Portfolio
Charity
Autism awareness charity, Ambitious about Autism, selected me from a number of shortlisted copywriters to help them develop content for their new website.
The charity, previously known as TreeHouse, was going through a major rebrand. I was tasked with editing existing content and writing new copy for the very extensive website, following the newly established tone of voice and style guidelines.
The site, which you can see here, has now been approved by the Plain English Campaign.
The Creation Trust, the charity overseeing the regeneration of Southwark’s Aylesbury Estate, commissioned me to help them engage the local community. I wrote a variety of copy for Creation during the last year of funding provided through the New Deal for Communities scheme. This included articles for their website and community newsletters, press releases and exhibition material.
However my favourite project was helping to compile a book of recipes contributed by local people, featuring produce they grow in the Aylesbury Community Garden. This involved interviewing residents from around the world to find out the stories behind their recipes.
Editing a quarterly newsletter promoting the innovative DAYS charity scheme.
Providing marketing support to this UK-based charity that helps community groups in some of the poorest parts of Kenya to begin small-scale cultivation of the biofuel plant, jatropha curcas.
I teamed up with a designer to create a website, flier and other promotional materials for them. In addition I helped them to set up as an agent for a provider of cheap overseas calls. This should boost their profile within the Kenyan diaspora in the UK as well as bringing in welcome additional income.
You can see the website here.
This Kent-based charity commissioned me to write a feature article for their magazine on the problems associated with alleyway abuse (including graffiti, vandalism and assaults)
and ways these issues are being addressed.
There are more examples of my work in the charity sector in the Environment section.
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Coaching
Editing the website for this business coaching and training organisation
that aims to help its clients achieve “results beyond dreams”.
See the site here.
Writing sales material and editing fliers for this personal image consultancy.
Editing and rewriting web content for this provider of leadership and management development and executive coaching. The project involved incorporating keyword phrases on specific pages of the site to boost search engine optimisation.
See the site here.
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Construction
Writing and editing web text for Al Wahabah, a Saudi construction and engineering company. The work involved extensive restructuring and adjusting the tone to appeal to an international, English-speaking audience.
See the site here.
Writing text and suggesting design concepts for a new promotional brochure
for Bill Dunster architects, creators of the innovative zero fossil energy
development, BedZED.
Writing the first website for this cutting-edge 3D visualisation company.
Tightening up the copy for this office design and refurbishment company’s new website.
I was also involved in rationalising the structure of the site and had some input into its final look and feel, working closely with the client and the designer.
See the site here.
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Education
Developing the concept, name and promotional campaign for a brand new
service for LALS. Lengua Link offers travellers to Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking
countries cultural and linguistic advice over the phone.
Writing and editing marketing materials promoting the cultural awareness seminars staged by this ethnic marketing agency. They have also commissioned me to edit several
case studies and reports.
Writing a direct mail piece for this prep school to be distributed to parents in the local area. The brief involved writing empathetically from the point of view of a
9/10-year-old child, to describe a typical day at Yateley Manor.
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Environment
Improving the readability and grammar of the English version of the brochure for this Costa Rican NGO promoting community-based rural tourism.
Helping create branding for Bambú Perú, a new organisation
actively promoting the use of bamboo as a non-timber forest product to aid
rainforest protection.
Writing the new website for this recycling and waste management company.
You can see the site here.
Writing the copy for the new website of this company specialising in producing biodegradable corn packaging.
You can see the website here.
Editing promotional material for this not-for-profit organisation dedicated
to increasing understanding of the Amazon rainforest.
Writing the text for this established landscaping firm’s first website. They particularly wanted to come across as human and friendly while making clear that they’re experienced professionals.
I worked closely with the client, gathering the information to write the copy from scratch through two telephone interviews. But for a few minor amendments the text was used unchanged.
See the site here.
Writing sales letters and providing marketing support for this new start-up green cleaning and office supplies company.
Writing a corporate social responsibility report for this charitable trust that gets communities involved in regenerating their local environment. The project included interviewing staff to gather the relevant data and working alongside an environmental consultant.
Regular work writing and editing marketing material for HazValue, an e-procurement platform that enables businesses to sell their reusable and recyclable waste directly to specialist recycling providers.
Projects have included writing sales letters, a corporate brochure, press releases and articles for trade magazines as well as periodically reviewing their website, which you can see here.
Insulation providers, InstaGroup, commissioned me to help them produce promotional materials to raise awareness of their newly rebranded network of independent insulation installers across the UK.
This involved writing copy for a website aimed at consumers - see www.snugnetwork.co.uk - and a brochure aimed at potential partner organisations, including major corporations and local authorities.
The client contacted me a few weeks later from an exhibition to let me know how well the brochure was being received.
Kat Creative’s first ever project, back in 2001 - creating a book to celebrate the first 20 years of IT Power. This renewable energy consultancy works across the developing world to provide sustainable energy solutions in challenging environments.
I also got involved in writing new corporate literature for them and proofreading proposals.
Commissioned to write articles on environmental issues affecting the polar
regions.
See my articles on the Khanty tribe, wolves and polar wildlife under threat.
Several years later my article on wolves is still attracting positive comments from people in the academic world, the most recent from a senior lecturer in ecology at an American university.
Producing a promotional leaflet for this Reading-based supplier of solar water heating systems.
Creating the cover artwork for a bird sounds CD for this Anglo-Peruvian charity to sell to raise funds. The work included design as well as writing copy in English and Spanish.
Writing a leaflet encouraging consumers to recycle their used Xerox toner
cartridges to minimise waste and damage to the environment.
I’ve since been commissioned to write the internal magazine for Xerox UK. For more details see the Miscellaneous section.
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IT & telecoms
Writing an emailer informing customers of the move from NT4 to Windows
2000 for servers and encouraging them to make the transition with Dell.
Editing proposals and white papers for the company behind the Financial Ecosystem - the engine that powers many online financial modelling tools.
Click here to register to read the white papers on ‘Assisted purchase’ and ‘The future of distribution’.
Office In My Pocket was a web-based application that allowed users to synchronise their mobile phone with their Outlook email. ESE, the company behind it, approached me to help produce promotional material to raise its profile.
In addition to writing the copy, they invited me to assemble the creative team and act as project manager. I worked closely with the client, designer Feliphe Lavor and photographer Andrew Sansom to create a mini site and brochure. ESE were delighted with the end result. Unfortunately the application has since been discontinued, after Nokia withdrew the service it relied upon.
Since then I’ve also written various case studies for them.
Regular work writing and editing sales and marketing material for this web design and development agency, and editing copy for their clients’ websites and email newsletters.
Click here to see the GUMPTION website.
Writing promotional material for this major blue chip IT company.
Copywriting brochures and a series of advertisements for the Public Safety
trade press to raise the profile of Motorola’s new range of two-way
radios.
Writing a series of case studies for this provider of customer relationship management solutions.
See my case studies of their work for Renoir Group, Vacherin and Yale Europe.
I wrote two articles for web design and workflow solutions company Proteus Virtual, to appear in New Business magazine.
In both cases the client had written a rough draft in note form and I worked on this to come up with the final versions - It’s crunch time for your website and Does your business have a dashboard?
Writing copy for an online banner campaign promoting Sony Ericsson’s K550i mobile phone.
Writing the new website for this telecoms company that provides a range of cheap overseas calling options. They were so pleased with the way I understood and
explained their services that they invited me to help recruit agents for them.
To see the site, click here.
I was commissioned to produce copy for a sales aid to help Dixons staff sell Trend Micro’s Titanium internet security products to customers. I wrote the copy based on content from the Trend Micro website and rough notes they had provided.
The deadline was very tight (with less than two days’ turnaround time from initial briefing to going to print), however the client was delighted with the result.
Rewriting the text for this software testing company’s new website to make technical information more easily accessible.
The approach I took was to minimise jargon and convert formal language into easy-to-read modern business English. The project involved working in close collaboration with one of Verify Solutions’ technical team to ensure nothing was lost in translation.
See the site here.
I now also edit a monthly email newsletter for Verify Solutions.
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Marketing
Coming up with the concept and writing the copy for this Aldershot-based
design and marketing agency’s corporate brochure.
Editing the text for a new corporate brochure for this marketing agency that specialises in campaigns targeting specific ethnic groups.
Seven years on from its launch, SendaNewsletter had evolved from a DIY email newsletter tool to a fully managed email marketing solution with services tailored to meet each client’s needs.
I had been editing newsletter content for SendaNewsletter customers since it started, so they contacted me to review the copy to better reflect the services on offer. I worked closely with the founder, Edward Bowen, to refine the text to reach a final version that clearly differentiates their offering from the competition.
You can see the new site here.
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Mind/body/spirit
Regular editorial assistance with promotional material and course manuals for this company offering holistic healing, training and sacred tours.
Writing a bi-monthly column offering marketing advice to holistic therapists.
See the articles here.
Writing the website for this small independent hair salon.
To see the site click here.
Helping the owner of this diversifying holistic healing business to develop
a new brand identity.
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Publishing
Writing an ad to appear weekly in The Independent property section for this, the UK’s leading monthly magazine for property investors.
Acting as assistant editor for the English section of this bilingual magazine
looking at Latino culture across the globe.
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Retail/wholesale
Writing a promotional leaflet for this ecological clothing company, focusing on their ethical stance and the environmental benefits of the fabrics they use.
Following the success of this project they also asked me to write the copy for the Ideology section of their new website.
I was commissioned to write the new website for this independent carpet shop in Battersea, to better reflect their company image. They were keen to emphasise the high quality of the floor coverings they sell and the service they provide, but weren’t sure of the best approach.
Having reviewed their existing website, I interviewed the client on the phone to gain a fuller understanding of their products and services and what sets them apart from their competition.
When writing the copy I subtly incorporated carefully chosen keyword phrases to help draw targeted traffic to the site, while prioritising readability and flow.
A few weeks after the launch of the new site the shop was busier than ever. The client commented that I had transformed how people viewed their business.
Click here to see the website.
Creating an emailable catalogue to promote the wholesale range of this importer and distributor of fairly traded jewellery and clothing.
Writing a series of PR pieces for this natural hair and beauty product company.
Writing a promotional brochure to help secure a niche for this newly established
gem and crystal wholesaler.
Regular work proofreading promotional material for the trading and marketing
departments of the Safeway supermarket chain.
True Food Co-op is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing healthy, sustainable and affordable food to the people of Reading. I volunteered to help produce a bi-monthly newsletter to improve the co-op's communication with its customer base and encourage a greater sense of community.
After just two issues, True Food's chairman commented that the newsletter was already having a noticeable effect on communications and sales.
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Transport
Writing the website for this tyre and exhaust specialist. I spent an hour or so at the garage interviewing key members of the team and watching them in action before writing the copy from scratch.
See the site here.
Writing the copy for this local courier firm’s upgraded website. The project involved creating new text based on the company’s previous website and in-depth discussions with the client.
The main challenge was restructuring the services section to sum up the various aspects of Total Courier Systems’ diverse offering, clearly but succinctly.
See the site here.
Writing a magazine and website aimed at children about to move up to secondary school, helping prepare them for the transition. The brief included encouraging the children to use
sustainable transport and teaching them how to do so safely.
To see the UpGrade site, click here.
This provider of parking solutions initially commissioned me to write a corporate brochure and a number of direct mail pieces, to raise awareness of their services among major retailers, local authorities and education providers.
They later asked me to write the copy for their new website - see www.ukparkingcontrol.com - and associated microsites, which proved very successful.
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Miscellaneous
Bang Creations specialise in helping inventors, entrepreneurs and organisations to bring their product ideas into reality. They approached me for assistance with their corporate brochure. The challenge was to pull their diverse range of services together into a cohesive story, to encourage prospective clients to read it cover to cover then make contact.
The brochure has received excellent feedback and the Bang Creations team believe it's made a real difference in engaging key target markets.
I have since helped them with their new website - see www.bangcreations.co.uk.
I was commissioned to write the web text for this new commercial offshoot of insurance brokerage Hencilla Canworth. They wanted to make a niche for themselves as a keen new player with a fresh approach but with the credibility of an established name behind them.
I wrote the text from scratch following an initial briefing. The client loved my first draft and used the copy unchanged.
You can see the site here.
Rewriting the web copy for this company offering a comprehensive business support and advice service. They wanted me to sum up their extensive offering in short, snappy accessible text.
The deadline was very tight to get the site online in time for an important event but the client was delighted with the result.
See the site here.
Regular work writing copy for the party, including campaign material, direct mail pieces (encouraging people to vote for the party, donate or become a member) and a legacy pack.
Refreshing web text for justsew, producers of high-quality handmade curtains
and soft furnishings.
See the site here.
Editing business plans and promotional material for this small company headed by Dr Kadiyali Srivatsa. He set up the company to bring the medical devices he has invented (which could help prevent the spread of HIV and MRSA) into
production at a price affordable in the developing world.
Dr Srivatsa has now succeeded in getting one of his devices onto the market.
Writing the copy for key pages of the website for this service designed to take the hassle out of parcel deliveries. I was also able to help the client by offering advice on ways to improve the structure and functionality of the new site.
See the site here.
Writing a radio commercial for this northeast Hampshire solicitors’ partnership.
Editing a monthly email newsletter for this consultancy that works with CEOs across the globe to help them bring their plans into reality.
The campaign has been phenomenally successful, resulting in around $5 million in new business for Renoir Group so far.
You can read previous issues of e-Portrait in the Renoir Knowledge Center.
Writing the first website for this Surrey-based company providing domestic and commercial electrical and property maintenance services.
I wrote the copy from scratch, following interviews on the phone and in person to ensure I fully understood their different target markets and their range of services.
The client was thrilled with the end result, which you can see here.
Writing the text for the new improved website for this events and corporate communications company. The site was being relaunched to tie in with an emailer campaign, addressing four specific vertical markets.
At my suggestion UKS&V incorporated the sector-specific landing pages as sub-sections of
Who we work for (accessed from the ‘sectors’ hyperlink). This gives them added value, allowing them to promote their specialist knowledge to visitors who didn’t receive the emailers.
Click here to see the site.
Xerox approached three copywriters looking for someone to write their quarterly magazine for UK staff. Following a series of interviews they selected me.
The theme of my first issue was sustainability, and it was the first to be published only online (on the Xerox UK intranet) to minimise its environmental impact.
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