September 21st, 2009
The ongoing debate of new copy vs rewrites and what to charge for rewrites seems to come up more often when the economy is at its worst or around tax seaon.
My definition of rewrites has always been to take the already existing copy and reword it with the same tone and style as most clients who want a rewrite, I have found in my experience, just want the same overall feel to say the same thing but just wants the words jumbled around a bit.
My definition of new copy is just that; new copy! Copy which engages the reader, copy which stimulates the reader to click or keep reading more; copy which is strong and interesting.
Due to this ongoing debate which I seem to encounter every few months, we do charge a lower rate for rewrites as when clients explain to us, "Well I just want the copy rewritten and it shouldn’t take you very long." Is another word for "I am cheap and won’t pay your pricing so let’s call it a rewrite BUT I expect newly written copy."
Um, yea that doesn’t fly with me. Maybe some writers would just grin and take it but after 10 years of being in this business, I don’t stand for the people who think they are "pulling" one over on the "desperate writer."
New copy is just that; new, freshly written copy.
Rewrites are taking already existing copy (no matter boring, crappy or whatever) and just reworking it to say the same thing. That is why it is called a rewrite.
When you want new, sparkingly fresh, vibrant copy, then you already know what my answer is…You got to pay for it!
So next time someone asks for a rewrite due to the price, don’t expect amazingly new copy. It’s the policy I have followed for years and no, it won’t change.
Tags: new copy, rewrites
Posted in Copywriting | No Comments »
August 16th, 2009
Since my last post was from June 30, I am not doing a great job keeping the PearlyWrites blog updated. I have been working and focusing on our AdultOrganicSEO.com blog where we update weekly if not a few times per week. Still it isn’t an excuse, especialy when we don’t have to write some huge blog posting, but just a small, nice thought weekly.
I wonder how other small businesses keep their blog updated? I mean I know that a few of them actually hire PearlyWrites to keep their blogs updated daily so does that mean I need to hire a blogger to keep my own blog updated? Really? I mean if I do this for a living shouldn’t I be able to update my own blog if not daily, but weekly? So I am posing my challenge to myself that I must update the PW blog weekly. Even if it’s about small, subtle items, at least their will be content on the blog as we all know the search engines REALLY like new content and blogging is my number one choice to draw the search engines back to a site organically.
Would love to hear how other self-employed people make sure to update their own blog while maintaining multiple client’s blogs. Feel free to share your words of wisdom as we all get side-tracked and any great ideas would be most helpful. Til next time…
Happy Blogging! 
Tags: blogging update
Posted in Copywriting | No Comments »
March 5th, 2009
In the past year, I have seen more and more Websites, businesses and advertisements for SEO Copywriting. Ironically, PearlyWrites and myself have been providing SEO copywriting since 2003! Back then it wasn’t called SEO copywriting but was known as something called writing for keywords or keyword stuffing. Remember those days???
As PearlyWrites started as a Copywriting Company, providing writing, research and editing services (Get it, "Writing, Research and Beyond…) to all genres and sized businesses, I just wanted to write a blog post getting back to our roots. I guess this came from a older gentleman I met last night at a networking event in Boca Raton, Florida who asked me why I haven’t changed the name of the company if we provide more than Copywriting services. My answer to him was pretty much straight forward, explaining the meaning behind the company and how the company expanded into offering Online Marketing and Design services because that is how our business grew. Also copywriting goes hand in hand with Marketing for print and online so really we never stopped providing writing services.
I am not sure if my answer sufficed him but the truth is we have been PearlyWrites from before the days of keyword stuffing writing and even print marketing writing and then of course we have the meaning behind PearlyWrites. You know the whole middle name of Pearl and starting off as a Freelance Writer.
Though PearlyWrites is a pun for Pearly Whites, we do not provide dental services BUT if a dentist office happens to need online marketing services, we would love to help you! 
If you think about all the items needed to market your Website and businesses online, it all includes SEO copywriting. From Press Releases, Articles, Web content, blogging, profile info, product descriptions to just name a few, we provide many and more of these items and will even partner with other SEM and SEO firms who would like to outsource their copywriting needs to PW.
Be well!
Lisa
@PearlyWrites
Tags: seo copywriting
Posted in Copywriting | No Comments »
October 1st, 2008
This year PearlyWrites, LLC will be participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Phoenix on Oct. 12. We will be racing with Silk Web Consulting and a few other amazing women to show our support for finding a cure to Breast Cancer.
Come down to the race and support us or even walk with us!
If you would like to donate to an amazing cause, please visit our personal Website at: http://komenphoenix.kintera.org/race/pearlywrites
Tags: breast cancer race, pink ribbon
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
August 19th, 2008
When we first moved to the Valley of the Sun from Northern New Jersey 2.5 year ago, I attempted to go to many different networking events. Besides not being familiar with any of the roads or areas in the Phoenix area, the local networking lasted for about two (2) months and then I stopped completely attending.
I was told by Christine Springer from Desert Edge Legal last Monday about the Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber. I also invited Laurel Silk from SilkWeb Consulting & Development along and we had a blast! Everyone we met at the event were so open and friendly and after a few of the “other” past experiences I have had at some other chamber events (Can we say the Peoria Chamber ABSOLUTELY sucks ass!), this was a breath of fresh air!
I met a promotional company, Snyder Promotional Products, who I have a meeting with this week to discuss promotional items; not just the typical boring type either. With our adult side of PearlyWrites, also known as PB Vixen, we need non-boring promotional items (especially for AEE 2009 this year in Vegas Baby!). Minxy already started throwing out ideas that night so I am VERY excited to discuss these with her. (Will write a follow up after our meeting.)
Overall from not going to local Phoenix networking events for over a year, this was a great experience to enter the in-person networking world again. Since I ranted and raved about how wonderful it was, SilkWeb now has convinced me to go with her tomorrow night to an ASBA mixer at SKYE lounge. (and yes she also got me to join ASBA! Laurel you have mastered Jewish mother guilt, Oy Vey!)
I hope to get around the Valley more and start meeting many of my Twitter connections in the Valley of the Sun; and SilkWeb WILL be there as well.
Tags: az networking, phoenix networking
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
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