Tag Archives: Copywriting

The Secret To Success (or, Why You Never Set Foot In The Same Copywriting Market Twice)

A couple weeks ago we experienced what the local paper termed “The Storm of a Lifetime” – which left six feet of snow on the ground, many of the trees on my wooded three-acre lot broken and toppled over, and the power out for the better part of a week.
That it happened while I was [...]

The New Daughter vs. Writing Routine Death Match (or, Sleepless in Shasta)

It turns out that pitting our tiny new daughter against my previously comfortable writing routine results in the following: the wholesale slaughter of the routine.
Embarrassingly, I had to read my own blog to discover where my last post left off (hint: Zombie Copywriter attacks Slacker Building Contractor).
The Good News?

The new kid is doing great (she [...]

Have You Hugged Your Online Marketing Map Today?

Lately, there’s been precious little writing going on here – an odd reality given that you’ll find the word “writer” in this blog’s title.
It’s not sloth.
It’s a slew of new Web projects. A little teaching. A rare fly fishing vacation/road trip. And the happy byproduct of taking my own advice (I know, it amuses me [...]

The Harmonic Convergence of Overwork (or, Overload in the Age of Overload)

As self-employed gurus (everybody’s a guru nowadays), we’re supposed to embrace the concept of overwork like we do the idea of 24-hour connection.
“At least you’re not starving” is the uncharitable response from friends and colleagues when I mention it’s been busy, but these are the same people I taunt when taking a weekday off to [...]

Eight Great Reasons I’m Still a Freelance Copywriter

I used to spontaneously craft lists just for fun, and today seems like the perfect day to revive the practice.
And rather than beat around the bush, let’s just call this list the “Eight Gratifying Moments in the Life of Any Freelance Copywriter or Consultant:”

Reading a short, pithy, “The copy’s perfect” email from a client
Shipping solid [...]

Oscar Mayer Ad Says It’s “Blogworthy” – So Why Not Send Us To Their Blog?

You have to wonder what demographic Oscar Mayer’s aiming at with this new “Blogworthy” ad (scanned from Newsweek), though the real question is this: Is the mainstream really ready for Web 2.0-driven ad concepts?

Scanned from Newsweek, but aimed at GenX (and younger)?
And we’ve gotta ask: Will Oscar Mayer’s target market truly understand Blogworthy?
Me? I vote [...]

In a Recession, Go Where the Budgets Are Growing

Some of you may have heard a little something about a recession, and while the Intertubes are awash in strategies for freelance survival during the downturn, I thought a little actual data might be helpful.
After all, my contribution to the freelance survival conversation (and I think freelancesurvivalist.com would be a stunning blog name) amounted to [...]

Wishing Everyone a Prosperous (and Well Written) 2009

To all the writers who struggle daily for the right words – whether they’re written in the service of a client, novel or poem – I wish you a very happy, very literate 2009.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.

The Biggest Menace Facing Copywriters (So Far This Week): Sleepwriting

In my prior post, the concept of writer’s market oversaturation found a little traction, and today, I’m here to discuss the Biggest Menace Facing Copywriters Ever (So Far This Week):
Sleepwriting (or Zzz-mailing if our wacky group of sleep experts are to be believed).
The UK Telegraph reports on this sinister new trend, which threatens the very [...]

The Leaner Copywriter Underground, and One Writer’s (Satirical) Approach to Recession

Only a minute or two for a little stream-of-consciousness here dear readers, but I wanted to welcome you to the new, pared-down theme surrounding the Copywriter Underground’s content.
Call it an overdue change of hairstyle – a new, minimalist look & feel reflecting my somewhat slimmed-down approach to work.
And yes, I’m suggesting it’s a trend.
After all, [...]