With Love, Philly Wordsmith

This new campaign for Philadelphia has me thinking. What would Philadelphia look like as the writer of these notes? Philadelphia is writing promotional and witty letters to these groups of people (gays, historians, art lovers, suburbanites) that it's trying to attract.

What would this quintessential, inviting Philadelphia look like? First, the pen. It would be a quill. Obviously.

Some possibilities for Human Philadelphia:

1) A really, really gay Ben Franklin. He prefers "Benjamin."

2) An old woman from South Philadelphia.

3) A college hipster. Skinny jeans and bright Nike High Tops and all.

Now, you! Who would Human Philly be?

My New Fave Commercial

The new Orkin Commercial where a huge cockroach shows up at a woman's door is the most subtly funny commercial I've ever seen.

I don't know if this subtle humor is on purpose because lord knows commercial humor is almost never subtle. Even the shockingly effective caveman commercials are pretty in your face. There is a bit of subtle humor in there, but now every one gets it.

In my particular favorite, the giant roach shows up with a pizza and with perfect timing at the end, asks if he could 'place it on her table' even though she didn't order it. He has the most creepy voice possible AND he drives off in a straight-up creepy pedophile car.

Good work, whoever is responsible for this ad.

I Have Been a Naughty Blogger

So, as you can see, I have not posted anything in over a month.

(Gasps! Shocked Ohhs! "I am not mad, I'm just disappointed" head shakes.)

I know. I know. I have broken the cardinal rule of blogging. I've heard that you should post an entry to your blog from anywhere between 3 times a day to once a week. To you I say, what's that like to be so anal?

I am back, kids. The Philly Wordsmith is back. And she is rarin' to sink her teeth into some Addy topics. Maybe even some writing topics. Maybe some website topics. Communication? It could be anything. Literally anything. Maybe tomorrow I'll be a florist. Point is, watch out.

Seriously, though. Sorry. The long absence won't happen again. Dry your tears. I've been working hard and writing articles for AdNews. No excuses, I know. I heart you.

Pandora - Post No Bills

The following is a bit of a whine so skip it unless you want your IQ to drop a couple.

We all like money. I like it. You like it. Don't lie. So I know that the very awesome Pandora music player also likes it. But, dammit, stop interrupting my music with Smelly Dove Body Wash ads. I'm done with it.

I am so in love with you, Pandora, and now all these ads started getting between us. You play awesome music and then all the sudden I am being told to smell better (peachy or kiwi-ish, no less.)

I know, I know nothing good comes for free, but what about our love, Pandora? Our mutual love of beautiful music. You even introduce me to new and beautiful music! Who thought life could be so sweet. I was raised on Napster -- when it was FREE -- and then was made to feel like a criminal when record companies started suing middle-schoolers for having too much ripped Metallica.

Isn't it enough that you have a little ad on the side? It doesn't interrupt anything and I see it there. I'll click it if I'm interested.

When all is said and done, I will still listen to you, though. If you haven't checked it out, yet, here ya go: http://pandora.com. Believe me, it's worth it. It's like being a really lazy radio DJ.

Letters To A Young Copywriter

Dear Susie,

I was pleased to receive your letter. I can see why you might be attracted to Copywriting and I will share with you how and why I got into the business.

First, I am passionate about language. Second, it is fun to use big words that your "normal" friends don't know. Saying words like "vicissitude" sends your normie friends into a fury because they feel dumber than you. Copywriters, as a rule, are superior to those around them. Remember that.

If you are not incredibly good looking, give up your dream now. I mean, model good-looking.

We tend to be deeper than most. Start feeling your feelings if you haven't already.

Now about this business of breaking into Copywriting. How do you do it? You fight. You knock on doors. No, kick down doors. You call up strangers. Be everywhere. Have "Eye Of The Tiger" playing in your mind always.

My final (and unoriginal - check out Writing Down The Bones) thought is this: when you get to second grade start telling people that's what you do. You write. You are a writer. Be a stubborn little bastard about it. That is what you do, that is your profession. They will doubt you, Susie. They will say, "Emily, stop robbing convenient stores..." Er, wait. They will say, "You're only 7 years old, you can't be a writer and here's why your short story sucks." Then you kick them in sweet spot and run. Run like lightning, grab your pen, and write like you got somethin' to prove.

I hope this helps, young one. Keep it real.

Yours In Pen,

Emily, the Philly Wordsmith

Letters To A Young Copywriter

In the true style of "Dear Abby," I bring you the following....

Dear Philly Wordsmith,

My name is Susie. I am 5 years old and I think I am your biggest fan. I also have blonde pig-tails. Aren't I adorable? Do you think wearing my hair in pig-tails will give me swine flu?

Anyhow, the reason I'm writing is because it is my dream to become a brilliant Web Copywriter like yourself. I also want to be as beautiful and talented on guitar as you are, but mostly a brilliant Copywriter. How do I do it?

With Cutie-Pieness,
Susie

Stay tuned for my response...

4 Points From "Breaking Boundaries"

Last night, I attended PRSSA's "Breaking Boundaries: The Revolution of Social Media." The event was a success. Thank you to panelists and moderator: @jerseycoach, @gloriabell, @blankbaby, @k8teshields, @podcaststeve, @conversationage, and @gloriabell. Here's what I learned.

1 - The principle of paying it forward. Thanks to Gloria and Moderator, Rick Alcantara, for bringing this up. The way to attract people in the virtual social world is the same as in the real world. Be kind, generous, and pass things along.

2 - Valeria Maltoni and Kate Shields brought up and emphasized the fact that people trust their peers more than they trust marketers. That fact probably explains why Social Networking sites are the most popular and visited sites. It also explains why a user-generated site like http://tripadvisor.com is visited more often than any other travel site.

3 - Panelist Steven Lubetkin reminded us that customers are actively looking for our product online. Social Networking makes it easy for marketers to tap into communities that already want our product.

4 - Right off the bat, Scott McNulty made the point that Social Media is two-way. Don't do just all listening or all talking. Do a bit of both.