Writing Long Copy

Originally posted on Medium.

I have come to a conclusion, I am getting back into advertising.

I am financially broke, but mentally solid.

And, I need to pay the bills.

I am grateful that creativity is pouring out of my pores.

I left my advertising career over seven years ago.

I never returned because of fear.

I found writing difficult. I could never stay on course.

In 2016, I started writing on Medium.

It was the best decision ever—renewed confidence.

Yes, I still get butterflies in my stomach every time I hit the publish link.

But, I do it anyway.

To get an acceptance from a publication is extremely elating.

What about long copy?

I can come up with a decent headline without much effort,

but more than 200 words is a challenge.

An obstacle that I am looking forward to conquering.

I want to become an excellent writer.

David Ogilvy was a master of long prose.

His logic was that if someone is interested, they will read any length.

And, if they are reading they want the juicy details.

This is true of any form of writing.

If you find your audience, usually a person here or a person there, you have captured a decision maker.

They are also influencers.

If they approve and support your words, so will their followers.

The secret to long copy is storytelling.

And that is what I am working on — to become an excellent storyteller.

My first long copy article will be published tomorrow.

I’m working on it right now.

It’s about Kurt Vonnegut’s first rule for writing fiction.

For a bit of audiovisual fun, you can join me on YouTube.