On Business
My first business trip ever is over. I’m sure there are twenty-seven-year-olds who’ve been on multiple business trips. My brother isn’t even twenty-five and he’s always flying to Toronto “on business.” But this trip to Baltimore was my first time staying in a hotel, going to a workshop, and eating at restaurants on the company dime.
I highly recommend it, especially if the co-worker who goes with you also happens to be a good friend.
The best part of the trip wasn’t the workshop (although I liked it and it was mostly good copywriting information), the fun part is seeing new cities and checking out places I haven’t been before. While wandering around Inner Harbor we happened upon a cheering crowd of people, all watching these two guys breakdance and throw themselves around. There was a third guy, who reminded me of the fat guy on Good Times, who was the MC. They put on a good show: pulled volunteers out of the audience and made them have a dance-off, and were funny and entertaining. I like the randomness of just stumbling across stuff like that.
We also rode a paddle-boat around the harbor, drank frozen margaritas, ate dinner at a nice seafood restaurant and speculated about the various people listening to the piano player at the seafood restaurant.
And we discussed plans to take over our company, because that’s imminent.
After this trip I am convinced that these seminars are mainly giant money-making productions and that Mike and I could put one on, no problem. Mike didn’t seem so sure, possibly because he’s actually thinking clearly, but I maintain that a hotel conference room in Harrisburg, and a well-designed brochure would pull in all the people we’d need at $800/head (or less, just to get them there). Then we’d just do a powerpoint, tell stories from our vast experience, and read from copywriting books. Plus, make the participants workshop their projects, which would kill about two hours. The main goal is to be entertaining in front of a big group, which might be a bit of a problem. But as Mike pointed out, we could always come drunk.
So, I've been working on my brochure copy. What do you think? Would you come to our seminar?
Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York . . . Why should you have to travel to a big city?
introducing the first Central PA Online Copywriting Workshop!
Where: Harrisburg, PA
When: Sometime
Online advertising is the future of marketing. If you don't have the tools you need to write for email and the web, you’re already two steps behind. Get caught up . . . and then surpass your competition. You’ll learn how here!
At the Online Writers’ Workshop you’ll learn:
--how to make your email blasts even more effective
--how to write and design HTML emails that can increase your business immediately
--how to write for websites . . . no, it’s not the same as print advertising!
--how to create compelling copy for Flash movies
. . . and much more!
In addition to the online focus, you’ll also get a crash course in techniques that work for all mediums
--hot button and “trigger” words that spur your customers to action
--ten mistakes that most copywriters make . . . and how to avoid them!
--grammar rules for the new millennium . . . it’s not your grandmother’s grammar!
--tips for writing to young audiences who are “immune” to advertising gimmicks
--and the hot new trend: Copywriting on Mars!
About the facilitators:
Michael M. and Melanie H. are experienced copywriters who have written extensively for email, web, and flash, as well as print mediums. They are old enough to know what they’re doing, and young enough to bring a fresh perspective to the business.
Michael M. has been employed as a copywriter for about sixteen months. He can write a great "folksy" text email, and is wicked creative when it comes to HTMLs. He’s also written postcards for medical/dental offices and colleges. He believes all punctuation should be located inside the quotation marks, and enjoys teaching Copywriting on Mars.
Melanie H. has been employed as copywriter for three weeks, but wrote a lot before that. She is all about finding new ways to say “amazing” and “incredible” and frequently references the Synonym Finder. Recently she wrote her first flash copy, and the sales guys really liked it. Next on Melanie’s list of goals: to get herself a bottle of XanGo.
I highly recommend it, especially if the co-worker who goes with you also happens to be a good friend.
The best part of the trip wasn’t the workshop (although I liked it and it was mostly good copywriting information), the fun part is seeing new cities and checking out places I haven’t been before. While wandering around Inner Harbor we happened upon a cheering crowd of people, all watching these two guys breakdance and throw themselves around. There was a third guy, who reminded me of the fat guy on Good Times, who was the MC. They put on a good show: pulled volunteers out of the audience and made them have a dance-off, and were funny and entertaining. I like the randomness of just stumbling across stuff like that.
We also rode a paddle-boat around the harbor, drank frozen margaritas, ate dinner at a nice seafood restaurant and speculated about the various people listening to the piano player at the seafood restaurant.
And we discussed plans to take over our company, because that’s imminent.
After this trip I am convinced that these seminars are mainly giant money-making productions and that Mike and I could put one on, no problem. Mike didn’t seem so sure, possibly because he’s actually thinking clearly, but I maintain that a hotel conference room in Harrisburg, and a well-designed brochure would pull in all the people we’d need at $800/head (or less, just to get them there). Then we’d just do a powerpoint, tell stories from our vast experience, and read from copywriting books. Plus, make the participants workshop their projects, which would kill about two hours. The main goal is to be entertaining in front of a big group, which might be a bit of a problem. But as Mike pointed out, we could always come drunk.
So, I've been working on my brochure copy. What do you think? Would you come to our seminar?
Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York . . . Why should you have to travel to a big city?
introducing the first Central PA Online Copywriting Workshop!
Where: Harrisburg, PA
When: Sometime
Online advertising is the future of marketing. If you don't have the tools you need to write for email and the web, you’re already two steps behind. Get caught up . . . and then surpass your competition. You’ll learn how here!
At the Online Writers’ Workshop you’ll learn:
--how to make your email blasts even more effective
--how to write and design HTML emails that can increase your business immediately
--how to write for websites . . . no, it’s not the same as print advertising!
--how to create compelling copy for Flash movies
. . . and much more!
In addition to the online focus, you’ll also get a crash course in techniques that work for all mediums
--hot button and “trigger” words that spur your customers to action
--ten mistakes that most copywriters make . . . and how to avoid them!
--grammar rules for the new millennium . . . it’s not your grandmother’s grammar!
--tips for writing to young audiences who are “immune” to advertising gimmicks
--and the hot new trend: Copywriting on Mars!
About the facilitators:
Michael M. and Melanie H. are experienced copywriters who have written extensively for email, web, and flash, as well as print mediums. They are old enough to know what they’re doing, and young enough to bring a fresh perspective to the business.
Michael M. has been employed as a copywriter for about sixteen months. He can write a great "folksy" text email, and is wicked creative when it comes to HTMLs. He’s also written postcards for medical/dental offices and colleges. He believes all punctuation should be located inside the quotation marks, and enjoys teaching Copywriting on Mars.
Melanie H. has been employed as copywriter for three weeks, but wrote a lot before that. She is all about finding new ways to say “amazing” and “incredible” and frequently references the Synonym Finder. Recently she wrote her first flash copy, and the sales guys really liked it. Next on Melanie’s list of goals: to get herself a bottle of XanGo.
posted by Melanie at 11:51 AM
