Bob Bly: Copywriter

In today's economy, it pays to make every marketing communication count. But do yours?

From time to time, you’ve probably felt the need for help in planning, creating, and implementing effective direct mail, advertising, and public relations programs. For example, maybe you need advice and assistance in:

Converting more leads to sales
Generating more inquiries from print advertising
Determining which vertical industries or narrow target markets to pursue
Producing effective sales brochures, catalogs, case histories, and other marketing literature
Writing and placing press releases, feature stories, and other publicity materials
Creating response-getting direct mail offers, packages, and campaigns
Designing, writing, and producing a company newsletter
Or any of dozens of other marketing problems.

Maybe you've felt that the usual sources of assistance—freelancers, advertising agencies, and PR firms—were not focused on solving your particular problems, lacked the specific knowledge you require, didn't understand your product or service, charged unreasonable prices, or were not interested in your project because they wanted all your business.

Or maybe you just want some occasional guidance and assistance, and prefer to handle
most of your marketing communications in-house.

Now there's a service designed especially to help you—

Marketing Communications Planning, Strategy, and Consultation

From Bob Bly—Copywriter/Consultant/Seminar Leader

Here are some questions prospective clients typically ask me—and the answers:

What is the Marketing Communications Planning, Strategy, and Consultation Service? This is a service which assists small- and medium-size firms in planning, creating, and implementing effective advertising, marketing, direct mail, publicity, and promotional programs. I act as your ongoing adviser, answering your questions, making recommendations, and providing whatever help you need to market and promote your product or service successfully.

How does it work? My service is flexible and available to you on whatever basis meets your needs. You can hire me by the project, by the day, by the hour, or on a flexible retainer basis. While I am happy to use our time in any way you like, I will always advise you on how I think you will get the best results for your money.

What is discussed between us? The topics range from the general to the specific. You can ask me basic information about direct mail or any other topic you want to know more about; or we can deal with the nuts-and-bolts specifics of any project you have in mind.

How is the service rendered? Most of my clients prefer to work by mail, phone, and fax. However, I am available to meet with you at your office or mine, and a number of my clients use a combination of face-to-face meetings and telephone conferences.

What aspects of marketing communications are you expert in? About 50 percent of my business is planning and writing direct mail campaigns. The rest involves planning and creating a wide assortment of marketing materials and programs including ads, brochures, feature articles, slide presentations, film and videotape scripts, press releases, newsletters, catalogs, case histories, annual reports, product guides, manuals, and speeches—in short, whatever you need to help you sell more of your products and services.

What are some of the specific services you provide for clients? Clients have hired me to create marketing and advertising plans; review and discuss ongoing marketing activities; make recommendations on new ways to effectively market existing products and services; review and critique ads, mailings, and other marketing documents; plan and write direct mail campaigns; train in-house staff in copywriting and marketing; and simply be available to provide input, answer questions, or bounce around ideas.

For more information on our consulting methodology, click here

What size companies do you work with? I work with small firms, medium-size companies, and divisions of large corporations. My service can be tailored to the complexity of your program and the size of your budget.

Do you actually implement recommendations? I am a copywriter and consultant, not an ad agency or design studio. I create marketing strategies and write copy, but I do not design, print, or produce the piece. If you need art or production services, I will refer you to qualified vendors in my network with whom you can work directly. This gives you greater control, faster delivery, and eliminates costly mark-ups on their services. I will be happy to review any work done for you by these or any other vendors you use (for example, many clients mail or fax rough layouts to me for comment before the next step in the production process).

Who will handle my account? All services are provided directly by Bob Bly. Mr. Bly is a well-known copywriter and consultant specializing in business-to-business and direct marketing. He has consulted with—and written copy for—more than 100 organizations including On-Line Software, Timeplex, Convergent Solutions, JMW Consultants, Associated Air Freight, Sony Corporation, Yourdon Inc., American Medical Collection Agency, Grumman, GE Solid State, and Philadelphia National Bank. He is the author of 45 books including How to Promote Your Own Business (New American Library),Ads That Sell(Asher Gallant), The Copywriter's Handbook (Henry Holt & Co.), Create the Perfect Sales Piece (John Wiley), Direct Mail Profits (Asher Gallant), and Selling Your Services(Henry Holt & Co.). A client list and publications catalog are available upon request.

What is the cost of Bob Bly’s marketing consultation services? Consulting is billed at $500 an hour against a $10,000 retainer; unused time may be applied toward copywriting projects.

Why would an organization choose Bob Bly's Marketing Communications Planning, Strategy, and Consultation Service over hiring a full-service agency? For at least three good reasons:

Cost. Most agencies won’t help you unless they get your whole account and you spend at least $50,000 to $75,000 a year with them. I will help you solve your marketing problems within whatever budget constraints you set.
Results. Because my orientation is toward results, not aesthetics, many clients report an immediate increase in leads and sales after using my services. (Client testimonials available upon request.)
Education. As we work together, I teach you my techniques and strategies for boosting marketing communications effectiveness—so, over time, you learn to do more and more on your own.

What's the next step? Please call me at (201) 385-1220 to discuss how we can solve your most pressing marketing problems. Be sure to request your free Marketing Communications Audit, too.