Kansas City Copywriter Need a Kansas City Writer?

8Mar/10

Technology writing in the Heartland

Technology in a flyover state? You betcha.

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!

5Nov/09

Your Kansas City Copywriter!

Hi.

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!