Dear Copy Bitch: I love the tips you give on confusing words. How ’bout these: further vs. farther. –Word Lover, NYC Answer: As long as you don’t tell me you’re a Yankees lover, I’ll answer your question. Think of the phrase “traveling afar,” and you’ll have a good hint. If you’re talking distances, use “farther” […]
Dear Copy Bitch: I keep reading that I need to engage my customers in conversation, and I feel that my team and I already do that. So why am I not seeing more “benefits” from this engagement? —Confused in Manchester, NH Answer: Indeed, the buzzword these days is “conversation.” Engage your customers and have conversations […]
Dear Copy Bitch: Tell me more about your process in nurturing leads and prospects. I’d be curious to hear how you go about it. —Curious in Canton, Mass. Answer: Dear Curious…for me, it’s not about the sale. It’s about honesty, building relationships, and, at the end of the day, creating something (i.e., copy) that helps […]
Dear Copy Bitch: My girlfriend says that when I say something like “Irregardless of what you think, I’m really a sensitive guy,” that I’m wrong and the word is “regardless.” Who’s right? —Betrothed in Sioux City Answer: Dear Betrothed…in this case, your girlfriend is right, at least regarding the word “irregardless” (Madame Copy Bitch makes […]
Dear Copy Bitch: I challenge you to come up with a marketing post involving Halloween. –The Instigator, Chicago Answer: No problem. Here’s a great post on marketing from marketing guru Seth Godin: “Why Celebrate Halloween?” (Note: Mr. Instigator, you didn’t say it had to be an original marketing post involving Halloween.)
Dear Copy Bitch: Any tricks for keeping compliment and complement straight in my thick skull? —Confused in Colorado Answer: Dear Confused: Think “complete” when thinking “complement,” which means “to go with or complete” (when used as a verb) or “something that completes” (when used as a noun). As a trick, just think of the “e”–there […]
Dear Copy Bitch: I have a copywriter working on my website copy, and she recently asked me who my competitors are. Here’s the thing: I know it’s a standard question, but we really don’t have competitors. No one does the work as well as we do. We really are different. How do I explain this […]
Dear Copy Bitch: My eyes hurt! I stare at my computer all day and make mistakes left and right–stupid mistakes, too. Do you have any tips for proofreading on a computer monitor? –Grumpy Proofreader Answer: Yes, Grumpy, never fear! The Copy Bitch feels your pain and has proofreading strategies when reviewing stuff on the ol’ […]
Dear Copy Bitch: Do you have any resources on how to create a Facebook business page and how to promote my new blog? —Suffering from Social Media Angst in Annapolis Answer: Sure do, Social Media Angst (okay, I’m starting to feel like “Dear Abby”). Honestly, HubSpot is my go-to for this stuff. Here’s everything you […]
Dear Copy Bitch: I really love all the tidbits of advice you’ve been giving on your blog. Here’s a “weird” question: name three “tools” you use in your business that the rest of us could use in ours. –Sam, Framingham Answer: Here are two tools I use a lot. 1. Color Cop: I learned about […]