Portfolio/Services

Here are a list of the types of copy and communications I can help you with but it is not exhaustive so please contact me to discuss your requirements.

Or email me to view a presentation of my portfolio.

 Admin Support

Running a business creates paperwork: tasks that bog you down. I can help you with your processes and procedures, auditing, spreadsheets, databases and just about anything else that you don't have time to do but need to do to keep your business functioning efficiently.

 Adverts

Print ads only have a short life so it’s vital to get your words right if you want a return on your investment.  Get the words wrong, and it’s money down the drain.

 Audio Visual

TV or radio ads may be more suited to your business and the market you’re targeting and these require skills that are different from written copy—and you have to get your point across in about 30 seconds.  No pressure then!

 Brochures

These are often the communication lifeblood for many companies: they don’t just show what you do, they show what you are and your business values.  What does your brochure say about you?

 Catalogues

A well written catalogue makes it easy for your customers to buy from you and replaces the ‘in store experience’.  Your customers can see what they’re ordering, how big it is, what colour it is, how much it costs, when it can be delivered etc.  Your catalogue should say ‘open me and place an order’.

 Communication Strategy

Internal and external communications of all kinds are key to business success and a fundamental requirement if you’re looking to obtain business accreditations such as an ISO quality standard or Investors in People.

However, it’s often one of the most overlooked of all the business functions: it may be that it’s hard to quantify the benefits of implementing policies or it may be a case of ‘we all communicate so what’s the problem?’

In my experience simple, low/no budget changes can often make a huge impact on business relationships and performance.  I can either review your current strategy or work with you to implement measures that will really work.

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 Concepts/Brand Names

Have you got an idea for a product or a service and just don’t know what to call it or how to pitch it?

I can produce a range of ideas or ‘concepts’ which can include brand names, ad styles and methods.  This can be done solo or as part of a team that you may be using.

 Email Letters

Email sales letters are effective if they’re written correctly and targeted at the right market.  Your email will have a couple of seconds maximum before your target hits the delete button so it has to be good.

 Flyers

I love flyers because they’re a low budget, effective way of advertising.  They work amazingly well for local businesses and capture that oh so rare market that avoid the internet.  BUT—they have to say ‘keep me’ rather than ‘throw me in the bin’.

 Newsletters/Ezines

You can produce print or electronic newsletters for your customers, prospects, staff or associates.  Written correctly they can bring you direct business, referrals or happy employees.  Written incorrectly they can be, at best, a waste of time and money. 

Newsletters have to give something to your readers—just make sure it’s good.

 Point of Sale Literature

We’re all a captive audience when we’re stood at the checkout waiting to part with our cash.  If you have the opportunity, don’t waste it.  Well crafted flyers, posters, postcards, offers or information can be read or picked up and taken away—all with no distribution costs.  Bargain!

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 Postcards

Postcards are a popular alternative to sales letters as they are cheaper to produce and post.  They don’t suit everything but it may be an option worth considering.

 Posters

Posters need to either make people stop to read them, or be easy to take in if the reader is mobile (eg, whilst driving a car).  They can be used for sales but also for internal communication and the objective is the same; ‘read me—you need to know this’.

 Presentations

Lots of people hate presentations but half the battle is in the preparation and a big part of the preparation is making sure you get the words right—not only in the presentation but also in the accompanying literature or notes.

You may need a one off presentation or a generic set for sales or exhibition purposes.

As with everything discussed on this page there is a craft to writing the presentation which keeps the audience interested and encourages them to act as a result.  It isn’t about having bells, whistles and random sets of slide transitions that show how well we can use the software.

 Press Releases

It doesn’t matter what size your business is or what you offer, a regular focus on press releases will bring great results.  However, in my experience it’s the sustained effort that works not the occasional ‘let’s do a press release’ idea.

Before any press release can get to your readers it has to go through the editor who is, naturally, looking for submissions that will make their job as easy as possible.  I can help you do that, either as a one off or on a retainer basis.

 Proofreading/Reviews

If you already have copy published and it’s not bringing you the results you want or expect I can review what you have and offer constructive feedback.

I’m also happy to offer a proof-reading and editing service for any publications or manuscripts—mistakes only become expensive when they’ve been published so it’s worth spending some time on this part of the job and, sometimes it's easier for a stranger to spot the mistakes.

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 Sales Letters/Direct Mail

Well written, well targeted, honest and open sales letters are not junk mail.  There is a huge difference and, depending on your requirements, this method could be the central focus of your marketing.

To an extent it’s a numbers game: the letters are produced in bulk in order to bring a specific return of enquiries and sales based on industry standards.  Therefore, it can be expensive.

In order to maximise your return, you need to improve on the industry standard and I can help you do that.

 Sales Presenters

If you have salespeople, they often have a presenter of items that they can use as tools when they do their job.  A great presenter can support  your best salespeople.  It can also boost your middle of the road salespeople and help them to do a job that they might not do so well on their own.

 Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

Search engine rankings may be important for your website or blog. SEO is not an exact science and is constantly changing so it can seem like an uphill struggle to focus on it. However, there are some constants in good SEO and, once you have those covered, the process becomes much easier. 

 Web Content

Most businesses have a web presence these days even if it’s a one page ‘this is what we do’ site.  If you have a web site, or are considering one, make sure that the content achieves what you want it to achieve.

I have seen many web sites that tell how wonderful the company is, how clever the proprietor is, blah blah blah.  Meanwhile as a potential customer, my needs are ignored!  Say no more.

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