The Copywriter Underground

Talking to other copywriters is a treat — especially when they’re all good at what they do.
Sunday evening’s BlogTalkRadio “Nuts & Blogbolts” discussion left me with a page of scribbled notes, a brain buzzing with ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the vision of my fellow copywriters.
It’s not every day you get to sit down and [...]

I think I became a writer for a reason. One of those is that I’m not the most glib guy on the planet, and while I’ve given my share of presentations and pitches, there’s always a chance I’ll launch a brick every time I open my mouth.
So if the chance to hear what top copywriters [...]

The debate rages (in fact, it’s raged for years). But the “messy desk” folks (yes, that sometimes includes me) can now hold aloft a book that validates their somewhat disordered experience.
From Extreme Tech:
Sponsored by publisher Little, Brown and Co., the competition promoted “A Perfect Mess: The Hidden Benefits of Disorder,” by Eric Abrahamson and David [...]

I’ve done many pro bono projects over they years, and while most were not big jobs (fundraising letters, brochures, etc), they were often fun.
Three years ago, I agreed to help market the Mount Shasta Summit Century. It’s a very challenging bike ride/fundraiser in a mountainous Northern California area.
The ride raises money for youth sports [...]

I just stumbled on Kivi Leroux Miller’s “Freelance Writing for Nonprofits” blog and found a post that nicely illustrates one of my oft-repeated points.
Instead of taking whatever work comes down the pike, target the companies and markets you want to work for.

From Kivi’s blog:
It was yet another reminder to me to be thankful [...]

One of the projects soaking up my blog-writing time has been a new product launch for a software client.
In what us toothless geezers call “the good old days,” a launch involved some collateral, maybe a direct mail campaign, an ad and some PR.
Today, you can add Web copy, e-newsletter copy, online banner ads, blog pitches, [...]

When you’re busy, it’s tempting to write copy, ship it and forget it.
It’s a bad idea, especially when response mechanisms are involved. You have to dial the toll-free numbers, click the buttons, visit the landing pages, and fill out contact forms.
Or risk letting your client down. Even if it’s not your fault.

A recent project illustrates [...]

Deb Ng seems like a level headed sort. So when she starts ranting, I pay attention.
And while it sounds a little callous, I’m happy to see her casting off her SEO work:
I’m done. I’m keyworded out. I understand the basics of SEO, but honestly, can we think things through before throwing them out for [...]

Professional writers have never had more choices.
The amount of available freelance work is staggering.
Unfortunately, too much of it is of the low-paying, “SEO article” variety, where the finished product isn’t an “article” as much as fodder for search engines.
If you’re working at this level, but want more, then here’s an idea: why not divert time [...]

From the moleskinerie blog comes news of what has to be the ultimate writer’s office (especially for short-copy assignments):

“The team of researchers and designers based in London and at the Technical University in Munich developed the m-ch as an answer to an increasing demand for short stay living for students, business people, sports and leisure [...]