Should this Brit go Yankee?

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Gary336

Okay, cheesy title and possibly offensive to those of you from The South, but I do have a genuine question about copywriting courses and would like some help please.

I am seriously considering the AWAI copywriting course, which seems to be very highly rated, but was wondering whether I should choose a UK based course instead, because UK English is my natural tongue. I guess that I can use what I learn from AWAI in the UK and maybe I can learn to Americanise (ize) my writing for the US market. But does that really work, or will my lack of familiarity with American phrasing let me down?

(The UK based course that I am considering is by Blackford, in case you are interested).

Does anyone here have experience of writing for a foreign market and has it proved successful?

Thanks in advance.

We recently had a discussion on this very topic, and concluded that Brits generally know American English anyways... I doubt it matters.

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Andrew Gould

10 years ago

I don't have any experience with Blackford, but I've looked through the latest version of AWAI's course and didn't think much to it.

If you're just beginning your copywriting journey, I'd recommend starting with books:

Ultimate Sales Letter by Dan Kennedy - Does a good job of explaining the fundamentals.

The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joe Sugarman - Starts looking at more advanced concepts.

How to Write a Good Advertisement by Victor Schwab - If you only wanted one book, this would be it, but I think you'll get more out of it after reading the first two (ignore the terrible cover, this really is a classic).

Cashvertising by Drew Eric Whitman - A condensed encyclopedia of copywriting techniques.

These'll give you an excellent education quickly and without spending a small fortune on a course.

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Andrew Gould

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shawnlebrun

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Gary336

Okay, cheesy title and possibly offensive to those of you from The South, but I do have a genuine question about copywriting courses and would like some help please.

I am seriously considering the AWAI copywriting course, which seems to be very highly rated, but was wondering whether I should choose a UK based course instead, because UK English is my natural tongue. I guess that I can use what I learn from AWAI in the UK and maybe I can learn to Americanise (ize) my writing for the US market. But does that really work, or will my lack of familiarity with American phrasing let me down?

(The UK based course that I am considering is by Blackford, in case you are interested).

Does anyone here have experience of writing for a foreign market and has it proved successful?

Thanks in advance.

Gary,

Maybe shoot Alan an email and get his opinion...

Alan Forrest Smith Copy Writing Course | Orange Beetle

I've been following the Orange Beetle for years and love his stuff...he's over in the UK, sells a copywriting course, and is very successful.

You could always try to touch base with him and ask his perspective on the difference.

Thanks
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Alex Cohen

10 years ago

It's always better to learn something new in your native tongue... that way you only have one learning curve to deal with, not two.

Paul Hancox is a UK guy and offers an excellent copywriting course. I've seen the work his students produce, and it's good.

Alex

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Gary336

10 years ago

Originally Posted by shawnlebrun

Gary,

Maybe shoot Alan an email and get his opinion...

Alan Forrest Smith Copy Writing Course | Orange Beetle

I've been following the Orange Beetle for years and love his stuff...he's over in the UK, sells a copywriting course, and is very successful.

You could always try to touch base with him and ask his perspective on the difference.

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

It's always better to learn something new in your native tongue... that way you only have one learning curve to deal with, not two.

Paul Hancox is a UK guy and offers an excellent copywriting course. I've seen the work his students produce, and it's good.

Alex

Thanks very much for the information, I will take a look at the UK courses.

Thanks
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unifiedac 10 years ago

As an American I personally don't have a problem learning or reading material written in UK English. I do find listening to audio and video material where the speakers have a UK accent very distracting though.
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KreativCopy

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Gary336

Does anyone here have experience of writing for a foreign market and has it proved successful?

Hi Gary,

I use both British and American English depending on the client. Also, because I specialise (specialize

) in the Central Eastern European (CEE) market I have to temper my language accordingly. I think it would be useful to do a US course if only to broaden your horizons. After all, you know British English anyway. I always ask my CEE clients what standard they would like their copy in, and for the most part they don't really know. IMO British English and American English appear to be morphing into one in any case. (I know I may well be shot down in flames for that last comment

)

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Gary336

10 years ago

Originally Posted by KreativCopy

Hi Gary,

I use both British and American English depending on the client. Also, because I specialise (specialize

) in the Central Eastern European (CEE) market I have to temper my language accordingly. I think it would be useful to do a US course if only to broaden your horizons. After all, you know British English anyway. I always ask my CEE clients what standard they would like their copy in, and for the most part they don't really know. IMO British English and American English appear to be morphing into one in any case. (I know I may well be shot down in flames for that last comment

)

Thanks for the reply; I guess my greatest concern is not so much the language, but the lack of knowledge about common phrases and coming off sounding unnatural, but I suppose that learning from Americans would help in that regard.

Thanks
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KreativCopy

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Gary336

Thanks for the reply; I guess my greatest concern is not so much the language, but the lack of knowledge about common phrases and coming off sounding unnatural, but I suppose that learning from Americans would help in that regard.

To be fair, when I first started writing in American English I had to be careful and was always double checking myself, you are right that it doesn't come naturally and you can sometimes trip up. But then if you read what you have just written...it could be American English. "I guess" and "coming off sounding unnatural"... that's not necessarily British English Ol' Chap

Thanks
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Gary336

10 years ago

Originally Posted by KreativCopy

To be fair, when I first started writing in American English I had to be careful and was always double checking myself, you are right that it doesn't come naturally and you can sometimes trip up. But then if you read what you have just written...it could be American English. "I guess" and "coming off sounding unnatural"... that's not necessarily British English Ol' Chap

You are very right KreativCopy, I was a bit self-conscious using those phrases, but thought I'd see if I could go 'the whole nine yards' ;-)

Thank you for your support.

Thanks

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Steve The Copywriter

10 years ago

Gary,

Get on Drayton Birds list - you'll get stacks of useful material.

(One of the last original Madmen - he was great friends with David Ogilvy)

Essentially this means there are very few people alive with more marketing and copywriting experience.

And he's still going strong.

UK through and through.

He has a few books, seminars, events and dvd's that are well worth considering.

Many say they are a "must have"

Steve

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Gary336

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Steve The Copywriter

Gary,

Get on Drayton Birds list - you'll get stacks of useful material.

(One of the last original Madmen - he was great friends with David Ogilvy)

Essentially this means there are very few people alive with more marketing and copywriting experience.

And he's still going strong.

UK through and through.

He has a few books, seminars, events and dvd's that are well worth considering.

Many say they are a "must have"

Steve

Thanks Steve, I will check him out.

Thanks

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DylanCoogan

10 years ago

I used to see a lot of Americans telling English people they were spelling "colour" wrong (color for Americans) and "jewellery" (jewelry for Americans), but I think most of America has copped on by now.

If someone uses a phrase I don't recognize, I don't think much of it. There are so many American phrases, especially ones being used before I was born, that at least a few times a year an American will use one I don't recognize. I'm in my late 20s and sometimes I have to be careful what phrases I use around teens, because even with such a small age gap, they're not familiar with some of my slang.

I don't go around saying Da Bomb, if that's what you're thinking.

My point is, I think most Americans are getting pretty familiar with UK English, and it won't come off weird to them if they come across a phrase they haven't heard before.

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Alex Cohen

10 years ago

Originally Posted by DylanCoogan

I used to see a lot of Americans telling English people they were spelling "colour" wrong (color for Americans) and "jewellery" (jewelry for Americans), but I think most of America has copped on by now.

If someone uses a phrase I don't recognize, I don't think much of it. There are so many American phrases, especially ones being used before I was born, that at least a few times a year an American will use one I don't recognize. I'm in my late 20s and sometimes I have to be careful what phrases I use around teens, because even with such a small age gap, they're not familiar with some of my slang.

I don't go around saying Da Bomb, if that's what you're thinking.

My point is, I think most Americans are getting pretty familiar with UK English, and it won't come off weird to them if they come across a phrase they haven't heard before.

Spelling is a minor issue. Differences can be easily changed in the edit phase.

Word usage and local culture are major issues.

Remember: Determining what words a prospect uses to describe his problem (also known as the conversation going on in his mind) is essential.

And also - you don't want to use any words that make the reader stop and think, "What does that mean?". He may figure it out in a split second, but the damage has been done - reading flow has been interrupted.

Alex

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KreativCopy

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

Word usage and local culture are major issues.

This is very true! When you study ads in a different language to your native tongue this becomes all the more apparent.

I remember seeing a popular billboard ad in Hungary and when I translated it it made absolutely no sense. I just didn't 'get' it. It wasn't until later when I had studied the lingo a bit more that I got the 'pun'. The language was a form of slang which only a native would know.

Likewise, on another project I have been helping edit a book which is full of Australian terms, and I actually find this just as challenging!

But going back to the question in hand, as I said before, actually doing a course in US English if you are a Brit to my mind seems like a good idea, imagine all the phrases you will learn and insight into American culture you could gain - which to my mind will put you one step ahead of the competition.

You will be a copywriter in 2 "languages" not just one!

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Gary336

10 years ago

Originally Posted by KreativCopy

This is very true! When you study ads in a different language to your native tongue this becomes all the more apparent.

I remember seeing a popular billboard ad in Hungary and when I translated it it made absolutely no sense. I just didn't 'get' it. It wasn't until later when I had studied the lingo a bit more that I got the 'pun'. The language was a form of slang which only a native would know.

Likewise, on another project I have been helping edit a book which is full of Australian terms, and I actually find this just as challenging!

But going back to the question in hand, as I said before, actually doing a course in US English if you are a Brit to my mind seems like a good idea, imagine all the phrases you will learn and insight into American culture you could gain - which to my mind will put you one step ahead of the competition.

You will be a copywriter in 2 "languages" not just one!

I have come to the opinion that this is great advice and I could do with learning more from the great American copywriters.

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Gary336

10 years ago

Just to update: I decided to take the plunge and take a course from the great American salesman, John Carlton.

Thank you all for the advice and encouragement; the generosity of folks in this forum never ceases to amaze me.

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KreativCopy

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Gary336

Just to update: I decided to take the plunge and take a course from the great American salesman, John Carlton.

Thank you all for the advice and encouragement; the generosity of folks in this forum never ceases to amaze me.

Good luck...I am sure it will be fab...let us know how you get on

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Should this Brit go Yankee?

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