Inkovations: Copywriting

Years and years ago I shared scripts to trigger a “Tidalwave of Testimonials” by asking clients for their valuable feedback.

Seven years on and testimonials are still very much worth their weight in gold. But getting them can be tricky. Our clients are busy; they may not know what to say and put on the spot.

So what can we do to...

When did you last ask someone to buy from you?

It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many B2B businesses neglect to do this.

Many people post daily on social media but don’t see the return on investment on their time in terms of sales. Simply because they never ask for the business.

While I’m not a social media...

As a service-based business, your About page is the most important piece of copy you’ll ever write.

One look at your Google Analytics will show you that this is one of the most-visited pages on your website.

That’s because, at the earliest stages of the customer journey, potential clients head straight there to see whether you’re...

In a world where you’ve got seconds to make a great first impression, potential clients need to ‘get’ what you have to offer – and quickly.

It’s like legendary film producer, Sam Goldwyn, put it;

“If you can’t write your idea for a movie on the back of a business card, you ain’t got a movie.”

And so it is with...

Anybody can just open a Google doc and start typing. Set up a WordPress blog, or a Tumblr page and start blogging. Anyone can just write stuff and everyone should. To write is human.

But that doesn’t mean anyone can write copy for a living.

Twelve years ago, I went to hear Tobias Hill read his poetry and have never forgotten his...

It was over 16 years ago that I cut my copywriting teeth working for the Cabinet Office on the Government’s UK Online campaign. Which included a memorable all-nighter at the infamous Cobra (emergency) press office.

Now we’re coming full circle…

I’m thrilled to announce that Inkspiller has just been accepted on to the...

Confession: I am a terrible proofreader.

I work with a trusted partner wherever possible (Hello, Lynn!) because I find it virtually impossible to proofread my own work.

After having written something over several drafts I literally cannot see the typos. And yes, there are always typos.

In my defence, even Harry Potter and...

Go to the gym every day! Never drink gin! Delete Facebook!

No. I’m not a big fan of wildly optimistic New Year’s resolutions either. With the notable exception of January 2001 when I gave up smoking as a student (it was either that, or give up electricity) I’m just not very good at sticking to them. Also I don’t do the gym and wouldn’t...

One way to make copywriting easier… is to stop writing.

This tip is so effective that one of my clients actually fired me after he put this into action.

Watch the video to learn more.

“Your audience is one single reader. I have found that sometimes it helps to pick out one person-a real person you know, or an imagined person-and write to that one” John Steinbeck

One of the key pillars to growing a successful brand is a deep understanding of who you’re there to serve.

Who are your users, customers or...