Category: Copy Cat

Copy Cat- #HairProbs

Jasmin SessomsBlog, Copy Cat, Marketing,

#HairProbs we all have been there. I mean, how many countless times have you been tardy for something because of your hair?

Ever have a morning where you absolutely just cannot get your hair right? I find that that is me 90 percent of mornings. I take so much time prepping or planning a great style at night only to wake up in the morning and have to change it repeatedly.

Aussie is inspiring women to #DitchTheDrama and spend less energy on their hair and more time living carefree! The new line of products encourages women to never stress about styling with easy steps to tame testy tresses and detangle morning messes.

Not only does the commercial ad feature a hilarious man talking endlessly about his hair, but “Ditch the Hair Drama” copy flashes across the screen. Thanks to Aussie’s copy I now am well aware how ridiculous I sound about my hair.

Join me, #DitchtheHairDrama!

 

Read More

Monday Marketing Minute #travelhurts

Dana PhelpsBlog, Copy Cat, Marketing, , , , , ,

I ordered a coffee in the airport while rushing to catch a flight. A little extra something was attached to the coffee sleeve. I glanced down and saw that it was some sort of medication. I thought it was really weird that an aspirin product was being dispensed with my morning brew. I mean, I thought it was REALLY weird.

Once in my seat, I took a closer look. “When your elbow and the beverage card are no longer on speaking terms.” Okay, now they have my attention. Still a little odd, but just maybe it is a genius marketing ploy with clever copy, a creative way to offer product sampling to a captive audience and an invitation to engage on social media using the hashtag #travelhurts.

What do you think?

Read More

Copy Cat: Super Bowl Edition

Dana PhelpsBlog, Copy Cat, Marketing, Public Relations, , ,

This year we are bringing back our Copy Cat blog posts, a timely decision in light of all the debate sparked by the recent PRWeek article making the case for PR students no longer needing writing classes. While I agree that PR is much, much more than writing, it remains an essential element of what we do. My friend and fellow Counselors Academy member, Abbie Fink, says it well in her recent post on the HMA Public Relations blog.

As Abbie explains, the types of writing public relations professionals are asked to generate on a daily basis varies. We might switch from penning an in-depth strategy document or white paper to coming up with quippy copy for a social media post or email marketing subject line. Sometimes, the shorter the copy, the harder it is to write an effective message. That’s why most of our previous Copy Cat posts (and I suspect future ones, too) feature taglines, captions, intro copy and other snippets of writing that either make us cringe or wish we would have thought of it ourselves!

Today’s Copy Cat spotlight is on Byrdie Beauty and definitely fits into the later. Not only is it cute copy, but the writer has done something we’ve all been asked to do as PR pros, and that is to try to connect two seemingly unrelated things. How many of you communicators out there were asked to do something with the Super Bowl for your brand? It is easier for some than others. For example, our client PDQ is offering a “Super Deal for Super Sunday” with a BOGO on fresh chicken Tenders. Football and food. It is a natural fit.

But what about cosmetics? Unless you are Katy Perry’s stylist or represent one of the product brands she endorses, you might not be able to score a touchdown. (Sorry. That should make it in the Copy Cat: Terribly Corny Edition.) That’s why I love what Byrdie did with the email subject line that caught my attention: 9 Super Bowl-proof lipsticks that won’t come off on your nachos.

I like to ponder the thought process for other people’s good copy. I bet this one started with the football and food connection I already mentioned. Football…food…lips…lipstick. Do you think they got it in the first try? I bet not. Can you imagine the rejects?

9 Super Bowl-proof lipsticks that are real winners. Bleh.

9 Super Bowl-proof lipsticks that will make your man ask Katy WHO? Perhaps a little much.

9 Super Bowl-proof shades that will have you flapping your wings and licking your lips.  Uh, no.

It just isn’t that easy! I also think that throwing in a nacho reference when talking about all things style, beauty and fashion is just unexpected enough to be an attention-getter. That’s why I consider this copy from Byrdie to be a total score.

 

Read More

Writing Copy: Sing the Right Tune

Cherith AndesBlog, Copy Cat, Marketing, Public Relations, Social Media + Influencer Engagement, , ,

We always say that we love good copy, and we’re highly invested in ensuring that our messages carry the right tune. With the refinement of mobile apps and online notifications, brevity with clarity becomes vital to effective communication.

I love me some Pandora. (Pardon the grammar of that phrase—artistic license for effect.) This industry mogul has arguably dominated the internet radio landscape by connecting ground-level consumers with a hitherto restricted product: tunes. Gone is the barrier of cost with Pandora’s streaming music; every genre and ilk of music is instantaneously available (minus a few commercials here and there). Pandora even curates customized playlists for a range of style preferences–from spa music to cumbia–that can function as the DJ at an event. Talk about a budget-saver!

Undoubtedly, Pandora wields clout to “bend the ear” of the public. But trust is as easily lost as gained with this generation of tech-savvy consumers. And hence, it becomes all the more important that mobile app notifications provide accurate information—and copy—every time.

Pandora Mobile Alert

Take a peek at this recent mobile alert I received from my beloved Pandora. Although they haven’t lost my vote yet, Pandora should revisit one key to writing strong copy: there’s power in proofreading. Use this as a reminder to review your emails or documents one final time before pushing “send.”

 

Read More

What People Aren’t Telling You About Zappos

Dana PhelpsBlog, Copy Cat, , , , , 14 Comments on What People Aren’t Telling You About Zappos

It’s a More Monday! Maybe you’ve already heard the story, and now here’s a little bit more!

I love the Zappos copy on the box *almost* as much as I love my new handbag.

Abbie Fink and I might be the only women I know who don’t like to go shopping. For me, I think it is the go part that bugs me. Sure, I like to buy things that I really like, but I don’t like to spend the time to go searching or to aimlessly browse. I realize that that makes it a bit of a mystery as to why I’m so late to the Zappos game.

Thanks to Shonali Burke for piquing my interest in Zappos when I met her recently at the PRSA International Conference where she was carrying a very stylish handbag. Shonali admitted that she too had been slow to try the online shopping extravaganza that seems to have a cult-like following. She was quite pleased — and not surprised — with the exceptional service.

Now that I have tried it, sign me up as a satisfied customer. But maybe not for the same reasons that’s resulted in Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos, holding the title of media darling for quite some time now (all really great reasons, by the way). You see, I’ve heard so much about how fast it is that unless my new Kate Spade arrived in pizza delivery time, it would be hard to be impressed on that alone.

Oh, and there’s the return policy. I’m confident that if I needed it, it would have been as simple and wonderful as I’ve heard that it is. But try prying the beautiful zebra print handle from my sweaty little paws. Not gonna happen. So, yes, it arrived three days after my order. Yes, I know I can ship it back for free if I want. However, those are not the things that have made me fall handbag over heels in love with Zappos.

It’s the copy! Oh, how I love clever copy, and I don’t understand why people aren’t talking about the (apparently) super smart and creative copywriters at Zappos. Instead of the boring “here’s your shipping confirmation info” email, here’s the one I got from Zappos:

Hello Dana! Your order with Zappos.com has shipped. YAY! We’ve enclosed some tracking information, so you can follow your order to its final destination. It’s almost like being a superspy! Mission Control advises that you take a look at the top-secret information below.

Love that someone took the time to make it just a little more fun. So imagine my excitement when the box arrived, and in addition to my prized new accessory being inside, the outside was accessorized with more cute copy that reinforces one of the company’s brand messages of speedy delivery. Zappos, I was slow to come around, but I hope you’ll have room in your heart for one more fan. xoxox

What’s the best thing you’ve ordered from Zappos and what was your favorite part of the experience?

 

Read More