Headlines from my blog 'all copywriters now'

I have no idea what it costs to custom decal a Smart car from top to toe. I bet it's not cheap though. Will you look at this? Let's assume for a moment that Liane made a Waterstones-style decision to... [more]

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Here's how you do it.
I just saw this reposted on facebook by a friend. It appears to be the work of a brother and sister in Ontario (assuming it's not the very cunning work of an ad agency). Whichever way, it's great copywriting. So... [more]

Guardian Copywriting careers Q&A TODAY
Join me online between 1pm and 3pm today for the Guardian Copywriting Careers Q&A. Here's your link. [more]

In store sales from online search
I have a valued client with whom I regularly debate whether sales that occur in-store, or by phone, but which were initiated by a customer making a web search, are correctly considered as online or in-store sales. Well, this link... [more]

How not to write an SMS to your customers

Look at this! "Hi from Orange. We're increasing the price of your monthly plan by 4.34% from 8 January 2012. For more information please visit orangeworld.co.uk/r/planupdate " Got to love it, haven't you? They could have sent: "Hi! Here's an... [more]

Google crosses the ad divide
So Google is to introduce a new ad unit, 'Circulars', that serves an expanded, large format display ad as a result of clicking on a conventional search network or content network text or small display ad. In other words, click... [more]

A dreadful title... for quite a decent little book

'Copy. Righter.' Oh dear. A more juvenile piece of copywriting it would be hard to find than this title to Ian Atkinson's addition to the pantheon of 'how to's for wannabe copywriters. (LID Publishing, www.lidpublishing.com, £16.99) And yet... within the... [more]

Lazy old Orange

Orange (my mobile provider) texted me this morning. "Best Plan is our free service that reviews your mobile usage every 6 months to make sure you're getting the best value. We've just looked at your usage and the good news... [more]

News for newsletter strugglers

If you struggle to get together interesting content about your business to fill an e-newsletter, read this from the Woodkeepers in Highgate Woods in North London, snapped as I passed by this morning. Only shame is that as it's simply... [more]

Us, You and Our Staff

This scrap of paper is a soft, brown, recycled napkin from Pret A Manger. Look what's printed on it. "This napkin is made from 100% recycled stock (Pret's environmental department is militant, we're making headway)." But then comes the good... [more]

ASA CAP Code extends to online marketing

The end of innocence is upon us. If you're an entrepreneur or small business owner who has until now enjoyed the unregulated largesse of the online environment lending a little extra something to your marketing this is, I have to... [more]

Universal truths
Sent on to me by my son Jack, who is a student at Birmingham University, this is by the poet Luke Kennard who teaches at the University. Poets: universal truths. "My friend, your irresponsibility and your unhappiness delight me. Your... [more]