Him: “Hello, we have a newsletter that goes to 50,000 businesses. Please will you write a guest article for us?” Me: “OK.” Him: “Thanks. That will be £3,000 please.” Me: “Hang on a minute. I’m a writer – I usually get paid for what I write, not the other way Read more…
It can’t possibly have escaped your attention that some Really Big Things are happening in the UK this summer. Especially here in London. One of those things is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, which Marmite is cleverly acknowledging with their limited edition ‘Ma’amite’ jar. Trouble is, etiquette guidelines say you should Read more…
How did you get into copywriting? I knew I wanted to be a writer from about age 13. It was the thing I was best at and most enjoyed at school. I even wrote on holiday and at weekends (and still do). What do you specialise in? Writing without waffle Read more…
There is a particular art to attracting fundraisers, sponsors and supporters for non-profits and charitable causes. Here are some ideas to help with your charity copywriting: Make it ‘rich’ Use all the senses – describe the dirt on the kids’ clothes, the colours of the flowers, how the spade sounds Read more…
Proofreading is important, because people judge you by the accuracy of your written communications. Here are my favourite examples of when writing has gone horribly wrong. Daily Mail article Britain’s biggest-selling hill-walking magazine apologised yesterday after publishing a route that would have led climbers off the edge of a cliff. Read more…
Yesterday, I flew back from Northern Cyprus. In passport control at Stansted, one of the officers was shouting “Next. Next. Next.” at the incoming queue. When people didn’t step forward quickly enough, she snapped “Jesus Christ. NEXT!” That’s English customer service for you. I do wonder what our Olympic guests Read more…