Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Making Copy

Alright! The Rand Old Opry, makin' copies!

Rob Schneider as Richmeister
"Richmeister"
Saturday Night Live

I'm writing web copy tonight. As my Twitter feed clearly shows, this is something at which my skill is subjective. There are some things I'm really good at; logic problems, cleaning up children's vomit, and Wheel of Fortune, just to name a few. My skill in those areas is considerable and irrefutable. Other things, however, such as writing web copy, fall into a more grey kind of area.

You see, I've only got one gear that I can write in: snarky. It really doesn't matter what I'm trying to write or how I'm trying to write it, it just ends up with this generally kind of snotty, almost funny sort of tone. It's been likened to Dave Barry's writing, only without the skill and with a serious attitude problem. Not that I have an attitude problem, of course, but it's just how things come out when my brain starts sending signals to my fingers. I've been told that I'm a very good writer by a great many people - almost enough that I'm inclined to believe it - but I also know that I'm limited in my scope.

So, whether or not I'm a good copywriter is largely subject to your opinion of what makes for good copy. My copy is unique, it grabs attention, and it is largely unlike the vast majority of web copy that you'll find out there. The last part is most likely where someone would find fault with my work as a copywriter. If you want the status quo, same old boring long form letter that's been written a thousand times already, I'm not your guy. If you want something that people will remember, though, and perhaps even - horror! - enjoy reading, I can give you that.

I'd make a reference to thinking outside of the box here, but then I'd have to punch myself in the face and take a few showers to rub the stench of buzzwords off of me.

1 comment:

Holli Swank said...

But you SAY 'thinking outside the box' all the time! ;-)