I'm an industrial copywriter and write sales copy and marketing content for B2B industrial manufacturing companies. Why that field and industry? Well, I have 30 years of experience in the … Click to Read More
Wind Chimes – Recycling Your Content
I like recycling. It really bothers me if I can't find a way to reuse something. Of course, it's not always possible and some stuff does end up in the trash (preferably, the recycle bin). But if you think hard, sometimes things can be repurposed, saving you some serious cash. Or even making some of it. Here's a perfect example. Many moons ago, I used to work for a sign shop. We made everything from small placards to huge, lighted signs. I worked as a fabricator and helped wire our customers' signs. We used EMT, which is thin wall … [Read more...]
Cupcakes, Candlesticks and Content Marketing
In the late 1830's, two men were involved in different businesses. William was a candle maker from England and became well established in Cincinnati, Ohio. James, on the other hand, relocated from Ireland and apprenticed himself to a soap maker in that same town. Strangers in a new land, they might never have met. But … Fate struck a blow that brought these two men together to form a single company. They married sisters Olivia and Elizabeth Norris, daughters of Alexander Norris. The father-in-law convinced the young men to become … [Read more...]
B2B Web Copy – Why Meta Matters
I recently attended a four-day Web Copy Intensive seminar in Austin, Texas. The roster of speakers read like a Who's Who in the field of web copy and marketing. The topics ranged from content marketing to landing pages to lead generation and email auto-responders. In all, seven different aspects of online copy and marketing were extensively covered. I was there because even this old dog can learn new tricks. A B2B copywriter that doesn't keep up with new information and techniques is treading water. Eventually, he'll tire out and, well, … [Read more...]
Email Your B2B Documents to Kindle
I'm a freelance B2B copywriter and I really don't like briefcases. I really don't like briefcases because they're big and bulky and just one more item to check in at the airport. While I work from my home-based office the majority of the time, I do travel some. In fact, on Sunday I'm "leavin' on a jet plane" and heading for an intensive web copy workshop in Austin, Texas. And I want to travel as light as possible. One carry-on and one laptop bag; that's all I need. If I still had to drag that old briefcase along, repacking would be … [Read more...]
Social Selling in the New Internet Marketplace
Today's customer is extremely well-informed because of the Internet. Far more information is available now than when I was growing up in the pre-Internet age. Content marketing is used effectively to inform and educate our prospects. But... In 2015, marketers and salespeople need to step back in time and use an age-old technique if they are to be successful. Social selling must have a strong place in their strategy. Social selling promotes the salesperson's personal brand. Personal brands are oft forgotten in the Internet … [Read more...]
B2B Copywriter Makes 2 Industrial Strength Fails…and One Business-Saving Fix
The importance of backups in protecting your data...and your business. Screwed up my computer last night. It's not something that happens often, mind you. I've been fooling around with these marvelous machines for longer than many of my clients have been alive. But it does happen. Taking a break from my writing chores, I thought I'd fix a minor problem that's been nagging me for a while. When I did, I ended up playing the "dummy card." I do that on occasion. And that's why I keep a plan in place to protect me from my own stupidity. … [Read more...]
