Clients Archives - Stephen Marsh Copywriter

Let’s Stop Being Negative About Being Negative

Posted 16 Feb 2020 by Stephen Marsh in Audience, Blog, Clients, Style, Tips, Writing

Busy?
This is a 4 minute read.

I was talking to a client the other day about negativity in copywriting. We discussed the notion that you should never use a negative word, like ‘don’t’ or ‘frustrating’ or ‘painful’.

And, reader, it was painful indeed.

It’s another of these nonsensical copywriting ‘rules’ – usually the product of:

A copywriter who needed to find a topic for a blog post
A client who trusted that blog post to be well-researched and informative
An understandable desperation to make copywriting a one-size-fits-all science – something that’s easy to do and judge for quality

In reality, copywriting is a creative balancing act. The skill of using the most appropriate techniques for a given moment.

So, for the sake of balance, here’s when I think negativity is a positive for the task at hand.

Please Stop Sulking About Copywriting Rates

Posted 26 Jan 2017 by Stephen Marsh in Clients, Copywriters, Pricing, Rates, Sales

Busy?
This is a 5 minute read.

I’m a copywriter. I’m freelance. I’m all for fair rates for good work.

But I’m also a human being. So I’m dead against grown adults acting like little babies.

An Incredibly Original Copywriting Blog Post

Posted 22 Apr 2014 by Stephen Marsh in Branding, Clients, Creativity

Busy?
This is a < 1 minute read.

A look at what it means to be original, how what you think is original isn’t original at all, and why Rush Hour and Life on Mars are basically the same thing.

Four Obvious Things About Running a Copywriting Business

Posted 27 Jan 2014 by Stephen Marsh in Business, Clients, Copywriters

Busy?
This is a 2 minute read.

Nobody’s asked, but you might be wondering why I keep stating the obvious.

Well, when I wrote Four Obvious Things About Copywriting, it was because these were things people sometimes seemed to forget.

The very basics of copywriting. The things you know instinctively, automatically, and from the moment you write your first piece.

They’re forgotten because they’re too obvious. They’re not creative. They’re not clever. They don’t make people say ‘Wow, you’re such an imaginative little fellow.’

But they do help sell things. Which is good.

Now, I’ve decided to state some obvious things about running your business. You can read Four Obvious Things About Running a Copywriting Business as a guest post over at Copywriter Collective.

How to Get More from Interviewees

Posted 21 Jan 2014 by Stephen Marsh in Clients, Guest Post, Interviewing

Busy?
This is a 3 minute read.

A guest post from Lauren Holden.

“So, tell me more about your inspiration for Plankton Portraits,” I asked the man responsible for bringing this intriguing exhibition to Lancaster’s Maritime Museum.

“Errr, plankton,” he swiftly replied, before adding, rather rudely: “What a stupid thing to ask!”.

Admittedly, I might have worded the question a little differently, but I was fairly new to my role as reporter at Morecambe’s The Visitor newspaper and I was still learning my trade. Just then, something my wise old dad told me during my years serving meals to the sometimes less-than-polite punters in a well-known restaurant chain popped into my head.

“Joe Public is an a**e.”

Even, it would seem, when you’re doing him a favour – and promoting the event he’s hoping will draw in a sizeable local crowd.

It’s the same when you’re interviewing copywriting clients for case studies, or getting to know a person so you can get to know their brand.

So, just how do you get the most out of an interviewee, a subject for a newspaper piece or a copywriting client?

When a Freelance Copywriter is a Seal of Approval

Posted 21 Aug 2013 by Stephen Marsh in Clients, Copywriters, Value

Busy?
This is a 2 minute read.

“Hello. What seems to be the problem?”

“Doctor, I’m just not sure what’s wrong with me.”

You slept eight hours last night, but you’re still tired. It’s like you didn’t sleep at all. You tell the doctor about that niggling pain in your abdomen. He asks about food.

You tell him you hate things you thought you loved, and love things you thought you hated. And, worse than that, sometimes you just throw up in the morning for no apparent reason.

It’s all since that wild night when you weren’t as careful as you could’ve been…

You know what’s causing your symptoms. You know what’s happened.

The positive test you did last week probably gave it away.

So what on earth are you doing here, and why are you pretending to be uncertain?

Negotiate Yourself a Better Freelance Fee

Posted 14 Jan 2013 by Stephen Marsh in Business, Clients, Sales

Busy?
This is a 2 minute read.

One of the hardest tasks as a freelance copywriter is working with the money side of things. It’s a shame, because for all of the job satisfaction and wonderful clients, it’s the money that matters.

If you’re not getting paid, you may as well quit copywriting and write your world-changing novel or script!

But negotiating a good deal with no experience is tough. Some extra advice can help you to organise your thoughts, set a price, and know how to get the copywriting fee you deserve, or the terms that suit you.

Does Your Freelance Copywriter Need a Big One?

Posted 02 Jan 2013 by Stephen Marsh in Branding, Business, Clients

Busy?
This is a 3 minute read.

Let’s face it – a big one makes it easier for everyone involved.

It can provide a handy shortcut for decision makers on whether they want to start a relationship or not. If you know that other people are satisfied, you can be more confident than ever that your freelance copywriter will satisfy you too.

But a big brand just isn’t the be all and end all. Size isn’t everything.

So why are so many copywriters eager to pull out their brands and measure them side by side?

Spare A Thought For Creative Copywriter Orphans

Posted 28 Sep 2012 by Stephen Marsh in Clients, Creativity

Busy?
This is a 3 minute read.

As a creative copywriter, inspiration often comes without notice – and not exactly when I need it to. A copywriter can write, sure, but also trades on creative ideas. Coming up with the right approach, the best angle, and the ideal way to sell to customers is the most important duty of a copywriter. When inspiration strikes, nothing is more exciting.

But sometimes, getting inspired is a source of frustration.

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