In 15 years as a professional writer, primarily in journalism and now copywriting, this guerilla masterpiece is one of the most memorable I can recall.
Still cracks me up today and can help give you an insight into what witty, wordy people do for giggles when they’re bored.
It appeared not in the pages of the finest publications in the land, but against the formica clad backdrop of the staff kitchen in the Derry Journal office, circa 2008.
I wish I had written it (I didn’t), but glad I snapped this picture before it was taken down.
It is hard to define what elevated it to the position of being so memorable but, I think, it is brilliant in its simplicity.
It took the stern Health & Safety message on the left and distilled it into a language that would engage more with other witty, wordy types, which the place was full of. It not only managed to get the intended message across but got many more people to notice it at all!
It is a stellar example of writing for a target audience.
Whilst ‘Burny’ isn’t a sales message, web content or advertisement, it shows you can write, or re-write, a message to appeal to your audience for much better engagement. It got the message across in less words with more impact.
It is this type of focused writing that can greatly benefit a company’s online presence in getting noticed by the right audience. Particularly when a client has an idea they want to say about their business, but just need help crafting it for maximum effect to attract new business.
The right message, aimed at the right audience, at the right time, makes for stronger connections and greater impact.
‘Burny’ still raises a laugh from everyone who remembers it from the old Derry Journal office and that is well over a decade ago now, which shows the longevity strong copy can have.
I don’t know who you are, stealth Derry copywriting genius, but I salute you.
If you’d like to talk more about how copywriting, or any of our other services, get in touch via eamonn@glassmountain.ie or call +353 87 247 8187.
Many thanks
Eamonn