Life and the pursuit of...

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Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:11:00 -0500

The Follow was written for Inboun Marketing, where I am currently a summer associate.

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 20:49:00 -0500

The job of a copywriter is to be creative—that’s why they call it creative writing in the first place!

But is the word “copy” in “copywriter” being taken more and more literally? Perhaps so.

Clichés in themselves are clichés. Saying something is cliché is unoriginal. Just about every article title starts “Top 10 Ways” or “Tips & Tricks”. Sure, they are informative, but in all honesty…they’re boring. The titles aren’t the only blasé aspect of copywriting; general phrases are afflicted as well. As like any human, you don’t know something is wrong until someone else points it out. And Inboun is here to point out the obvious to you. We’ve provided two short of a dozen sayings that are overused and need to be put on the shelf for a while. We give you the top 10 cliché phrases of all time:

“It is easy as pie”: Last time I checked, pie isn’t easy to make (unless it’s store-bought from the grocery store!). Not only is this cliché phrase totally confusing, but it is also very much outdated. “Easy as pie” replacement:“Like napping on a Sunday, it is effortless.”“Like hotcakes”: If I knew where hotcakes were sold, I’d wager that the owner would be ashamed to disclose the sales figures. Think about it: hotcakes haven’t been in high demand since the great depression. “Like hotcakes” replacement: “Like an iPhone on release day.”“It’s gut check time”: In sports, a gut check is defined as a striking blow to the mid-section to verify if you’re still able to compete. In the real world this can be constituted as battery. “Gut check” replacement: “If you’re not ready, quit now.”“Don’t re-invent the wheel”: Honestly, who is sitting in their garage trying to re-invent the wheel? Sure, you can re-imagine the wheel and even create new materials that can be used in the composition of a wheel. But when it comes to the invention of the wheel, it is pretty standard. “Reinvent the wheel replacement”: “Don’t waste your time rebooting a movie that was better to begin with.”“It is revolutionary”: We live in an age where words are thrown around despite their true meaning. If something is truly revolutionary, it should have a major and sudden impact on society. The iPhone is an example of something that was an innovation based off of other products. Something cool? Yes. Something that changed society? For its customers, without a doubt. But it was a culmination of ideas and technologies that had already been around. “Revolutionary” replacement: “It is an evolutionary innovation.”“It is the Cadillac/Rolls Royce of…”: What is the use in comparing a product with one that is in no way similar? Sure these brands evoke a product of superb quality, but it’s redundant. Toyota isn’t calling its Prius the “Cadillac of Hybrids”, are they? “Cadillac/Rolls Royce” replacement: “The effort and care put into_______ is hard to be matched.”“Once in a lifetime”: This cliché implies that there are some experiences that can happen more than once. Everything is once in a lifetime. It’s paradoxical. No experience is ever exactly the same. Every moment in life is unique; you’re always older than your previous self, everything that is happening is always new and will never be duplicated. “Once in a lifetime” replacement: “A unique occasion.”“Think outside of the box”: I’ve never, nor have I met anyone who has, encountered this proverbial “box”. The idea of the box is a reference to general common thought. I get that. But this idiom is like beating a dead horse (oops! See #10! Even I’m guilty every once and awhile). “Outside the box” replacement: “Explore an independent realm of opinion.”“The best kept secret”: Add a “T” and drop the “M” from the word “idiom” and you have the type of person that relies on this statement. If you aspire to make a profit off of your business, why would you keep it from the masses? What could’ve been said: “The best you didn’t know about yet.”“Beating a dead horse”: I hope by now you’re in on the joke. Clichés are used simply because they’re easy. These phrases were once original, but because everyone enjoyed using them so much, they’ve lost the zing they once had. So let’s avoid beating the dead horse and instead…“Beating a dead horse” replacement: “being redundant.”

There are many other expressions that have been overused or become dated. These clichés surface because we, as a species, tend to use something up until we become tired of it. Moderation isn’t our forte—though we know the definition, we’ve yet to apply its meaning.

From now on when writing, don’t be afraid to give your copy a gut check. It’s as easy as pie to revolutionize certain clichés. When you’re creating new phrases, it’ll be like you’re re-inventing the wheel on the Cadillac of copy writing. In the long run you’ll be glad you did. After all, followers tend to read articles that are outside of the box. Before you know it, your copy will be selling like hotcakes. Plus, enjoyable writing is something to take pride in. So much pride even, you may want to keep it a secret. However, hiding your talents can make you feel like you’re just beating a dead horse.

#KCCO

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 14:18:37 -0500

#KCCO

KC #Royals summer tank top concept design three.

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:02:10 -0500

KC #Royals summer tank top concept design three.

KC #Royals summer tank top concept design two.

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:01:42 -0500

KC #Royals summer tank top concept design two.

KC #Royals summer tank top concept design one.

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:01:18 -0500

KC #Royals summer tank top concept design one.

Another ode to Sporting Kansas City

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:54:08 -0600

Another ode to Sporting Kansas City

Done Fall 2011 for Sporting KC’s playoff run.

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:53:14 -0600

Done Fall 2011 for Sporting KC’s playoff run.

An Ode to one of my favorite beers. Hipsers drink because its...

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:36:19 -0600

An Ode to one of my favorite beers. Hipsers drink because its ironic. I drink It cause it taste good.

Daniel kelley

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:48:54 -0600

Daniel kelley

What lets more black guys score, The basketball goals at NBA All Star weekend or Kim Kardashian?

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:58:22 -0600

Trick question: Both number’s are constantly on the rise.

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Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:39:35 -0600

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:42:56 -0600

I call it “Dog on couch”.

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:49:00 -0600

I call it “Dog on couch”.

It is Simply Beautiful

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:58:12 -0600

CAMP- Childish Gambino

It truly is just Beautiful, the production is top notch. Extremely intelligent lyrics, all full with heart and passion. I haven’t listened to an album in a long time and been like “wow, this is beautiful music.” Donald Glover a.k.a Childish Gambino is one of the most talented people on earth. I think He’s really funny as an actor and comedian. But with this new album He truly is an artist. which is something That Can’t be said about many music makers now-a-days. The explicit tag is put to use heavily so if your not a fan of excessive language, find an edited copy if you can. Otherwise buy it, pour yourself a drink and sit back and listen to in my opinion the album of the year. It’s Beautiful.

My favorite songs are “Heartbeat” “Kids” & “All the Shine”. But all the songs are amazing. If you like Rap That Goes Hard, CAMP has it. If you Like hearing instruments 808’s and hard bass, CAMP Has plenty. If you like rap that isn’t about trying to make it “big”, “tryna blowin up”, or “Racks upon, Racks upon, Racks” you guessed it CAMP Has It.

You can go listen to CAMP for free here. After You do that go buy it on iTunes or your nearest record store. Which is what I did. Yup the first physical CD I’ve bought in probably a decade.

If you Like camp then I strongly suggest you go get the rest of Mr. Glover’s catalog. As well as start listening to the best White Rapper around “Macklemore” from Seattle.

These are the Words I live by.

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 01:02:04 -0500

These are the Words I live by.

"I Do Not Get Drunk— I Get Awesome."

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:42:06 -0500

“I Do Not Get Drunk— I Get Awesome.”

- Unknown

Alright Zuck! I get it You Want Me to Interact with People

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:03:52 -0500

It’s a game of Chess and We’re forced to choose who we are rooting for. Google came out with Google+, which if you weren’t paying attention at first don’t worry your not really missing anything. It’s like that new bar that you hear about how awesome it is, and how many people go there. But when you finally get there you realize hardly anybody you know is there, and the people you do know just keep talking about how much they like the regular bar better.

But where were we, G+ came out and a week later Facebook announced what the intentions of their recent deal with skype were. To match G+ huddles FB hyped up their already available group messaging. Along with that came the big news, Free Skype video calls through FB without having to have a skype account!

Now, G+ still has the upper hand as far as the technology side goes, But the way I see it FB is really winning because they have the way larger user base. Which they keep, despite how many people complain “the new layout sucks”. What they lack in aesthetics they make up for in user friendlyness.

Now with the background story out of the way Here is Today’s Big News! Facebook has released a completely dedicated FB mobile messaging app. Full Details HERE. Quick rundown; available for iOS and Android, Easy ability to create chat groups on the go. The Ability to share your location on a map with friends which you can also turn off if privacy is your “thing”. Keeps an on going history of your messages, as well as offers improved alert support. Because one thing that chaps my knuckles is when someone messages me and I feel like a dick because FB didn’t notify me until an hour later when I pull my phone out of my pocket, check the FB app, and then it’s like your stoner roommate, “Oh, Hey your mom called, something about what is a poke?”

So now we wait to see what Google will put out next to give Zuck the finger. It’s an ongoing battle of social networks in which we are compelled to be apart of. On the bright side, we get to reap the benefits of new technology that will take over our lives.

"Change that shirt, it looks like you’re going to a bi-sexual paintball game."

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:48:04 -0500

“Change that shirt, it looks like you’re going to a bi-sexual paintball game.”

- -Bob Miller Sr.

Wait?... What? @GBChallengeKC

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:30:00 -0500

Wait?... What? @GBChallengeKC:

Do you think you have a great start up idea, but don’t have the means to make it happen, then prove it! @GBChallengeKC