About this article

Read time:

4 minutes

Category:

Opinion

What to write when the light goes out

This week has witnessed the sad news that two celebs had passed over to the great stage in the sky. First there was ‘Firestarter’ Keith Flint, frontman of The Prodigy, then actor Luke Perry of Beverley Hills 90210 fame. We were sorry to hear of their passing – particularly as both were seminal figures in the lives of young Skouts.

As writers by trade we are used to turning our keyboards to any given topic, but the week’s events got us talking about obituary writing. While finding the story in some B2B topics can be challenging, we all felt that writing a final eulogy to someone, especially if you knew them, could be one of the hardest jobs of all.

So, what should a good obituary say and not say?

The key thing is focusing on life, not death. Positivity is vital. Cremation Solutions points out that the obituary should focus on the life of the person. “If the deceased person was a standout in life, make his or her obituary a standout as well. <Many> of the obituaries are dull and boring and <say> little more than the person died, the names of surviving family members and the funeral arrangements.”

Obituaries should also contain key facts about the person, such as when they passed on, who their closest relatives are, where they lived, when their funeral is or any donation information. However, with cybersecurity a growing issue these days, it can be important not to reveal too much personal information. Some experts say there is a real risk of identity theft based on information made public in obituaries.

As in many forms of writing, clichés are considered poor practice. This is mainly for the avoidance of misunderstandings. A cliché phrase may be construed differently by different people, and some may even be considered offensive or inappropriate. ‘Now happily pushing up daisies’ might reflect the deceased person’s fun view of life but might be upsetting for people who don’t get the point.

Some famous people have their obituaries pre-written so that they can approve what is going to be published about them after their death. While this offers some certainty it also opens up the risk of premature publication. Among the many premature and fake obituaries that have been published was apparently that of P. T. Barnum. The ‘greatest showman’ passed his obituary to the press to publish several weeks hence when in poor health, believing he would have passed on by this point. Unfortunately, he hadn’t!

The final point is humour. Death is not a cheery subject, but some people seem to manage to see the funny side of it. There are many examples. We found an obit written for American ‘baking icon’ Betty Crocker – entitled “Rich but no longer moist”. The text goes on to say how “she failed to rise” that morning. In her will she apparently “asked to be mixed up with 2 eggs and ½ a cup oil, mixed for 3 minutes on high speed, spread evenly, topped with walnuts and cremated at 1350 degrees for 45 minutes.”

Hmm. Not entirely sure this one is genuine!

About this article

Read time:

4 minutes

Category:

Opinion

What to look out for when selecting a tech PR agency

Content with your B2B content? How to make it worker smarter and harder to achieve your marketing goals

Browse more blog posts

Posted on
byJames Bentley
If you’re in the wonderful world of tech, selecting a PR agency will be one of your big decisions. The right tech PR agency will significantly increase your brand’s reputation, market visibility and, ultimately, success. Here’s what you should be looking for: Industry experience and expertise Look for an agency with a proven track record in tech PR. They should...
Posted on
byRebecca Brown
There aren’t many B2B marketers out there who don’t spend a lot of time thinking about content and how to best use it to engage their audiences. In fact, over 70% believe content is becoming increasingly important in driving overall marketing success. But just because it’s the right thing to do, doesn’t always mean it’s done right. Audiences are being...
Posted on
byJames Bentley
Whatever stage your tech business is at, whether you are pre-revenue, or scaling up, PR has an important role to play in pushing you to the next level. As a staple part of Skout’s heritage, we have seen the tech PR landscape morph and shift over the years. But the core reasons why PR in the field is beneficial for...
Posted on
byJames Bentley
B2B market research serves many crucial purposes for companies working in the business-to-business (B2B) sector. Here we will look at some of its most common objectives. Understanding customer need B2B market research helps businesses to understand the needs, wants, preferences and pain points of other businesses. This knowledge can help with a range of things. These might include the creation...
Posted on
byIsobelle Yoxall
Podcasts have surged in popularity, boasting a staggering 464.7 million listeners globally in 2023, a number expected to climb to 504.9 million by 2024. This trend shows no signs of slowing down, as new content creators, including influencers, YouTubers, and B2C brands, are embracing podcasts. Even major corporations like Johnson & Johnson and McDonald’s have joined the podcast wave. This...
Posted on
byJames Bentley
Business-to-business (B2B) content marketing is a way for one business to reach and connect with other businesses in its target audience. Direct sales are not the focus of content marketing. Instead, it’s all about the creation of relevant and informative content that attracts and engages prospects from other businesses or organisations and converts them into loyal customers. Building trust, establishing...
Posted on
byJames Bentley
If you’re a business and you have a product or service that you know other businesses would love, it’s time to start your B2B PR journey. Your efforts should focus on building relationships, increasing brand visibility and fostering trust among these other businesses. B2B PR requires an approach that is tailored to the business landscape rather than the individual consumer...
Posted on
byJames Bentley
In the dynamic landscape of B2B marketing, understanding various strategies is crucial for marketing efforts to be successful. With the right approach, you can propel your company to new heights and forge fruitful partnerships. Here, we outline the four types of marketing that can help revolutionise your business. 1. Content B2B marketing Content marketing is the backbone of any successful...
Posted on
byJames Bentley
For businesses intending to reach and engage potential customers effectively, B2B email marketing is a cornerstone in today’s ever-evolving digital landscape. When used correctly, it can drive leads, nurture relationships and ultimately boost revenue. If you have ever wondered how to begin B2B email marketing, look no further than this step-by step guide. 1. Define your goals and target audience...
Posted on
byLee Simpson
Whether you call them Key Opinion Leaders, influencers or simply celebrities, leveraging the reach of influential people in various industries has long been part of PR strategies. The definition of what an ‘influencer’ is varies and the concept is nothing new; in our business a journalist can be an influencer, able to shape public opinion and raise awareness of new...

Send us a message

Download The B2B business relationship report

The B2B relationship renaissance – did digital kill it? The importance of relationships throughout the customer buying journey. Please complete the form below and receive a download link via email.