Copywriting Blog
The Hired Pens Plays ‘Rate the Spam’
/in Email/by Dan O'SullivanWho loves getting spam? Not me. But it’s inevitable that the occasional spam will slip through the filter, so why not have a little fun with it? In that spirit, let’s take a look at some actual spam I’ve received this month. I’ll give each an Awfulness Score between 1 and 10 (with 10 being […]
If We Can’t Eliminate Homework, Can We at Least Rebrand It?
/in Branding/by Anna GoldsmithDo I even need to say it? Do I even need to talk about all the research that suggests homework — especially on the elementary-school level — doesn’t “extend learning,” but just stresses out our already stressed-out kids even more? Is there anyone who wants to argue that a stopwatch and a math worksheet count […]
Plagiarism? Come on, You’re Better Than That.
/in The Writing Life, Writing Tips/by Dan O'SullivanWhat do Joe Biden, Melania Trump, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and countless disgraced journalists have in common? They’ve all been accused of plagiarism. With the Internet at our disposal, stealing someone else’s words has never been easier. If you don’t have any moral qualms about doing that, I can’t help you. But plenty of people […]
Meet Eric Twardzik, The Hired Pens’ Style Writer
/in Profiles, The Writing Life, Uncategorized/by Anna GoldsmithWhen you have a last name like “Twardzik,” you have to do some early grappling with the pain and beauty of letters. But once you’ve triumphed? Spelling all other words is child’s play. And thus Hired Pen Eric Twardzik began his writing career at the tender age of four-and-a-half. What did you want to be […]
Case Study: Refreshing the SynDevRx Website
/in So What Do You Do?, Web/by Dan O'SullivanYou could say the same thing about a lot of professions, but I’ll say it anyway: As a copywriter, the most challenging projects are often the most rewarding ones. Yes, it’s satisfying when you nail a tagline or marketing email without breaking a sweat. On the other end of the spectrum are those projects that […]
Anna Gives Copywriting Workshop to Startups, Changes Lives
/in Writing Tips/by Anna GoldsmithLast month, I gave a copywriting workshop to the eight startups selected for this year’s Accelerate NH program. In case you’re wondering, Accelerate NH was created to support “the next generation of innovative, growth-oriented companies in New Hampshire” (i.e. tax-paying businesses). Through Alpha Loft accelerator program these fledgling startups get free coaching, work space and, […]
How to Sound Like an Interesting Person: Tips for Writing Your Company Bio
/in Collateral/by Anna GoldsmithWe know. Company bios are so boring, right? Just a long paragraph of facts about Person X, maybe with a final throwaway line about how they like yoga and spending time with their family. (Yawn.) Writing a great company bio is difficult for a couple reasons. First and foremost, we’re taught from a very young age […]
Reviewing the New England Patriots Championship Memorabilia
/in Advertising, Catalogs/by Dan O'SullivanThe best thing about having your team win the Super Bowl — other than the false sense of personal achievement and the ability to claim superiority over other metropolitan areas — is loading up on the championship booty. The hat, the sweatshirt, the DVD … the heirloom porcelain plate? Yes, the heirloom porcelain plate! And […]
A Lesson in Crisis Communication, Delivered on the Subway
/in Public Relations/by Dan O'SullivanWhen I hopped on the MBTA (our subway) recently, I wasn’t expecting to attend a master class in crisis communication. But that’s just what happened, courtesy of a congenial conductor. We’ve all been there before. You’re stuck on the airplane runway for no apparent reason. Or a line at the grocery store that hasn’t moved […]
What’s Wrong with This ‘Woman Within’ Cover?
/2 Comments/in Catalogs/by Anna GoldsmithDear Woman Within, You showed up in my mailbox yesterday. As a professional catalog writer, I have some thoughts to share with you. First of all, the good: I love that you make clothing for plus-sized women. After all, why should style be the exclusive domain of the size 2s, right? And I love that […]
