Shameless Self-Promotion

While I love the wordplay of headlines, taglines and slogans, a big part of being a copywriter these days, especially in the online arena, is coming up with promotions, offers and sweepstakes to drive traffic and, hopefully, sales. With this in mind, I decided to compile some of the promotions I had a hand in when I was working at Torrid. We had a contest to win a trip to Forks, Washington, setting of the Twilight Saga; a $1,000 shopping spree you could enter daily; Rush Hour, our extremely limited-time sale; a free tote bag with $75 purchase; Haute Cash $25 off $50; the breast cancer awareness Power of Pink donation/discount; and the Hi School Model Search, among others.

Actual Self-Promotion

And while I'm at it, here's me in the online edition of USA Today! I was having a poster signed by chanteuse/songwriter V.V. Brown when she came to perform a live set at Hot Topic HQ and was filmed for Hot Topic's music site, Shockhound. Not copywriter-specific but still work-related and pretty neat to boot! It's not every day I'm in a national (international since online?) publication. Whee! (Click image to enlarge)

Sky High

While I was working at Lamps Plus, I would crank out hundreds of SKUs per week. Some of them lent themselves to descriptive, even creative writing, but sometimes, it was just a matter of getting as much done as quickly as possible. In this particular case, a customer actually took the time to tweet that she had liked my word choice for this item. I can't say I wasn't tickled! It is exciting to see that your work is making an impact on people. (Click images to enlarge)





I showed this bit of praise to my friend Brett, magazine editor extraordinaire, who was then inspired to write this amusing jingle about the bed. He did it in about 10 minutes!

SMTB by brettbayne

Lights, Canisters, Accents!

I am currently working as a freelance copywriter for lighting and home furnishings retailer Lamps Plus. I'd seen their stores in passing but never had any idea how diverse their product selection was. Here are a few of the SKUs I wrote. The challenge is to find what's unique about each item and discuss it in a way that doesn't limit the ways a person might use the item in his or her home. (Click images to enlarge.)

Jean Therapy

Here's an e-mail we sent out that we shot flat in that front-of-book editorial style. We found that during the downturn in the economy, women were more interested in buying casual outfits centered around denim that they could repurpose and mix and match.

Denim Does

Droid isn't the only thing that does! Being such a wardrobe staple, denim was also a huge driver of business. But as every woman knows, finding a pair that fits perfectly is never easy. Our goal was to make it easy by providing our customer with the best possible fit, be it with inseam lengths or the revolutionary comfort and shaping technology of Virtual Stretch Denim.

Big Primpin' up in NYC

Here's a look book that I wrote copy for last summer. Being that it's summer again, it seemed a good time to trot this piece out! Most people leave the Big Apple during the summer if they can; the theme of this look book was New York style sans the sweltering heat. I apologize for the poor text quality—not entirely sure what happened there! :( Transcript follows ....

Summer Getaway New York

In the city that never sleeps, fashion doesn’t slow down just because the weather’s sweltering. See how six New York hot spots are doing summer style in our new look book.

Upper East Side

Whether you’re shopping on Fifth Avenue or lunching with the girls at Café Boulud, looking pretty and posh is the name of the game. Classic silhouettes get dressed up with detailed fabrics and elegant accessories like pearls and dainty rose clips. And don’t forget your cardigan for a look that’s perfectly Park Avenue princess.

Upper West Side

Home to scores of influential writers, artists, fashionistas and their critics, the Upper West Side is refined and low key. You’ll fit right in with tailored shorts, sporty sandals and just a touch of something artful in your accessories.

SoHo

Head south of Houston for creative and cutting-edge fashion that mirrors the neighborhood’s thriving art scene. Its trendy, eclectic boutiques are where you’ll find that funky hat or that vintage scarf to wear to that loft party next week. Downtown style is just your style!

West Village

It’s all about living green, even in the big city, and a relaxed, down-to-earth style can be seen everywhere from community gardens to recycling drives. You’re prepped and ready to lend a hand in your favorite jeans and tops that are more carefree than couture.

Harlem

This uptown neighborhood’s got bold and brassy style, just like you. Get a pedicure, get your hair done, and rock your block with fierce urban wear, chunky accessories and wild animal prints. Then dance all night long at the hottest club in town.

Brooklyn

As a melting pot of cultures, it’s no wonder that style in Brooklyn gets a little wild. Do your own mixing and create get-noticed looks with pieces like distressed or dark denim, funky tights and shoes that’ll shake up the sidewalks.