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When the Earth Shakes, So Does the Narrative

Natural disasters have an extraordinary way of exposing far more than collapsed buildings and fractured roads. They expose governments. An earthquake is an unforgiving auditor. It tests the strength of infrastructure, the preparedness of emergency services and the resilience of communities. Just as importantly, it tests the character of those in power. The recent twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela have once again demonstrated a truth that extends well beyond South America. When catastrophe strikes, governments face two battles. The first is against the disaster itself. The second is against the story that emerges from it. Too often, the latter begins to eclipse the former. The Battle for Information In the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, reports suggested that rescue efforts struggled to match the scale and urgency of the devastation. Journalists arriving in some of the hardest-hit areas encountered not only scenes of destruction, but increasing restrictions on access. As c...
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What do copywriters do?

Sometime last year, someone was looking for a copywriter. Another someone linked him to me, whereupon I dispatched a sample of my work post haste, and he called me in for a sit-down. (Which invariably necessitated hauling myself across town). I now can't recall much of what transpired in that very short meeting, but I remember client-to-be praising my singular ability to write a captivating TV commercial. And then he expressed grave concern over my. . . how shall I put it. . . “ability,” as in do I have it in me, to knock out a satisfactory brochure? (Because who populates their creative portfolio with brochures? 🤷🏿‍♂️) Actually, it might have been a flyer but I am quite possibly inured to the details by the general barbarity of time.

Anyway, I sent back my costing for the job and—no surprises here—never heard from him again. Turns out he was looking for a flyer-writer. Or a brochure supremo. It also turns out that this is a pet peeve with marketers today.

So what exactly do copywriters do?

Quoth creativepool.com: "Creative copywriters are employed by agencies both permanently and on a freelance basis to develop advertising concepts. They mainly deliver the words and verbal content that accompanies the visual elements. Agency copywriters usually work in close partnership with art directors and have lots of input to the visual elements. Many advertising agencies appoint them as a creative team. However, many successful copywriters set up as freelancers.

The types of projects and clients vary widely, although some copywriters may specialise in an industry sector. They may also specialise in producing copy for:

1. Above the line advertising, which uses mass media like TV, cinema, interactive media, posters and radio scripts to promote brands.

2. Below the line advertising, which uses less conventional methods that focus on direct means of communication, like brochures, leaflets, press advertisements, direct mail and digital media.

The copywriter is responsible for taking a client's advertising brief and generating original copy ideas that grab the attention of the target audience.”

What kind of copywriters are you hiring out there?

This post first appeared on my Instagram blog. Read more at https://www.instagram.com/javanongurucreative

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