A quick reminder before I get into this piece… My fiancée Ruth and I…otherwise known as ‘Gluth’…are running the Great Grimsby 10k this year and raising money for the British Heart Foundation. For the many readers outside the UK who are wondering what on earth ‘Great Grimsby’ is…it’s where I’m from. Grimsby is a small fishing port on […]
Tag Archives: Direct Response
I am not an athlete. I can barely run. About two years ago, I managed to train enough to run a 10k around Richmond Park in London. It was tough. Since then, I haven’t run again. I wish I were fitter. My partner says she doesn’t mind. But still, I wish I were fitter. Everyone […]
Before I was born, I didn’t exist, which made it a lot harder to walk the dog. Sorry. A terrible attempt at a Groucho Marx-inspired joke that has nothing to do with what I want to write about today. Or does it? Stand back… Tenuous link approaching… You see, opening with my crap joke there […]
What’s the most important word in copywriting? Most people would say ‘you’. When I first started out in the industry, I remember one of the first direct response sales letters I wrote was for a personal finance newsletter. The idea was based around an article about the best ways to ask for a pay-rise. A quick […]
Andy Maslen is sick to the back teeth with kids and their smart phones… “Why doesn’t anyone read books anymore,” he laments. “Or just observe the bloody world go by? Everyone has their head in a smart phone these days.” We’re talking about one of the key skills you need as a copywriter… The ability to observe. Andy […]
Copywriting can sometimes be like a lonely game… There you are, hidden away in your office, staring out over the rooftops, to the pavilion across the way… You see a man walking his dog and consider the fact that a few hours ago it would have been you walking your dog on that same pavilion. You wonder […]
A few weeks ago I sat down to speak with expert copywriter, Vikki Ross (of Sky, The Body Shop and Hotels.com fame). The feedback I received was great and I’m glad so many people found it useful. You’ll be pleased to know I’ve got a lot more interesting interviews planned… In fact, next week, I’ll be […]
I’m an idiot. I’ve had my suspicions for a long time. But now I know for sure. You’re probably an idiot too. Sorry. It’s just the way it goes with us copywriters. Yes, I’m suggesting most of us copywriters are idiots. “Hold on, Glenn. Not so fast. Don’t you know I’ve got a top level IQ and […]
At this time of year, you tend to see every man and his dog laying down their predictions for the year… I find the exercise a bit ‘meh’, to be honest. Predicting how the world will change is a real fool’s errand. Don’t get me wrong… Keeping an eye on how general trends are shifting is worth […]
There you are in the grandly decorated lounge of Agora owner Bill Bonner’s 18-century chateau… Gathered with you are what you’ve been told are some of the best copywriters in the world… You’re excited. In fact, you’re only just starting to figure out what this copywriting lark is all about, so to spend time with real experts […]