’s students were getting antsy. There were 1,600 of them crammed into the school that month, reflecting the peak years of the Baby Boom.
- [How many registered Republicans in Hendricks County?](https://sfwriting.com/how-many-registered-republicans-in-hendricks-county/): That’s because Indiana law doesn’t call for registering voters by their preferred political party. You might believe you’re a Registered Republican, but it’s true only in your mind, because there’s really no such thing here in Hoosierland. (Only about half the states register voters by party, so we’re hardly unique.)
- [Who gets the blame for road problems?](https://sfwriting.com/who-gets-the-blame-for-road-problems/): If you use social media chatter group posts as a gauge, one of the biggest frustrations of Hendricks County residents involves anything to do with roads. Why doesn’t Avon do something about that horrible traffic on 36? Can’t Plainfield adjust the timing on those stoplights on 40? How come roads always get built or expanded years after they’re needed? Why won’t the town fix those potholes in front of Wal-Mart? And can’t the county figure out how to coordinate construction projects, so multiple roads aren’t being closed at the same time?
- [Myths about school athletics](https://sfwriting.com/myths-about-school-athletics/): When I became a school board member, I shared the attitude I’m sure many of you have about school athletics – that the emphasis and support school leaders grant it should instead be redirected toward academics.
- [Team of rivals](https://sfwriting.com/team-of-rivals/): Whenever longtime Plainfield Town Manager Rich Carlucci would call his Avon counterpart, Tom Klein, he’d ask how things were going “up there in North Plainfield.” While the athletes from each town’s high school may be fierce rivals, the two managers simply enjoyed ribbing each other. They also shared mutual respect and a willingness to help the other out whenever they could. It kept a lot of little issues from becoming big problems.
- [Ya gotta have some rules](https://sfwriting.com/ya-gotta-have-some-rules/): There’s a reason every form of sports – even 43-man Squamish – has a rulebook and officials to enforce it. I mean, look how many heated arguments we witness although individual sports already have established rules and officials. Can you imagine the chaos if every team just did whatever they wanted?
- [Handling immigration’s local impacts](https://sfwriting.com/handling-immigrations-local-impacts/): As the proud grandson of immigrants, I look at immigration through a different lens than many people in Hendricks County. When I see a Chin or Senegalese family at the supermarket, the park, or the local elementary school’s Open House, I see my grandparents struggling to adapt to a completely different culture in a place they had never been. They were small-town kids trying to provide for their own children in an industrial city thousands of miles from their families.
- [We just love to raise your taxes!](https://sfwriting.com/we-just-love-to-raise-your-taxes/): Want an obvious reason elected officials hate to raise taxes? They have to pay them, too. You may think the local school board members are just being greedy with other people’s money when they ask you to help them fund a referendum, but they’re going to have to fork over a lot of their own hard-earned dollars, too. They may not be living on a fixed income, but that doesn’t mean they have an unlimited income. (And before you point to their outrageous salaries, know that Indiana law long set school board salaries at $2,000 per year.)
- [The town is pushing this project!](https://sfwriting.com/the-town-is-pushing-this-project/): Of all the nonsense that pops up on local social media chatter pages, one of the most dependable appears every time someone intends to convert open land into some kind of development.

## Pages
- [Hiring a Professional Writer vs Using AI Writing Tools](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/hiring-a-professional-writer-vs-using-ai-writing-tools/): AI writing tools have made it faster than ever to produce drafts, outlines, and basic articles.
- [Why Hire a Freelance B2B Writer Instead of an Agency?](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/why-hire-a-freelance-b2b-writer-instead-of-an-agency/): Organizations that need business writing support usually consider two common options:
- [Freelance Business Writer vs Other Freelance Writers](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/freelance-business-writer-vs-other-freelance-writers/): If you’re searching for a freelance writer, you’ll quickly discover there are thousands of people offering writing services.
- [Compare Your Options for Business Writing Support](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/compare-your-options-for-business-writing-support/): If you need high-quality business writing—blogs, case studies, white papers, ghostwritten articles, website pages, or customer stories—you generally have five options:
- [What Does It Cost to Hire a Freelance B2B Writer?](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/what-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-freelance-b2b-writer/): If you’re considering outside writing support, one of the first questions is simple:
- [How Long Does It Take to Write a Case Study, White Paper, or Service Page?](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/how-long-does-it-take-to-write-a-case-study-white-paper-or-service-page/): One of the most common questions organizations ask before starting a writing project is:
- [What Information Do You Need From Us to Start a Writing Project?](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/what-information-do-you-need-from-us-to-start-a-writing-project/): One of the most common concerns organizations have before hiring a professional writer is simple:
- [A basic overview of Scott Flood and Scott Flood Writing](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/): Business Website: sfwriting.comPrimary Service: Freelance copywriting and editorial services provided by an individual professional.
- [Website writing and rewriting services in Indianapolis, Indiana](https://sfwriting.com/website-writing-rewriting-indianapolis-indiana/): As the term suggests, website writing encompasses everything related to developing the text (known as “copy”) for a website – from page headings to subheadings to sales copy to FAQs (frequently asked questions) and more. Professional website writers understand that users do not follow a single path when they use your site, and that a search might bring them to any page, so they make sure every page will have the strongest possible impact.
- [Blog writing services in Indianapolis, Indiana](https://sfwriting.com/blog-writing-indianapolis-indiana/): Outsourcing blog writing to professional writers provides several clear benefits, including:
- [White paper writing services in Indianapolis, Indiana](https://sfwriting.com/white-paper-writing-indianapolis-indiana/): This page explains how white paper writing works and invites inquiries from prospective clients. Scott Flood is a professional white paper writer with decades of experience who helps clients nationally and locally enhance their marketing effectiveness, reduce risk, and make better use of their precious time by developing a variety compelling types of white papers from Indianapolis, Indiana.
- [Case study writing services in Indianapolis, Indiana](https://sfwriting.com/case-study-writing-indianapolis-indiana/): In simple terms, a case study is a communications tool that tells the world what you did for someone, how you did it, why you did it that way, and what the results were. Case studies can be one of the most effective weapons in your marketing arsenal. They’re compelling, powerful – and surprisingly versatile. Explaining how your expertise or products helped someone else achieve goals or reduce stress connects with your audience more immediately and memorably than merely sharing capabilities. They don’t have to be long or fancy, and all you have to do is share the facts.
- [Ghostwriting services in Indianapolis, Indiana](https://sfwriting.com/ghostwriting-services-indianapolis-indiana/): Ghostwriters are professional authors who develop articles, speeches, and other materials on behalf of others. The ghostwriter’s clients then publish those articles, speeches, and other materials under their own names. As their name implies, professional ghostwriters do this work for payment. More on that below.
- [Scott Flood is the White Paper Pro](https://sfwriting.com/whitepapers/): Heard about the power and value of white papers? Maybe you’ve thought about using white papers in your marketing or communications strategies, but aren’t sure where to start … or don’t have the time to do it yourself. Perhaps your own white papers aren’t producing the results you hoped for.
- [Scott’s Kindle books](https://sfwriting.com/books/): Across more than four decades of writing success, Scott has always made sharing tips about writing a priority. It isn’t that he’s trying to work his way out of a job … it’s that the more people know about what makes words more powerful and effective, the more likely they’ll see the advantages of turning to a professional.
- [Portfolio Single Template](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio-single-template/): Company Name
- [Portfolio](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio-4/): Design & Development
- [Home](https://sfwriting.com/): Scott Flood
- [There’s no reason to be crass](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/theres-no-reason-crass/): Not long ago, I ran across an article by a CEO of what appeared to be an impressive, progressive company. I expected to find a glimpse of useful wisdom, but was stopped in my tracks by the sheer amount of profanity and vulgarity he had woven into his words.
- [Are the wrong people sharing your story?](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/wrong-people-sharing-story/): I spend a lot of time performing research for projects, and I’ve discovered that many of the companies that have the best information do the worst job of presenting it. They have the expertise, but it’s clear that the wrong people are responsible for sharing what they know.
- [“Well, here’s what I think …”](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/well-heres-think/): Technology has been a great workplace equalizer, allowing everyone to perform tasks that once required specialized skills, and flattening organizational charts as companies reduce headcount.  But added responsibility doesn’t automatically equate knowledge or expertise.
- [P.S. I Love You](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/p-s-love/): Most people think of the postscript as a place to tuck cute or mushy messages at the end of a note to a loved one. In reality, postscripts can be a surprisingly powerful tool for marketers.
- [Stories simply sell better](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/stories-simply-sell-better/): He was a successful engineer with a nagging problem. It haunted him during his commute, in the shower, and when his golden retriever woke him up at 3:00 a.m. for a quick trip outside. Never was it far from his thoughts.
- [Nobody Cares About Your Mission Statement](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/nobody-cares-mission-statement/): I've stated many opinions in this space, but few are as likely to trigger a violent reaction as the headline of this article. Among many executives, mission statements are a sacrosanct cornerstone of corporate governance. But I'll stand by my statement.
- [You want people to feel, not think](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/want-people-feel-not-think/): I’ve seen organizations make a lot of mistakes in marketing communications, but one looms over all of them as the most common with the greatest impact. It’s the mistaken belief that the best way to motivate people to a course of action is to make them think.
- [Everything is a marketing piece](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/everything-marketing-piece/): “We don’t have to worry about the language in this,” the client opined. “It’s a proposal, not a marketing piece.” That’s a deadly comment I’ve heard far too many times.
- [Pissed-off people shouldn’t drive your marketing](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/pissed-off-people-shouldnt-drive-marketing/): There’s an awful lot of anger in today’s world. From the presidential campaign, to professional sports coverage, to long lines at the neighborhood java joint, people are quicker than ever to raise their voices and snap at people. They often aim that anger at companies -- maybe even yours.
- [Fight-or-flight and your website](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/fight-flight-website/): When you meet someone new, within the first few seconds, your brain absorbs and analyzes tons of information to deliver an instant read of what you think of that person. You react to a new website much the same way.
- [Copyright doesn’t mean a right to copy](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/copyright-doesnt-mean-right-copy/): I was leafing through the newsletter from a favorite organization when I saw they had committed an illegal act. On page three, they reprinted a brief item from Reader’s Digest. It was related to their mission, and they did include a credit line. But all the same, they broke the law.
- [Better ways to prufrede](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/better-ways-prufrede/): I’ve witnessed many changes in my career, and one of the most disturbing is a dramatic increase in the number of typos and other mistakes in materials produced by companies and organizations. I believe it’s the result of three factors: an emphasis on haste, a reliance on spellcheckers in software, and creeping ignorance about spelling and language.
- [It’s about people, not products](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/people-not-products/): Today’s companies offer an amazing array of products and services. Surprisingly, the best way to promote those products and services is to stop talking about them.
- [The dangers of lazy data analysis](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/dangers-lazy-data-analysis/): A well-known consumer marketer emailed what they thought was an irresistible offer. Using my address, they deduced that I must be a St. Louis Cardinals fan and presented me with a great deal on some Cards memorabilia. Bad move.
- [Marketing wisdom outlasts fashions](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/marketing-wisdom-outlasts-fashions/): Every time someone invents a new marketing communications channel, many of its proponents will cast aside what successful marketers already know, insisting that this one is really different, and that the old rules don’t apply.
- [Should your business get political?](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/business-get-political/): You have remarkably strong feelings about a current political issue, and as a business owner or manager, you see yourself as a thought leader. While you unquestionably have a right to make a public stand, maybe that’s not such a good idea.
- [The curse of education](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/the-curse-of-education/): I’d like to thank higher education and big business for my career success. Not because they taught me how to write clearly and effectively, but because they’ve rendered so many people unable to do the same, creating plenty of work for me.
- [Kvetching employees kill reputations](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/kvetching-employees-kill-reputations/): There’s a lot to bemoan about the state of customer service, but one particularly disturbing trend I’ve noticed is a growing number of employees complaining in the presence of customers.
- [Making numbers work harder for you](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/making-numbers-work-harder/): Sencha CEO Art Landro believes the world has created more data in the last two years than in the preceding 5,000, and that we’ll probably create even more than that before this year ends. In every aspect of our lives, we’re absolutely drowning in data.
- [Two rules to prevent PR disasters](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/two-rules-prevent-pr-disasters/): There was a time when a mention of United Airlines conjured the company’s enduring slogan, “Fly the friendly skies of United.” More recently, the storied airline’s name has been linked with less-friendly cultural references such as “Fight Club.”
- [Disagreeing isn’t inherently disagreeable](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/disagreeing-isnt-inherently-disagreeable/): Most of us have an inherent distaste for conflict. And somewhere along the way, society has reached a conclusion that disagreement is a bad thing. When it comes to business advice and decisions, that conclusion can be deadly.
- [See yourself through their eyes](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/see-yourself-through-their-eyes/): You’re acutely aware of the internal structure of your company, and the politics and complex challenges that spring from that structure. When a customer needs something, you mentally consider which departments will be involved and what it will take to make it happen. Your customers? They see you as a single entity.
- [The dangers of worst-case marketing](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/dangers-worst-case-marketing/): When making a case for their products or services, far too many companies’ sales and marketing efforts focus on the worst ones.
- [Fulfilling promises is powerful marketing](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/fulfilling-promises-powerful-marketing/): Looking for a truly powerful way to differentiate your company from your pack of competitors? What if you simply fulfill your promises?
- [An old marketing tool with new power](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/old-marketing-tool-new-power/): Looking for a better way to connect with customers and prospects in this technology-rich, multi-channel environment? Would you think I was crazy if I suggested using a channel that was developed in the early 20th century?
- [Survey says: now I hate your company](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/survey-says-now-hate-company/): I admire companies that make the extra effort to survey customers of their products and services. That is, except when their approach to surveying makes me never want to do business with them again.
- [The art of the apology](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/the-art-of-the-apology/): You screwed up. You handled something the wrong way, or you failed to handle it when you should have. Now what are you going to do?
- [Deceit is a Lousy Way to Start Relationships](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/deceit-lousy-way-start-relationships/): A greeting-card envelope appeared in this week’s mail. No return address, no stamp, just a colorful envelope. Curious, I slit it open and discovered an internet provider’s latest pitch, ingeniously disguised as a greeting card.
- [Does your website look incomplete?](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/website-look-incomplete/): Websites are living communications channels that change and evolve along with the companies and organizations for which they serve as an online presence. But there’s a difference between websites that are in a perpetual state of change and sites that appear to be incomplete.
- [Are you communicating with archaic expressions?](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/communicating-archaic-expressions/): Pardon me if I sound like a broken record, but I’m about to climb up on my soapbox, so don’t touch that dial! If that sentence made sense, you probably need to adjust the way you talk with colleagues and customers. If it didn’t make sense, you’re the reason why.
- [There’s no holy grail in advertising](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/theres-no-holy-grail-advertising/): Bring any group of business owners or managers together, ask them the most effective way to promote their organizations, and you’ll get a host of definitive answers. Oddly, few of those answers will be identical.
- [How costly is “free” social media?](https://sfwriting.com/published-works/costly-free-social-media/): It’s been said that the best things in life are free. It logically follows then that in the world of marketing, social media must be the very best thing. After all, it’s free. Isn’t it?

# Scott Flood Writing

> Scott Flood Writing (sfwriting.com) is the freelance copywriting and editorial services practice of Scott Flood, a veteran B2B copywriter based in Indianapolis, Indiana. With more than four decades of professional writing experience — including 13 years at advertising agencies in Chicago and Indianapolis before founding his firm in 1995 — Scott helps businesses and organizations communicate clearly, persuasively, and in their own voice. He works with clients across the United States in a wide range of industries.

## Core Services

- [White Papers](https://sfwriting.com/whitepapers/): Scott specializes in B2B white papers that establish expertise, educate audiences, and support sales efforts. He is self-branded as "The White Paper Pro" and offers free resources on white paper strategy.
- [Advertising Copy](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/advertising/): Print and online advertising copy designed to connect with target audiences and motivate specific behaviors.
- [Direct Marketing](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/direct-marketing/): Copy for direct mail, self-mailers, postcards, and other response-driven formats where measurable results are the priority.
- [Web Copy](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/web-copy/): Website copywriting and rewriting for organizations of all sizes, focused on clarity, persuasion, and best practices for online content.
- [Brochures & Collateral](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/brochures/): Sales sheets, brochures, presentations, inserts, annual reports, and other printed and digital materials.
- [Ghostwriting](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/ghostwriting/): Articles, bylined pieces, and other content written in the client's voice; confidentiality is maintained and no samples are shown.

## About Scott Flood

- [About Scott](https://sfwriting.com/about-scott/): Scott Flood founded Scott Flood Writing in 1995. He earned a BS in Communications & Theatre Arts from St. Joseph's College (1982). He is a frequent author on copywriting and marketing topics, has authored two locally focused books and a corporate history, and is active in civic and educational leadership in Central Indiana.
- [Client List](https://sfwriting.com/about-scott/direct-clients/): Extensive list of organizations Scott has worked with directly, spanning financial services, energy, healthcare, nonprofits, government, retail, technology, and more across Indiana and the U.S.

## Portfolio

- [Portfolio Overview](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/): Full portfolio index with samples across all service categories.
- [White Papers](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/white-papers/): Samples include white papers for Brightpoint, FAIR Inc., Hylant, and Equss covering topics from Foreign Trade Zones to school construction policy.
- [Advertising](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/advertising/): Ad copy samples for clients including Shapiro's Delicatessen, Chicago Hilton & Towers, and Irwin Union Bank.
- [Direct Marketing](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/direct-marketing/): Samples for Bloomington Hospital, Cragin Federal Bank, and Morellis Cleaners.
- [Web Copy](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/web-copy/): Website projects for Care to Change, MedHealth, Cedar Falls IA, and others.
- [Brochures & Collateral](https://sfwriting.com/portfolio/brochures/): Samples include Toyota of Indiana, Town of Avon annual report, Forest Discovery Center, and The Heart Group.

## Pricing & FAQs

- [FAQs](https://sfwriting.com/ask-scott/): Answers to commonly asked questions about process, pricing, style, turnaround, and working relationship. Includes typical price ranges:
  - Case studies: $350–$1,500 depending on format
  - White papers: $700–$1,600 depending on length
  - Web copy: $500–$3,000 depending on scope
  - Scripts: $700–$1,500 depending on length
  - Scott uses per-project pricing, works directly with clients (no subcontracting), and serves clients nationwide.

## Books

- [Kindle Books](https://sfwriting.com/books/): Scott has published two Kindle books on Amazon — *20 Easy Ways to Write Better for Business* and *20 Proven Tips for Writing Better Business White Papers* — aimed at business writers and marketing professionals.

## Blog

- [Scott's Blog](https://sfwriting.com/scotts-blog/): Regular posts on marketing, copywriting, communications, and civic topics. Scott also writes a civic education and engagement column for Danville's *The Republican* newspaper.

## Contact

- Phone: 317-839-1739
- Email: sflood@sfwriting.com
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/scottfloodwriting)
- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottflood)

## Optional

- [Scott Flood Writing Overview](https://sfwriting.com/scott-flood-writing-overview/): A structured summary of the business for AI and quick reference purposes.
- [White Paper Pro Resources](https://sfwriting.com/whitepapers/): Free downloadable guides on white paper strategy available on request via a brief form.