Dear Copy Bitch: I’m banging my head over here because, once again, I’ve encountered a client who thinks writing web copy and feature articles in third person is “right” and that “conversational” is unprofessional. I know you advocate conversational copy, so how do you handle this with clients? —Frustrated Copywriter in Boston Answer: I feel […]
Dear Copy Bitch: We’re kindred spirits: I’m a copywriter by day, and at night (for the last three years anyway) I’ve been working on a memoir. Lately, I just can’t seem to do either well, even though I try forcing myself to write through it. I’ll admit that sometimes I work seven days a week, […]
Dear Copy Bitch: I’m having an argument with the sales folks in my office (I’m in marketing). I’ve created a form for a white paper download on our website. The form asks people if they’d be interested in a sales call to talk about our services, and it provides a yes or no option. The […]
Dear Copy Bitch: It drives me nuts when people mix up adverse and averse. Any tips for readers? –Jillian, teacher, San Francisco Answer: Adverse means “unfavorable.” Averse means “opposed.” Examples: I had an adverse reaction to the medication. I’m not averse to seeing a film that doesn’t start George Clooney. A trick for remembering: who here […]
Dear Copy Bitch: I’d like your take on something. Lately, I’ve been dealing with clients who want to go in directions with their copy and marketing that I don’t think are in their company’s best interests. So what should I do? Take their money and do what they want? Or say no and walk away? […]
I received this email a couple of weeks ago (I’m not editing it): Hi, I am looking for someone to write web content for some of my clients and I would like to know what do you charge to write a 300-400 page. I have ongoing projects so this will be a long term project. […]
Dear Copy Bitch: Can you settle an argument I’m having with my SO? What’s the difference between “ie” and “eg”? –In Love in Indiana Answer: Use “i.e.” when you mean “in other words” and use “e.g.” when you mean “for example” (think of the e in e.g. and the e in example to help you […]
Dear Copy Bitch: You often say to avoid semicolons. But I want to know how to use them correctly. Any tips? —Punctuating in Poughkeepsie Answer: Here’s the good news about semicolons: you have only two rules to remember. The first deals with sentences where you’re probably itching to put a comma, period, or semicolon, and […]
Dear Copy Bitch: We are always having these debates in the office. I am always on the losing end, but I think I’m right. 1. Is website one word or two? 2. Do you capitalize internet? 3. Do you capitalize jargon phrases like “cost per click”? Do you put dashes between them? “cost-per-click” I know […]
Dear Copy Bitch: Aren’t long, complex sentences with big words more impressive, professional, and “important” sounding than the short sentences you seem to advocate? —The Curious Cursory Blog Reader Answer: Here’s a story for you: A few years back, I taught a first semester writing course to law students. The reason why this brave little law school hired […]