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Catalog Copy: How to Get Experience/Samples?

by dbellm
13 replies
I'm interested in branching into writing catalog and product copy. But I don't have any samples I can show potential clients.

Any thoughts on where I could get a chance to build some experience in this specialty? I'd even be willing to do a little gratis work to get some samples.
#catalog #copy #experience or samples
  • Profile picture of the author Tinkerbell
    Why not just write some copy for a few or few hundred products you already own and use those for your samples? Anyone says "where can I get one of those?" instead of "Man, that was some good copy!" you're gold.

    Just a thought.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ghoster
    Go to Textbroker.

    Orders like this come around all of the time and you can think of it as on-the-job-training.

    You won't make much scratch, but you will learn to how to write efficiently.
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    On the whole, you get what you pay for.

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  • Profile picture of the author sadhansamanta
    Go to Fiverr: Graphics, marketing, fun, and more online services for $5 and get it done for just 5 bucks. :-D
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    FREE Four-Part Video Series That Is Going To BLOW YOUR TOP OFF On Internet Traffic!

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  • Profile picture of the author Jay White
    Catalog is where I cut my copywriting teeth. I wrote for the Bass Pro Shops catalogs for 6 or 7 years. (I could tell you 100 different ways to say "this lure catches big fish" and I assure you, I've used them ALL--several times!) Their headquarters is local to me, so this was an in-house gig. However, once I launched my freelance career in 2006, I was able to leverage my experience and get some additional work as well, writing for SkyMall and a few others.

    A few years ago, I put together a course called Catalog Copywriting Secrets that outlined how to write good catalog copy and how to market yourself to these folks. Got good reviews and sold pretty well, but it's not available any more. I took it off the market because AWAI asked me to add the marketing component to their current product, Secrets of Writing for the Catalog Market. This is authored by Herschell Gordon Lewis, who is the undisputed KING of catalog copy.

    So if you want training in how to market yourself to the catalog community, that program would be my suggestion. I have a special place in my heart for catalog, because it sharpened my short copy skills, which made for an easy transition into establishing myself as a go-to email and autoresponder copywriter for the big IM gurus once I went freelance.
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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    Originally Posted by dbellm View Post

    I'm interested in branching into writing catalog and product copy. But I don't have any samples I can show potential clients.

    Any thoughts on where I could get a chance to build some experience in this specialty? I'd even be willing to do a little gratis work to get some samples.
    1. Find a few mediocre ads.
    2. Rewrite them
    3. Contact the ad's poster, show them the new ad and offer your services

    If they hire you, you've got a sample AND a new customer.

    If not, you've got a sample to show OTHER potential customers.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4L3sfKpiR8
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    • Profile picture of the author dbellm
      Thanks everyone for the great ideas (and a few good laughs too). Much appreciated!
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    • Profile picture of the author Len Bailey
      Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

      1. Find a few mediocre ads.
      2. Rewrite them
      3. Contact the ad's poster, show them the new ad and offer your services

      If they hire you, you've got a sample AND a new customer.

      If not, you've got a sample to show OTHER potential customers.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4L3sfKpiR8
      Good advice, but make sure to clearly indicate if your pieces were used or merely "spec" exercises so you don't misrepresent your experience.

      In addition, don't just settle for finding mediocre ads. Identify which catalogs you'd like to write for... prepare a few (2-3) samples... then contact the company's creative department. Even companies who handle their catalogs with staff writers will often turn to freelancers when workload piles up.

      Catalog copywriting can be fun, fast-paced and extremely challenging. Space is premium, so you must make every word pay for itself.

      These days, I write mostly magalogs, tabloids and long-form sales pages. But I cut my teeth writing catalog copy -- and it definitely made me a better writer.

      Good luck!
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      Len Bailey
      Copywriter/Consultant
      Feel free to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter

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      • Profile picture of the author aidacopy
        have you thought about etsy?

        it's full of talented sellers whose product descriptions generally suck. find a seller you like and then rewrite a couple of product descriptions and see if they'll use it. that way you can do some screen shots for your portfolio, in addition to getting the practice.
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    • Profile picture of the author lometogo
      Originally Posted by sethczerepak View Post

      [LIST=1]If they hire you, you've got a sample AND a new customer.
      Do you use a Mac or PC? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tsfh1GNvpQ
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  • Profile picture of the author MagneticKopy
    Jay's program is KILLER.

    If you can't afford it, then get a copy of "How to Write Catalog Copy" by Herschell Gordon Lewis. It's the perfect "side kick" to have next to you while your write.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Originally Posted by Tony M View Post

      Jay's program is KILLER.

      If you can't afford it, then get a copy of "How to Write Catalog Copy" by Herschell Gordon Lewis. It's the perfect "side kick" to have next to you while your write.
      In his post (above), Jay said he took his course off the market.

      Alex
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      • Profile picture of the author Jay White
        Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

        In his post (above), Jay said he took his course off the market.

        Alex
        True. Once AWAI came to me and said, "How would you like to be a part of Herschell's course and add a marketing component to it?" I was like, "SOLD!" Being directly associated with the undisputed catalog copy master was too good to pass up.
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