The Word of the Day - Catalog Copy

[pluckyduck]

I don't usually count any of the catalog copy writing I do as writing, but I'm cracking myself up so much here, I have to blab in some forum. It was either here or business, and the writing forum won.

Today's show is brought to you by the word "optimized". Yesterday's show was brought to you by the word "contemporary".

I'm writing a slew of product copy and there are only so many words in the English language for crying out loud...and only so much you can say about a product line of padfolios, writing pads and business briefs. I get outraged when a manufacturer doesn't have any fluff copy I can steal, damn them, ....so I get on one word and beat the crap out of it in product descriptions until I can't stand to read it again myself. J. Peterman I'm not.

Anybody else have any good words? I'll buy them, just like in the Phantom Tollbooth

Andrea

edited to add: things are so bad, I'm using chic over and over again as in "City chic padfolio....."

[magenta321]

Give me an example. I'll try to give your words for free

[mrisch[$]]

sleek
elegant
versatile
utilitarian
handy
efficient
chock-full
neato
kitsch
chotchkes

[pluckyduck]

This is the manufacturer I'm writing for right now....I'm taking the whole dang product line, which means I'm writing on 30 padfolios in a row, then business briefs, then whatever.

http://leedsworld.com/searchResults....uct_id=0550-01

That is the copy I have to start with.

I pulled the word rich (as in rich colors) for that puppy.

Oooh. I haven't used "rich" but once or twice today. I get to use a word at least 15 or 20 times before I can't stand it anymore.

Andrea

[taurusmoon]

I'll send you a copy of one of my catalogs. You can borrow any words you'd like. Just make sure you don't abuse them too much before you return them. I need to use them over again.

Sara

[pluckyduck]

Sara said in post #5 :
I'll send you a copy of one of my catalogs. You can borrow any words you'd like. Just make sure you don't abuse them too much before you return them. I need to use them over again.

Sara

I think I normally abuse handy more than is legal in any state. I'm trying to write more upscale at the moment though......


Oooooooh! Upscale!!!



Andrea

[CurtisEdmonds]

If you want, I can ship you my fifty-page grant. Lots of good words in there, like "modular" and "relevant" and "collaboration" and I don't know what all.

[pluckyduck]

BTW, in case you think I'm kidding about sinking so low as to use the word "chic":

City chic padfolio features zippered closure, interior organizer for business essentials and front pockets with pen loops. Includes 8 1/2" x 11" writing pad. Constructed of black Ballistic Vinyl and 600d PolyCanvas.

Andrea

[pluckyduck]

Curtis said in post #7 :
If you want, I can ship you my fifty-page grant. Lots of good words in there, like "modular" and "relevant" and "collaboration" and I don't know what all.

Hmmmmm...... "modular".

I have to think on that one.

Modular.

Think, think, think.....



Andrea

[magenta321]

stylish
executive styled
finely-tooled (or crafted)
sturdy
professional
minimalist (c'est moi, style-wise)

that's about it for now... hope you can use some of them

[magenta321]

Oh, and precision (as in precision-crafted, precision-stitched)

[magenta321]

MULTIFUNCTION!
or a form of organization (organizational, organizing)

[pluckyduck]

Now, there are some words I can use. I've already beat the living daylights out of stylish, sturdy, and professional....but "minimalist" could come in darn handy.

I should have abused "precision" earlier. I like that word, like the way it sounds.

<---- there you go. I'll pay for "precision".

Andrea

[pluckyduck]

P.S. "Sleek" was three and four days ago. Don't even suggest "sleek". It was a blessing at first but I now gag at the sound.

Andrea

[magenta321]

<----- Keep your money. Your kindness is payment enough

Of course, the other side of minimalist might work for some of your kitchy (sp?) product lines... fun, ecclectic, fanciful, whimsical, etc.

[rich2003dm]

Oooh. I haven't used "rich" but once or twice today. I get to use a word at least 15 or 20 times before I can't stand it anymore.

Andrea [/b]

I hear, use, and even type that word at least a hundred times a day...every day. How do you think I feel?

Rich (Oops! There I go again.)

[pluckyduck]

Woo hoo. I'm out of the doldrums (Phantom Tollbooth reference!) now.

Black Ripstop PolyCanvas lends an edge to this padfolio with minimalist lines. Features zippered closure and interior organizer with gusseted file pocket. Includes 8 1/2" x 11"
writing pad.

God, I crack myself up.

Gluckenfartenfinglebum said in post #16 :


I hear, use, and even type that word at least a hundred times a day...every day. How do you think I feel?

Rich (Oops! There I go again.)

Darling, I thought of you when I wrote the word "rich" in the copy.

There's only one!

Andrea

[amykhar]

You need to find words with sexual connotations Hasn't anybody told you that sex sells?

Amy

[pluckyduck]

Amy said in post #18 :
You need to find words with sexual connotations Hasn't anybody told you that sex sells?

Amy

Okay, you make the technical specs of the decorating sexy. I'm waiting:

http://leedsworld.com/searchResults....10&screen_id=2

Andrea

[magenta321]

I dunno about sexy, but more words:
classic
euro (dunno why, but I notice that adjective a lot recently) or european (hey- I just noticed the name is Manchester too, so it ties in!!!)
efficient (efficiency) -- if you use the word you have to spell it better than I do, because I think I spelt it rong.
supple (ooh, that one is kind of sexy)
luxurious (could the leather be luxurious?)

I'm sure I'll be back with more words. I like this game

[magenta321]

Ok, I went researching on eLuxury.com because they make everything sound like something you should own So, here's some good action words and adjectives:

practical
elite
durable
"compact while offering all the advantages of larger models"
subtle
fashionable
"tucks discreetly into your handbag" (briefcase maybe?)
evokes a...
sumptuous

Here's a listing with a lot of good words:
http://www.eluxury.com/browse/produc...935&SectionID=

[pluckyduck]

Margaret, you are a true shopper. I'm going to bed now, but I'll be back to write more copy in the middle of the night. Durable, practical and subtle person that I am.

Andrea