Ocean Crest Creative

Tag: Copywriter

  • Let’s Meet at the World Travel Market this November!

    World Travel Market 2015, ExCeL, London - General view, ExCeL entrance areaAre you heading to what is arguably the most important travel industry gathering of the year?  The 37th annual World Travel Market #WTMLDN is scheduled for 7 – 9 November 2016 and as president of Ocean Crest Creative, I wouldn’t miss it!  I’ve had the opportunity to attend the event nearly every year since I launched my business back in the early 90’s (I was actually featured on the front cover of their brochure one year).

    Held at London’s ExCeL exhibition and conference center every November, the meeting draws over 50,000 travel professionals from all corners of the globe.  I find “WTM” a must-attend-affair because it is frankly one-stop shopping.  It is a happening that guarantees the most up-to-date information along with a chance to catch-up with all the industry’s movers and shakers.  Over the years the event has grown from a relatively basic, cubicle-sized, stand oriented trade show, to a world-class affair featuring multi-level booths that have to be seen to be believed.

    As a professional copywriter with 32-years of experience in travel industry buzz creation, I look forward to sitting in on some the scheduled seminars.  Networking and meeting with those who are in need of a well-seasoned, travel wordsmith will also be right at the top of the priority list.

    If you are going to World Travel Market (#WTMLDN), let me know.  It would be a pleasure to catch-up!

  • Five Steps That Determine Copywriter Rates

    Five Steps That Determine Copywriter RatesCopywriters do so much more than key in text on a computer, and yet many who need them are often gobsmacked by what copywriters charge for their services.  To better understand copywriter pricing, it is best to appreciate what goes into the content creation process.  Here are five steps that determine copywriter rates.

    Info Harvesting

    Climbing all of your existing website and printed material is the perfect place for a copywriter to get to know you.  There they can immerse themselves in information about your organization’s products or services, get a feel for how you market and position yourself, grab a bird’s-eye view of your history, and even get a feel for who your competition may be.

    Good copywriters are curious by nature, so it should come as no surprise that a hardy conversation with you is also key to the info harvest process.   What are your project goals and what are essential ideas to be stressed?  Who’s going to consume what is produced?  What’s the call to action?  Since a coordinated marketing approach is commonly applied to copy, where will the content be utilized?

    Sandbox Time

    Before the actual writing begins, most copywriters like to do what is often referred to as a “creative brief.”  This is nothing more than a sketched out distillation of all the information garnered during the Info Harvesting stage.  This is the copywriter’s chance to ask the vital question, “Let me make sure that I heard you right.”

    Now, The Writing Begins

    With the raw material in place, now is where real copywriters earn their keep.  They will take all of your rough information, put into the hopper, grind it, ferment it, knead it, and carefully craft it into pure word art suitable for your needs.  This process will yield the first draft.

    Your Turn

    Now, it is your chance run through all of the copy and make sure that you like it, and if not, suggest changes.  In general, most copywriters will allow two or three rewrites of your draft at no additional charge.

    The Final Product

    Finally, after all of the work, the copy is yours.  So as you can see, copywriting is so much more than simple finger movements on a computer keyboard.  It is a real art form melded with a strong understanding and appreciation of how business works.  This also explains why most people do not have the skill set and natural talent to be a professional copywriter, so choose your writer carefully.

    Ocean Crest Creative is an imaginative word artist shop that builds handcrafted copywriting and content solutions. We specialize in serving those involved in travel and tourism, as well as others who demand personal and professional attention paid to their word-related needs.

  • Handcrafted Copy For The Travel Industry

    Handcrafted Copy What’s more exciting than the adventures inherent in wandering the globe?  How about the carefully constructed words that reflect those experiences?  That’s why we specialize in creating organic, handcrafted copy for the travel industry.  Ocean Crest Creative is the travel copywriting firm.

    For nearly three decades, Ocean Crest Creative has taken the stories of purveyors of travel – car rentals, parking companies, cruise lines & yacht charters, destinations, travel activities companies, hotels/resorts, travel services, travel agents, tour operators, trains, and airlines – and brought them to life.  In doing so, these companies have been able to tell the world their story.

    Over 75 Reason To Use A Travel Professional As Your Copywriter

    Since the firm’s inception in 1991, we have had the privilege and pleasure of being a part of the success of over seventy-five companies. All of these organizations have been quite unique. This has made our job an ever-changing adventure.

    Have a look at our Portfolio Page and let us know if we can create some beautiful Word Art for you!

  • Copywriting Contracts: The Retainer Bank System

    Copywriting Contracts: The Retainer Bank SystemWhen it comes to copywriting contracts, the “Retainer Bank System” is a great option for compensating your professional wordsmith. This method rewards those willing to commit to a long-term working partnership with an easy-to-understand, flexible payment program.

    Content Project Credits

    The Retainer Bank System works by utilizing a bank of Content Project Credits (CPCs). The first step is to identify what each Content Project Credit is worth. For example, one Content Project Credit may equal the creation of 400 -1000 words of text copy.

    Where Can You Use Your CPCs?

    In the Retainer Bank System, you can choose to apply your Content Project Credits to a number of projects. Target assignments might include:

    Articles
    Blog posts
    Brochures
    Email campaigns
    Internal Communications
    Newsletters
    Press releases
    Sales pages
    Service descriptions
    Website copy

    The Pricing Menu

    The reality is that most businesses have a greater need for content production some months, while others only merit small quantities of copy creation. The Retainer Bank System differs from other copywriting quote and contracting methods in that it accommodates this reality, and allows you to budget better for your needs. Content Project Credits are usually packaged into three options. The minimum monthly retainer amount is based on the smallest bundle of Content Project Credits.

    So, looking at the example below, if your copywriter elects to base their efforts on a rate of $350 per CPC, the monthly retainer would be $1,050, and you could choose to “bank” more credits for use that month as well.

    Option 1) Three Content Project Credits (CPCs) – $1,050 per month

    Option 2) Six Content Project Credits (CPCs) – $2,100 per month

    Option 3) Ten Content Project Credits (CPCs) – $3,500 per month

    Of course, if you need more credits in a given month, it is not usually a problem to add more. It really comes down to an individual copywriter’s work schedule.

    The Retainer Bank System is what we utilize here at Ocean Crest Creative and a wonderfully simple arrangement to work with. When we quote a prospective partner, we have the added advantage of looking at their particular needs, adjusting the Content Project Credit menu accordingly, and creating a customized plan.

    If you would like the experts in Retainer Bank System quoting and contracting to get something going for your organization, give us a shout!