13Jul 2010 by Bob Cargill

10 Ways to Succeed as a Copywriter, Part One

Advertising, Branding, Copywriting, Direct Marketing, Fundraising, Marketing
My first job out of graduate school many years ago was as a copywriter for RCA Direct Marketing in New York City. And the rest, as they say, has been history. Since that first exciting stint writing about the most popular records (yes, vinyl) and tapes (yes, cassettes and eight-tracks) of the day, I’ve written about an incalculable number of different products and services. As I wrote in the preceding post here on A New Marketing Commentator… I’ve written copy to help promote everything from business cards to books, healthcare to software, insurance coverage to investment advice, magazines to music, travel to tuxedos and much, much more. I’ve also written direct response fundraising copy for dozens of charitable organizations (which, by the way, has been some of the most satisfying work…
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07Jul 2010 by Bob Cargill

Three Reasons Why I Like Writing for Nonprofits

Copywriting, Direct Marketing, Fundraising, Marketing, Social Media
As much as I've been using social media for business lately, copywriting -- writing, period -- has always been my stock in trade. Over the course of my career so far, I’ve written a countless number of direct mail packages, ads, brochures, inserts, flyers, web pages, emails and tweets for a multitude of both B2B and B2C clients. I’ve written copy to help promote everything from business cards to books, healthcare to software, insurance coverage to investment advice, magazines to music, travel to tuxedos and much, much more. I’ve also written copy to help dozens of charitable organizations raise funds. And honestly, as much as I enjoy writing about almost any product or service, some of the most satisfying writing I’ve done is included in my portfolio of nonprofit fundraising work. Yes, there are many reasons…
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28Jun 2010 by Bob Cargill

The Best of What I’ve Posted Here in the Last Year

Blogging, Facebook, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter
On July 2, 2009, I published a list -- a "retrospective," if you will -- of some of the posts I had written about social media in the last year. And now I'd like to share with you a similar list of the best (in my humble opinion) of what I've posted here on this blog, A New Marketing Commentator, in the last 12 months. Over the course of the last year, I've tried to post something new once a week. But, for a variety of reasons, that's not always been possible. Yes, I've been helping clients with their own social media programs. And, as Cargill Creative, I've been hanging out on Twitter and Facebook, too. Finally, I've been keeping very busy as a copywriter, creative director and public speaker. Of course, it should go without saying that I also spend as…
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09Jun 2010 by Bob Cargill

50 Reasons Why I Like Twitter

Social Media, Twitter
    I joined Twitter on May 8, 2008, a little more than two years ago. And since then I have tweeted 2,680 times – and counting. For me, logging onto Twitter has become as much a part of my daily routine as checking email and voice mail, meeting with colleagues and clients, listening to the radio, watching TV and reading the newspaper. It's where I know I can find answers and antidotes, honesty and humor, news and views, friends and followers. It’s where I go when I want to listen and learn, chat and connect, inform and inspire, publicize and promote. It's where I'm fortunate to have formed so many mutually-beneficial relationships with people I look up to and admire, trust and respect for their knowledge and expertise, generosity and support. Not only do I think it's fun to use to Twitter, I fiercely believe in…
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24May 2010 by Bob Cargill

What I’ve Read Recently about Social Media

Blogging, Facebook, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter
Using Google Reader and Delicious, I find, save and share a multitude of articles and blog posts about social media, marketing and anything else related to the industry in which I earn my livelihood. In fact, on Delicious alone, I’ve bookmarked 3,706 pieces of content – and counting. Of course, after I’ve read all of them myself, some of these pieces end up being included in my tweets or updates on Facebook. After all, I think it’s important to provide a continuous stream of such quality, relevant third-party content -- in addition to my own original material -- to my followers, friends and fans. It's the essence of my feed. And it's the gist of this post. Yes, what follows are some of the most interesting blog posts and articles I’ve read recently about social media. Enjoy……
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10May 2010 by Bob Cargill
10 Ways to Succeed in Social Media, Parts 1-10

10 Ways to Succeed in Social Media, Parts 1-10

Blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you already know about the  "10 Ways to Succeed in Social Media" series of posts I started writing on January 13 of this year and recently concluded on April 5. But what you wouldn't know is how much I've been looking forward to stringing these posts together into one exhaustive guide on how to communicate effectively via the blogosphere, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and other such Internet-based platforms. In this 2,700-word series, I took a long view of social media, focusing on the principles that people in this space need to keep in mind, not necessarily the day-to-day tactics. After all, despite the widespread adoption of social media, it's still very misunderstood. As I wrote in the introduction to this series... ...social media isn’t rocket science. But it’s definitely a BIG departure for those who have been dependent on traditional marketing, advertising, PR and communications methods up until…
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03May 2010 by Bob Cargill

Blog Post on Video: Don’t Just Scratch the Surface of Social Media

Blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube
This “blog post on video” was recorded on May 1, 2010. It’s the video version of a post I wrote and published on February 23, 2010 called “10 Ways to Succeed in Social Media, Part Six,” which you can read in its entirety here. If you can’t see the video on this page, you can check it out on my YouTube channel by clicking here. Bob Cargill is a copywriter, creative director and social media marketer who helps brands to strategize, develop and implement successful new marketing programs. He is always interested in new speaking, consulting and freelancing opportunities. To contact Bob, click here.
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26Apr 2010 by Bob Cargill

My Upcoming Presentations on Social Media for NEDMA

Blogging, Direct Marketing, Facebook, Fundraising, LinkedIn, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube
          It's that time of year again. The New England Direct Marketing Association's annual conference is just around the corner -- May 12 and 13 at the LaCava Center at Bentley College in Waltham, MA. And just like year, I'm happy to have the opportunity to speak not just once, but twice on social media, this time around on "Understanding Social Media, from Theory to Tactics" (9:00 AM-3:30 PM, May 12) and "10 Ways to Succeed in Social Media" (8:30 AM-9:45 AM, May 13). "Understanding Social Media, from Theory to Tactics" In my all-day workshop on May 12, I'll show participants how to attract attention, pique curiosity, stimulate engagement and develop new business opportunities via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and the blogosphere. From the mechanics to the principles…
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12Apr 2010 by Bob Cargill

How My Dad Taught Me to Run

Boston Marathon, Fundraising
My dad joined me recently at one of the places -- Upper Union Street in Franklin, Massachusetts, the town in which I grew up -- where he taught me, my brother and sister to run more than four decades ago. Given that I'll be running the Boston Marathon once again this year, I thought it would be a great time to capture the memory and share the story... How My Dad Taught Me to Run When I was just a boy, my dad used to take me and my older brother and sister to a quiet, rolling, long stretch of road – less travelled, free of traffic and on the outskirts of town – where he would time each of us running for about a quarter of a mile or so, an exceptionally long distance for me…
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