We all have times when we look back and moan, “what was I thinking?” I’m not talking about the petty times when we sign up for a half marathon or eat that second brownie.
I’m talking about a decision that tugs at our sense of values and, well, our sense of “self.”
Can you tell I’m procrastinating about revealing my marketing shame while delving into my new “writing career”?
When I was hired in the male-only echelons of a company selling space for billboards (or more politically correct, outdoor advertising), I was told I could also use my writing skills to create copy for those billboards. But my word skills were rarely used, since most of the “big money” billboards for beer and cigarettes came with their own copy from the product conglomerates.
But as I brought in more local business from Mom and Pop stores that wanted to send a short snappy message on that large outdoor space to claim:
Sew Yourself Something Special – Sally’s Sewing Shop, or
Hammer for Hire: Steve’s Hardware, I began to work on copy with the client.
I discovered that writing copy for a large billboard is an excellent, yet difficult way to hone writing and editing skills.
My clients wanted two or three sentences extolling the virtues of their business.
I had to convince them that the less words on a Board,
the more visibility,
the more POP to attract interest,
and the better chance that a passing driver would actually read the words and stop at the shop.
My efforts flourished so well that six months into my new job, the company hired another woman.
Young, attractive, and bright.
Her position? Marketing Copywriter.
I wanted that job, but I never had the chance to apply for it, since I didn’t even know it was available until it was filled. I tamped down my jealously and reveled in the fact that I had a compatriot in the male-dominated company. M and I worked together, writing some fun fast scripts for the candy depot and the dress shop and even for the funky music store 30 miles west of our “metropolis.”
But then, success got to our heads. Or at least into M’s head.
She got the great idea that for me to sell even more outdoor advertising, the company needed to sell…
ME
(Yes, the final mortifying marketing mashup is still to come….)
Do you want to guess how she used me to sell space?
..tantalising, m’Lady:)
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And I do love to tantalize. 😍
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More dragging out and a cliffhanger! Are you sure you didn’t used to write soap operas? Or if not, maybe you should consider it!
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Soap operas have great hooks and cliffhangers, don’t they? I promise, next Friday all will be ‘revealed.’ 😳
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Guess?…and spoil a good story…no way!
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Not sure anyone would guess this one, anyway. Yikes! Tune in next Friday.
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Can’t even bear/bare to imagine, Pam.
Cliff hanger is right!
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Oh, good one! I can barely stand to share the end of the story, but I promise I will.
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I’ll hold you to that!
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Look forward to the next instalment. Life is so much better than fiction.
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Life is surely more interesting than fiction. Fiction has to be believable!! 🙄
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I’m afraid to guess, Pam…
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Coward!! 😌😊😀
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Ok, I’ll take a shot at this….. “Hammer ME,” “let ME serve you,” “Let ME help you”…. All with your photo on the billboard as well. That would be pretty mortifying! Easty
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I am blushing! But laughing out loud. You’re making it easier to tell the end of my story-thank goodness it’s not as bad as your guess. Well, maybe it is… 🤔
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It’s funny, Pamela, the first thing I thought about when I read your story is that Twitter and its brevity may have been born out of the brevity of advertising in limited space.
Incidentally, I’m all about alliteration – I love your use of it in your advertising copy writing and in your post – unless, of course, that’s a part of the mortifying marketing mashup to come 🙂
Seriously though, this has been an engaging, educational, and enjoyable expedition. Thank you 🙂
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Dave-I think you are absolutely correct. I think the way advertisers learned to use space on outdoor advertising was a precursor for Twitter users. Short and snappy..and smart. I really appreciate your comments!
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Love it!!! (Less is more!)
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🤓
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I don’t know, but I look forward to finding out!
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As a fellow introvert, you know how difficult it is for me to reveal the end…
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lovely post Pamela. I can’t imagine what happened to you. Life is more interesting than soap opera . I agree with above comment. Will be looking forward to read next post.
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I’ve always wondered why soap operas get a bum rap. They are truly just like life, maybe with more glamor and more partner switches. 😜
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True.:)
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I wouldn’t want to spoil a tantalizing cliffhanger by guessing.
And for the record, I never feel guilty about the second brownie. Maybe the third, but never the second…:)
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Oh, how I wish I could not feel so guilty for that second brownie. The third one? Always my own little secret. I like your attitude! 😎
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Can’t wait to hear the rest!
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I guess I can’t procrastinate any longer…
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I hope it didn’t involve a T-shirt. 😀 😀
Spill the beans already!
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I promise, no T-shirts – wet or dry- in the story. Tune in next Friday.
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oh no! I know there is happy ending waiting at the end… but in the meantime, I’m loving the suspense, the drama, the hanging on the edge of my seat feeling…. 🙂
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Of course part of the reason I’m so embarrassed by the ending of the story is that I am truly a feminist. And the end of the story goes against that grain. But part of living is learning our lessons.
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Oh dear – well on the plus side, this must have helped hone your writing skills!
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You are so right about the plus side. My writing skills got honed. And I learned that I never wanted to be in sales again. 🤔
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Since you mentioned in a previous post that you looked better than Jane Fonda, I’m guessing she put your photo on a billboard. If I’m right, I hope you have a picture of it.
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I was being a bit facetious in my comment about me and Jane Fonda. My hair wasn’t quite so long and wavy. 😝
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Sounds scary, Pam! I’m waiting for the next update 😉
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I’m definitely scared to reveal my mortifying secret. But reveal I will on Friday. 😱
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The mind boggles but I can’t help wonder if she didn’t end up the only female working for the company afterwards.
xxx Huge Galore xxx
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When does wonder, doesn’t one? 🤔 xoxohugsallaroubdxoxo
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What?! Leave us hanging? Are you now in life size billboards??
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God forbid! But that was a really fun guess! 😜
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Love the cliffhanger — can’t wait to hear the scoop!
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Dishing out the scoop in two days. Believe me, it’s not vanilla.😳
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What they all said. Put me down for all of the above.
(Is it Friday yet?)
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I’m actually dreading Friday, Bruce. But a promise is a promise. 😖
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Sex sells, kiddo! Clearly you used your feminine wiles snare a client who harbored a secret foot fetish.
Well done.
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How’d you guess???!!! 🙂
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It was obvious.
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Well, I have some ideas but they really should not be put down in writing. I am thinking of some billboards I have seen in Germany.
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Oh noooo, not that bad!!!! :-0
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Hey, you can’t leave it there!!! When’s the next instalment? You got her the job after all right, I mean, you kind of created it, so how could she?! I mean, whatever it was she did, that’s just…not fair! H x
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But just wait ’til you hear what she did next. Ohhh, but I was complicit, so I’m just as bad… 😦
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I’m anxiously awaiting! You are a savvy marketer, Pam!
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I liked this post and never thought a lot about sales nor slogans but you really had a flair for this position. You have a knack for writing, Pamela! Yes, author and marketing sometimes work out in the process. 🙂
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I can see the need to be a good writer for promotion and marketing jobs. But me? I prefer fiction and creative non-fiction! 😉
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What a teaser – just like the Downton Abbey episodes I’ve been hooked on for years. Thank you for following my blog today. Sweet!
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