Dot's Giggle Spot #4

Dot likes a good laugh, as do most people in this world. It is something worth remembering when trying to come up with a new catch phrase, headline, or in this case - business name.

Take a look:

I think its hard not to at least smile, but then with two young boys I am often reduced to this kind of humour...

While it might be a little too much for some, I think this picture illustrates the point that a little bit of humour can go a looooonng way.

Jen x

BUG BITS - Bambooty

One of the things I love about my job is that I am always learning. In writing about my client's businesses and products I am exposed to all sorts of cool things that would otherwise escape me.

The following project was no exception, although sadly I may have done well to learn about modern cloth nappies about four years ago, when Hatchling No.1 was born. Sigh...

Well, there's no point dwelling on 'what if's, so instead I would love to show you the Easy Nappies flyer I wrote for the gorgeous Amelia at Bambooty. The brief was to create a set of care instructions that were light-hearted and fun, but got the message across clearly.

Here's the result:

And the inside two pages of the flyer, once prettied up by Amelia's clever graphic designer, looked like this:

If you'd like to learn more about Bambooty and these rather nifty Easy Nappies, click here.

There was a rather tight deadline to meet on this project in order to have the flyers ready for a special Bambooty event in September. It was so satisfying to knock that deadline out of the park with a big "Woo Woo!!"

Love it, love it, love it I do!

Jen x

5 things this copywriter won't do...

Its been a while since I provided an overview of what The Letterbug can do, so if you'd like to know more click here.

I also want to tell you about what The Letterbug will NOT do. Sometimes you just have to draw the line, you know? Its not so much a matter of pride as an unrelenting desire to do my best work for clients (ie. you). Oh, and if you're looking for a copywriter, this list might assist with the process!

1. I won't begin writing for you without a brief. Nope, sorry - no way. Now that doesn't mean you need to complete a questionnaire of epic proportions (unless you're into that kind of thing - I'm not), but a chat and a short briefing document provides an insight into your ideas and objectives for the project. Without a creative brief, how can a copywriter understand what you are trying to achieve?


2. I won't be silent throughout the project, relying solely on absurdly long questionnaires as a substitute for talking things through. Hey, as the baby of my family - talking is almost as important to me as breathing. What can I say, I am a communicator!


3. I won't do it my way - flexibility is everything. If your deadline is 7 days, then its 7 days. If you like email more than the phone - no problem! Inflexibility often amounts to a lack of empathy, which will limit a copywriter's connection with you and your target audience.


4. I won't go AWOL. Its all about communication people! Your copywriter should be easy to reach and attentive to your emails and voicemails, responding promptly. Settling for anything less can lead you down the path of serious frustration.


5. I won't work for you if I fail the ultimate test. Could you imagine hanging out with your copywriter over a beer/chardonnay/cosmopolitan/decaf soy latte?

So there you have it - 5 things The Letterbug won't do.

Collaboration is the key to successful marketing communications. Interaction between you and the copywriter should feel easy, with the writer asking relevant questions and taking care to understand your vision for the project. If you don't connect with one another, this could be tricky.

If you're considering a writer who WILL do any of the five things I have discussed, it might be best continue your search a little longer. You owe it to yourself. Finding the right copywriter will make the world of difference to your project. It will be the start of a great relationship and a sure fire way of getting a result you're happy with.

Jen x

BUG BITS - Green Goat

Its not every day a green goat comes into your life, but that is exactly what happened to me only a few short weeks ago. I met the fun and lovely Mel Quick, founder of gorgeous online children's boutique - Green Goat!

One of Green Goat's stand out items is a range of simple, traditional toys that inspire creativity and also happen to be great fun to play with. As August/September is the time when many publications are putting together their Christmas edition (eek!) we wanted to highlight the joy of traditional toys, with a flavour of the festive season:

How many of us have watched our kids playing with wrapping paper instead of the gift that it contained??!! (I've got my hand up, by the way!)


To find out more about Green Goat click here.

As this press release is the first in our PR plan for 2009/10 you'll hear more about Green Goat here later in the year.


Jen x

Dot's Giggle Spot #3

Worker No.1 - "Err, I doesn't look right Joe - I think something's missing..."

Worker No.2 - "Oh, Bugger."

Spelling is everything!

x

Grammar on the Porch #2

Is it just me, or do high school English classes slide further and further away with every year? Thank goodness I have "Grammar on the Porch". Good old Grammar loves to visit The Letterbug from time to time for a nice cup of tea and a natter about the English language. She knows we know - really she does. But just in case...




Image kindly supplied by Toni Grote - visit www.artisttonigrote.blogspot.com to see more of her beautiful artwork

That vs. Which

Now then dears, it seems to be that some folks get mixed up when it comes to that vs which. Using these words in some circumstances is straight forward and needs no explanation, but in other circumstances it can be ever so confusing. Let me sort it out for you dear.

RULE #1

That introduces essential clauses while which introduces nonessential clauses.


EXAMPLES:

• I do not trust aerobics classes that claim "Suitable for all ages" because they are often most unsuitable for Grammar (89 years old).

We would not know which aerobics classes were being discussed without the that clause.

• The aerobics class claiming "suitable for all ages," which appeared in the local newspaper, is on today.

The product is already identified. Therefore, which begins a nonessential clause.

NOTE:
Essential clauses do not have commas surrounding them while nonessential clauses are surrounded by commas.

RULE #2

If this, that, these, or those has already introduced an essential clause, you may use which to introduce the next clause, whether it is essential or nonessential.

EXAMPLES:

• That is a moment which you will cherish for the rest of your life.


• Those potatoes, which we've boiled already, do not need to be roasted quite as long.

NOTE:
Often, you can streamline your sentence by leaving out which.

EXAMPLE:

• That is a moment which you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Better:

• That is a moment you will cherish for the rest of your life.

Oooh, now doesn't all that talk about words make you thirsty? I fancy an Earl Grey with just a drop of milk thank you dear. No, no sugar - its the ruin of all the great leaf beverages you know. But that's another story....

BUG BITS - Healed

Together with my ever so talented friend and colleague, Prue at Gigi & Lulu, I recently worked on a PR campaign for Anna at Healed.

With springtime looming and a range of footcare products to promote, we decided that the Spring Racing Carnival was the perfect platform for Healed. After all, who doesn't want their feet looking and feeling great as they head out to Flemington on race day? (And a product that helps to prevent blisters is worth knowing about for any occasion where a pair of beautiful yet totally impractical shoes might feature!)

Dip your toe into this:

For more information about the wonderful Healed range, click here.

After a long, boot-wearing winter I know my feet are longing to be Healed - its spring in only how many weeks? What - its already here???

Eeeeek!

Jen x