Who Wants A Google Adwords Coupon Worth $75?

Posted on | September 3, 2010 | No Comments

I’m feeling a bit sheepish. My good friend and Blogging for Dummies co-author Shane Birley of Left Right Minds gave me a Google Adwords coupon worth $100 to promote my business website a few weeks ago. I totally forgot to redeem it and now it’s value has depreciated to $75. That sucks. I can’t even use the coupon now, but you can! Interested? Read more

My Favorite TV Ad. The Kia Soul Hamster Rappers

Posted on | September 2, 2010 | No Comments

You can get with this or you can get with that. This is the ride.

We Are Now Members Of The Better Business Bureau

Posted on | September 1, 2010 | No Comments

It’s official. Our Vancouver-based website copywriting and communications strategy firm is now a Better Business Bureau-Accredited business. That’s what that new little blue and white button is all about in the far-right sidebar.

What’s BBB all about and what does it mean to you as an existing or potential customer? BBB’s are leaders in advancing marketplace trust. Read more

Time For Writers To Take A Stand

Posted on | August 31, 2010 | 2 Comments

I’ve decided to take a stand and change the world, one chair-bound writer at a time.

Writers are usually pretty easy to pick out in a crowd. In the younger, hard-scrabble days of winning our first scribbling gigs more out of bloody-minded pluck than actual talent, writers tend to be a bit skinny. As the years and the writing credits pile on, our bellies start sticking out even as our legs petrify into bony sticks.

Our jobs consist of too much sitting at the desk, tapping away on our keyboards as our veins atrophy and our arteries clog.

I was perhaps worse off than my contemporary wordsmiths. My professional sitting-down career combined with a general lack of exercise in my leisure hours. Too much television and video games. Not enough exercise. Read more

Copywriting FAIL. I Never Sleep

Posted on | August 26, 2010 | No Comments

Real estate industry people tend to use a full range of marketing materials, from business cards and a website to brochures, direct mail sales letters and even less common items like notepads and fridge magnets. They don’t always use copywriters to come up with their slogans, leading to unfortunate results like the one below: “I never sleep.”

That’s the reason I should hire this guy instead of the other ten thousand realtors who want my business? Because he’s up all night, ever night, singing “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Faith of the Heart”?

Yes, I know; the point was to get across that he’s available for his clients when they need him… in which case, how about this slogan? “I’m here for you.”

That way, he gets across that he’s available and will probably have to take fewer drunk-dialing home-selling clients at 3 am.

Copywriting FAIL (Or WIN?). Need A Trim?

Posted on | August 25, 2010 | No Comments

Maybe I’ve just got a dirty mind, but I think the marketing person who wrote the copy for this landscaping business ad is being a bit naughty. I mean, hedgehog? We all know who Ron Jeremy is, right? I noticed this ad while walking on 10th Avenue near Vancouver City Hall.

Someone Needs To Fire Their Media Liaison

Posted on | August 23, 2010 | No Comments

First, some background. Before I took on business writing, journalism paid the bills. I still do the occasional magazine article from time to time in addition to my business writing gigs. It gives me the opportunity to stretch my writing muscles. And I enjoy the research part of the work, getting to interview experts so I can dig deeper on topics I’m interested in.

Well, it’s mostly enjoyable. Until I come across the sad case of media liaisons who don’t know how to do their job. Read more

Advertising Copy FAIL. Is There More To Life Than This?

Posted on | August 23, 2010 | 2 Comments

I pass by this advertisement on the outside of a church in the heart of Vancouver just about every day. It reads “Is there more to life than this?”

The ad is an utter failure.

The advertisement is for a course that will get students thinking about God, spirituality and the meaning of life.

The problem is that the photo in the advertisement doesn’t match the content. I look at the image of the guy embracing the awe-inspiring sight of nature unbound. Read more

How To (And How Not To) Write A Bio For Your Website

Posted on | August 20, 2010 | 15 Comments

First, a quick hello to my friends and colleagues attending the Grow 2010 technology conference in Vancouver today. I wish I could be there. Sadly, other business took priority. Looking forward to seeing some write-ups on what went down.

I took the liberty of checking out the speaker bios and realized I also had the chance to provide a bit of a teaching moment. To wit, How To (And How Not To) Promote Yourself In A Bio On A Website:

First, showing how not to do it, we have Dave McClure of 500 Startups. Dave decided to take the quick attention-getting route of making himself out to be kind of a weirdo. I’m not sure it paid off for him, unless you subscribe to the idea that all publicity is good publicity — which hasn’t really worked out that well for BP, Conrad Black or the junta in Burma. Read more

Copywriting Tip 7. Avoid Typos

Posted on | August 17, 2010 | No Comments

Copywriters (and business owners who do their own business writing for some strange reason or another) must avoid typos in their communications and marketing materials. This should go without saying, but I’m still surprised to see little mistakes cropping up in press releases, newsletters and other materials my friends and colleagues send along.

Take care of the little things and the big things take care of themselves. When you can’t get the basics right, your customers start wondering about your credibility.

On a related note, I would also recommend staying out of the village of Crestwood if you can avoid it.

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