What Commas and Bistros Mean
for Marketing and Communications Today
Why Comma?
I love writing, and I love punctuation. I’m a life-long grammar dork and proud of it! Commas, in particular, have always piqued my interest because they are the great clarifiers. They can help break down complicated phrases and thoughts into more manageable, understandable segments. Maybe you’ve seen the t-shirts that say, “Let’s eat, Grandma!” and “Let’s eat Grandma!”—they tout the life-saving benefits of commas. While I doubt anyone’s fate has ever been determined by proper punctuation, it can definitely be the unsung hero of your brand and message.
The whole idea of business writing is that your audience isn’t stumbling over your words and can easily understand your message, especially if it’s a complicated one. If they’ve forgotten the subject of your sentence half way through the phrase because it’s not punctuated properly, you’ve done them (and your company) a disservice.
Why Bistro?
I’ve been to France six times and love everything about the place. Maybe except for the snails. But hanging out in a bistro with some nice food and taking in the energy around me, that’s magic. To me, bistros embody the spirit of discourse and encourage lively conversation and discussion. Do people talk about commas in bistros? I like to think so, but probably not. Do they talk about intriguing ideas they want to share with others? Definitely. And that’s what you’re doing with your brand and your messaging via your website, product materials, videos, PR campaigns, lead generation vehicles, and blog. Getting your marketing message out there to be discussed in the bistros your target audience frequents, whatever those bistros may be. You just have to find them and serve up the right message—beautifully worded, laced into your brand, and punctuated with panache.
Coming Up with the Name
Learn how Comma Bistro came up with its name. Click here to read the blog post.
Amanda Appleton founded Comma Bistro in 2017 to support others in creating fresh content that helps organizations advance their company stories and their buyers’ journeys. She has led messaging, web, and branding initiatives during her 20+ years in integrated marketing and communications. Amanda has worked at fast-paced companies including Spok, HighJump Software, and Metatec, guiding teams on their quest to explain complicated concepts as simply and eloquently as possible—and trying to get people to care about the Oxford comma. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and English, as well as an MBA from The Ohio State University. 
