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Caryn Starr-Gates's Blog – June 2014 Archive (18)

Boosting Your Online Presence

There are plenty of tactics you can take to gain more visibility for your business. Paid advertising is the most obvious—trade or consumer journals, newspapers, radio or televisions spots, billboards (you get the idea)—but in today’s tight economy many businesses are cutting back on that route and seeking less expensive or free alternatives.
Free publicity is earned when you or your company is mentioned in the press as part of a story (for example, when an event is being covered…
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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 8:08am — No Comments

Why Can't They Just Say What They Mean?

Somewhere along the line, people have forgotten how to use simple, clear language in their business communications and insist on falling into a big bucket of jargon-y goo. Marketing-speak and consultant-comm are creeping into the common lexicon like boll weevils in a cotton patch, changing how we talk to each other. It would really be terrible if this problem extended into private, personal, informal conversation and I am thankful I have yet to hear this.



My rant…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 8:08am — No Comments

Copywriter as Jigsaw Puzzler

It occurred to me the other day, as I was writing what seemed like gazillion little press releases from mere snippets of information, that writing copy is often like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

I love jigsaw puzzles. I have been known to complete a 1500-piece puzzle over a weekend in my spare time. It requires focus, an attention to detail, and an appreciation of order. The puzzler must be able to visualize the end result in her mind's eye and…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 8:06am — No Comments

What the Heck is a Copywriter Anyway?

A blog post by a fellow copywriter from the U.K. inspired me to write this entry today. The questions of "What do you do?" or "What is a copywriter?" are not unusual.



First of all, I am not a lawyer who works with copyrights. Copywriters work with copy--with text that promotes and sells in some fashion. They come up with concepts to convey the sales message, in tandem with the art director who conceives the visuals that complete the website, TV…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 8:05am — No Comments

Ghostwriting for Fun and Profit

I am now a published author, with the publication of a new book from Woodpecker Press titled, "Jersey Women Mean Business! Big Bold Business Advice from New Jersey Women Business Owners: Practical Pointers, Solutions, and Strategies for Business Success."

The book is a compilation of business how-to chapters by 72 individual women entrepreneurs from throughout New Jersey, who have contributed…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 8:04am — No Comments

Say it, Don't Spray it!

Why is it that so many advertisers feel the need to cram every single message they have into one ad? I'm sure someone told these businesses that with their limited advertising dollars, it's best to use the shotgun approach, put all their selling points out there, and see what people respond to.



Uh, not a great idea. Really, I would not give you a bum steer here. Keep your ad copy simple. If you cannot afford to run more than one ad for something, resist the…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 8:03am — No Comments

When Good People Say Bad Things Online

I have witnessed some serious downward spirals in interpersonal communication on social networks and it's quite disturbing. 



And many of these are from so-called communications professionals, copywriters, and marketing…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 8:01am — No Comments

You Get What You Pay For

Why is it that plumbers, electricians, and handymen are not questioned about their fees and consumers pay them handsomely for their services? 



How is it that lawyers charge several hundred dollars an hour to share their expertise, and clients pay for that without querying the attorneys about their qualifications that support this rate? (Dear Esquires, I am not picking on you, really - this is just to make my point.)



What is it about freelance…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 8:00am — No Comments

The New (or Not-So-New) Media as New Newsroom

Hurricane Sandy turned the social networks into virtual, 24-hour, non-stop newsrooms for many people. Whether or not you had power, whether you checked your pages on a desktop or mobile devices, it seemed everyone everywhere in affected areas (and beyond) were communicating, updating, and commiserating on the social networks.

Here's my take on the way new media helped keep us all infomed -…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:59am — No Comments

My interview with Claudia Stagg of AMORE Journey

A peek into my serial careerist lift and more. http://thecopyblock.blogspot.com/2013/02/guest-post-from-amore-journey-about-me.html

Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:56am — No Comments

Is Your News Really News?

Clients often call me to write a news release for them but quite often, I'm left asking, "What exactly is your news?" All too often, business owners or managers believe that what is news to them or important to them carries equal weight with the reporters and editors who will be receiving the press release release, or with the public that will end up reading…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:55am — 2 Comments

20 Great Reasons to Write & Publish a News Release

All your news is not fit to print -- here are 20 reasons to make your company's "news" appropriate for pitching to journalists or sending news releases to the media.

http://thecopyblock.blogspot.com/2013/05/twenty-great-reasons-to-write-and.html

Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:54am — No Comments

How to Work with a Copywriter

You have an idea, marketing project, website, commercial -- something you want to do to promote your product or service. You might even have retained the services of a graphic designer or art director but now need someone to put together the words. That's the copywriter. 





Writing copy is more than just spitting out verbiage, though.  …

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:52am — No Comments

Missing the Good Old Days

A nostalgic look at my days in ad agencies and a take on the "new world."

http://thecopyblock.blogspot.com/2013/09/missing-old-days.html

Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:50am — No Comments

Damn You Typos! Begone with You!

Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows that I am a stickler for detail, good grammar, and a typo-free piece of communication. I have been known to snarkily point out the errors on other people's website pages, in their social media posts, their articles . . . and restaurant menus are a particular favorite of mine. (Honestly, doesn't the Italian restaurant know how to spell "cappuccino?") I apologize in advance about my nasty habit but these things just jump out at me, begging…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:48am — No Comments

Make Sure Your Website Makes the Right Impression--And Builds Sales

As the old saying goes, “You only have one chance to make a first impression.” In the online world you have one moment, so make sure you make the best impression right away on your business’ website. Here are five ways to make sure your website works in positive ways to build your online reputation and identity. 

Read five tips about websites at…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:45am — 2 Comments

I Was Leading a Class on Creative Journaling When Suddenly ...

I was recently asked by an executive of an account I work on to lead a class for seniors as part of the organization's lifelong learning program. I was flattered and said "yes" although as a copywriter I was not sure what I could teach. My contact suggested "creative journaling"and I agreed.



I don't keep a journal and barely remember to update this blog but after a little research I had my outline done, a two-page handout for the class, and some ideas for our…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:43am — No Comments

Blog Posts: How Long is Long Enough?

I'm writing this today in response to a post in a LinkedIn group that brought up the issue of blog post length. There was an article cited about this and we were asked our opinion on the question of what is the right length for a blog. I suppose the issue of frequency is also at play here but as someone who barely writes on her own blog (my last entry was just over two months ago!) I am not going to go there today.



Disclaimer: I am not an SEO expert or…

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Added by Caryn Starr-Gates on June 1, 2014 at 7:40am — No Comments

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