I'm not sure if it's other writers trying to see how long it should take them to write a brochure, a one-pager or some other piece of marketing material or if it's a client-type trying to see if they're being over-billed or worried about whether they can afford to outsource their copy writing.

Writing is a fickle beast. Some days it comes easy, some days it feels like work and drags on. When you're on the payroll somewhere, it all works out in the wash. However, if you're an independent professional, it's a little trickier -- your clients desire and deserve your best. Therein lies the problem.

I suppose you could compare a freelance writer to a plumber. Does it take a plumber the same amount of time to install a toilet on different days, in different situations? No. What's interesting is that some plumbers charge by the job and some plumbers charge by the hour. If the same job could take two hours one day and four hours the next, a flat-rate plumber would always charge the same amount for installing a toilet. An hourly plumber would have a variable rate, depending upon how long the job took.

So, how long does it take to write a brochure? How long does it take to write a one-pager? It all depends on the day, the writer, the client and the project.

With new clients, I typically charge by the project. I've found that doing so puts clients at ease and makes them feel more comfortable working with someone they don't know. (If you're new to freelance writing and considering this, always ensure you put limits on it -- inevitably, you'll run across a client who wants ten rounds of rewrites and wants it all included in the cost you originally estimated.)

If you're a client looking for a writer who is comfortable bidding on writing projects by the project rather than by the hour, you've found one! Contact me!

How long does it take to write? is a post from: Kansas City Copywriter Copyright, 2010.

During college I spent a good chunk of time finding exciting ways to describe hard drives -- and got paid for it. Since then I've had a soft spot in my heart for tech. Of course, I did more than just write about hard drives during that gig, but at the time external hard drives were that company's bread and butter. Finding exciting ways to differentiate them -- and keep them entertaining -- was a challenge.

I received my first national exposure during that stint -- I wrote the copy for a double page spread for a new computer that ran in several national publications. I also learned quite a bit, not the least of which was that catalog and technology copy can be fun...and that if done right, "fun" can translate into big sales.

I went on to found Drinkspecials.com, a nightlife destination. A couple years later, I then co-founded VendingAuction.com, a business to business site that enabled vending companies to liquidate excess inventory. (As far as I know, it's defunct now -- but I cashed out before that happened.) Around that time, I co-founded BillMyClients.com, which currently processes half a billion dollars worth of invoices each year.

I've spent a great amount of time in consumer packaged goods and promotions, but I know what MTBF stands for. I also know how to set up and administer a web server, be it Windows/IIS or Linux/Apache based (Ubuntu, preferably). Couple my technology experience with my writing background and you've got a geek translator. Literally.

If you need a seasoned technology writer, drop me a line -- I'd love to discuss your project!

Technology writing in the Heartland is a post from: Kansas City Copywriter Copyright, 2010.

What a wonderful time to dust the cobwebs off the copy on your website or corporate brochure!

Sure, everyone talks about "spring cleaning" around the house...but what has that sort of spring cleaning ever gotten you? A happier spouse? More room? Sure, more room. More space to be filled with new stuff. How are you going to afford that new stuff if your website and corporate brochure aren't pulling in business like they used to?

That's right, without money-making copy on your website and corporate brochure, all of your spring cleaning at home will be for naught. Who wants to spring clean in vain? Certainly not you.

One quick e-mail to yours truly for a copy tune-up and you can make sure that your house stays full of stuff. Who can argue with that logic?

Spring cleaning. is a post from: Kansas City Copywriter Copyright, 2010.

I'm John Laing and I'm a writer.

I live in Kansas City, but work for clients around the world. If you use brand name products or spend much time online, you've probably seen or interacted with my work.

What do I write?

• Promotion ideation / concepts
• Campaign ideation / concepts
• Corporate brochure copy
• Web page copy
• Advertising copy
• Training materials
• Product launch materials
• Written materials for e-businesses
• Web page copy
• Catalog copy
• Media releases

What do I produce?

• Corporate videos (write & produce)
• Training videos (write & produce)
• Promotional overviews
• Event recaps

Who do I write for?

Confidentiality agreements prevent me from disclosing the majority of my client list. Here is a partial list of client industries. An asterisk next to an industry indicates that I have written for one of the top three manufacturers in that industry; A + indicates that I have written for multiple clients in that industry.

• Health & beauty *+  (my work includes makeup, deodorant, vitamins, toothpaste, lotions, soap, OTC meds & femcare)
• Food *+ (my work includes frozen entrees, shelf-stable entrees, soup, branded produce, salty snacks/chips & more)
• Other CPG *+ (my work includes cleaners, disinfectant sprays, tissue, toilet paper, disposable plates, batteries & more)
• Small electrics *+ (coffee makers, electric tools & battery-operated floor cleaners)
• Fast food *+
• Automotive *+
• Long distance *
• Service providers + (testing services, billing services, psychological service providers, entertainment companies & more)
• Direct marketers + (misc. direct to consumer and business to business companies)
• Technology *+ (computer equipment & software)
• Apparel +

How can you put my skills to work for your company or brand?

It's easy. Just contact me!

Your Kansas City Copywriter! is a post from: Kansas City Copywriter Copyright, 2010.